You really have to be in the right mindset for the challenge. For book lovers, it's equivalent to what a championship fight is for boxers. I've done the challenge twice before and done ok. 2024 for me has been horrid and incredibly stressful, so i knew i couldn't do it this year. I also agree that its a really bad time of year to start it. I think February would be a good time to start and end at Easter. Also, try to stop feeling guilty for something that brings you such joy. As long as it isn't putting you under financial stress, then its ok to get things you are going to love and enjoy.
Thanks for all your thoughts on this. I do think that doing it another time of the year would make it much easier to challenge me but also not make it a painful experience.
Aha , sounds like you found the part of the challenge that is really helpful: to put something on a wishlist and not buying right away (unless you want them right away!). That is a super helpful thing to know. And going to the library is a great way to enjoy without spending, for the times where that is a good thing to do. Or to embrace mood reading ! Sounds like the challenge was helpful to figure some things out, but also pretty stressful! Hopefully taking the helpful part and leaving the stressful part is a good way to go. Plus, you already have your twice a year bookshelf cull that sounds like it works well for you! I appreaciated hearing your thoughts on the challenge both here and in the vlog. Sounds like you came to some good decisions.
You need to stop feeling guilty for buying books. You work hard. You have the right to do what you want with your money. If you want to do a Read What You Own Challenge, you can make it your own, and May, November and December are out. For me the problem is impulse buying. I need to get that under control. I am trying to be more aware of what I want on my shelves and what I can check out at the library. Right now, I won't have the local library as a source because it is closed until 2026 for renovations. Thank you for making this video because it does help to know other book lovers have this problem and can give ideas on what to do about it. Take care and happy reading!
If I HAVE to buy, I have a list and I make it doable to buy the top 2 or 3. My priority list can change every single day, or stay the same for a week or two. I'll usually choose a book in a series and one off of my radar. I can unhaul without regret, especially if I can get it at the library. I only keep the series I will re read several times. My tbr lists save me. I have zero special additions. I do not ever pre order. ❤ great advise 😺 😻
Okay, some random thoughts. I think you're a victim of FOMO. Both for books AND events. Often, during your book hauls, you mention that you purchased something because "everyone was talking about it." Classic FOMO. This happens to everyone. Although, I must admit when you say that, it drives me nuts because I have no clue who you're talking about because i don't follow the same people you do! ☺️ I also don't read most of what you do; I just enjoy your channel. We like the same genres, but not the same sub genres. Anyway, you're being influenced by the social media accounts you follow and it sometimes shows in your purchases. My guess is if you limited some of your social media time, your purchases might drop. At least those types of purchases. Just a thought. Now another thing that book tube is great at is holding events. Love then or hate them, they're constantly coming up on our calendars and we want to participate. Often they are timed and we throw ourselves wholeheartedly into the event knowing that it will be over fairly quickly. You gotta read it NOW!!!! You want to see results! Cram those graphic novels down and snarf those novellas like Ding Dongs. It's a crash diet. Maybe i shouldn't mention Ding Dongs and crash diets in the same sentence, but you get what I mean. 😅. Personally, I can't approach the Read What You Own Challenge like a crash diet. If there are too many restrictions, you're setting yourself up to fail. It isn't a race, it's a way to look at your current habits and ask some questions of yourself . Do you think you buy too many books? Would you like to read more of what you buy in a current year? Do you need to put the brakes on? If you answer yes to any of those questions, then you can chose to do something about it. But not by yanking the emergency brake so hard you ruin your transmission. And you don't have to do it on anybody else's timetable besides your own. If you're looking for long term results, you need to make changes you can live with. It's the same thing with changing food habits or getting more exercise. Consistency is what you're looking for. Slow and steady wins the race. Cut yourself some slack and and make you're own rules. You'll be happier for it and maybe you'll find some gems on your shelves that you're currently ignoring. You don't always need to keep up with the Jones's.
Wow! I didn't think about the fact that I probably am watching or looking at too much social media. I've made it my main evening activity to watch Booktube for hours while I read here and there. I think you're correct that I should cut back a bit on that just so I'm not overly influenced to join everything or get a book everyone is talking about. I like the analogy about diets and ding dongs. That is definitely something that I understand and have seen happen to other creators. Also I might feel I buy too many books sometimes, but it is something that I love and it's my money. It's not like I'm overspending and hurting myself financially. I did take away an idea about not instantly buying something I see and I hope I can be more intentional with my buying. Thank you so much for your thoughts on this. I really appreciate the perspective.
You really have to be in the right mindset for the challenge. For book lovers, it's equivalent to what a championship fight is for boxers.
I've done the challenge twice before and done ok.
2024 for me has been horrid and incredibly stressful, so i knew i couldn't do it this year. I also agree that its a really bad time of year to start it. I think February would be a good time to start and end at Easter. Also, try to stop feeling guilty for something that brings you such joy. As long as it isn't putting you under financial stress, then its ok to get things you are going to love and enjoy.
Thanks for all your thoughts on this. I do think that doing it another time of the year would make it much easier to challenge me but also not make it a painful experience.
No challenge is worth stressing over 😊 and you took out quite a number of books from the shelves 👍🏻
Thanks! I feel a lot better now! I’m glad the challenge done.
Aha , sounds like you found the part of the challenge that is really helpful: to put something on a wishlist and not buying right away (unless you want them right away!). That is a super helpful thing to know. And going to the library is a great way to enjoy without spending, for the times where that is a good thing to do. Or to embrace mood reading ! Sounds like the challenge was helpful to figure some things out, but also pretty stressful! Hopefully taking the helpful part and leaving the stressful part is a good way to go. Plus, you already have your twice a year bookshelf cull that sounds like it works well for you! I appreaciated hearing your thoughts on the challenge both here and in the vlog. Sounds like you came to some good decisions.
Thanks! I am glad I’ve realized some good and bad things about this challenge in the end. And I did do my December cull so that’s one thing done. 😂
You need to stop feeling guilty for buying books. You work hard. You have the right to do what you want with your money. If you want to do a Read What You Own Challenge, you can make it your own, and May, November and December are out. For me the problem is impulse buying. I need to get that under control. I am trying to be more aware of what I want on my shelves and what I can check out at the library. Right now, I won't have the local library as a source because it is closed until 2026 for renovations. Thank you for making this video because it does help to know other book lovers have this problem and can give ideas on what to do about it. Take care and happy reading!
Thanks! I appreciate your comments! I do think I might try a version of this challenge at another time of year. Thanks!
If I HAVE to buy, I have a list and I make it doable to buy the top 2 or 3. My priority list can change every single day, or stay the same for a week or two. I'll usually choose a book in a series and one off of my radar. I can unhaul without regret, especially if I can get it at the library. I only keep the series I will re read several times.
My tbr lists save me. I have zero special additions. I do not ever pre order.
❤ great advise 😺 😻
I like the idea of priority lists! I think I might need to think of what I really want but not just in the moment. Thanks for the advice!
June and July, and February and March for low buy 💪 📚
Also good ideas! Thanks!
I support your book buying habits! You get to decide how to spend your money! No guilt!
Thanks! I do need to stop feeling guilty for the way I spend my money.
Okay, some random thoughts. I think you're a victim of FOMO. Both for books AND events. Often, during your book hauls, you mention that you purchased something because "everyone was talking about it." Classic FOMO. This happens to everyone. Although, I must admit when you say that, it drives me nuts because I have no clue who you're talking about because i don't follow the same people you do! ☺️ I also don't read most of what you do; I just enjoy your channel. We like the same genres, but not the same sub genres.
Anyway, you're being influenced by the social media accounts you follow and it sometimes shows in your purchases. My guess is if you limited some of your social media time, your purchases might drop. At least those types of purchases. Just a thought.
Now another thing that book tube is great at is holding events. Love then or hate them, they're constantly coming up on our calendars and we want to participate. Often they are timed and we throw ourselves wholeheartedly into the event knowing that it will be over fairly quickly. You gotta read it NOW!!!! You want to see results! Cram those graphic novels down and snarf those novellas like Ding Dongs. It's a crash diet. Maybe i shouldn't mention Ding Dongs and crash diets in the same sentence, but you get what I mean. 😅. Personally, I can't approach the Read What You Own Challenge like a crash diet. If there are too many restrictions, you're setting yourself up to fail. It isn't a race, it's a way to look at your current habits and ask some questions of yourself . Do you think you buy too many books? Would you like to read more of what you buy in a current year? Do you need to put the brakes on? If you answer yes to any of those questions, then you can chose to do something about it. But not by yanking the emergency brake so hard you ruin your transmission. And you don't have to do it on anybody else's timetable besides your own. If you're looking for long term results, you need to make changes you can live with. It's the same thing with changing food habits or getting more exercise. Consistency is what you're looking for. Slow and steady wins the race. Cut yourself some slack and and make you're own rules. You'll be happier for it and maybe you'll find some gems on your shelves that you're currently ignoring. You don't always need to keep up with the Jones's.
Wow! I didn't think about the fact that I probably am watching or looking at too much social media. I've made it my main evening activity to watch Booktube for hours while I read here and there. I think you're correct that I should cut back a bit on that just so I'm not overly influenced to join everything or get a book everyone is talking about. I like the analogy about diets and ding dongs. That is definitely something that I understand and have seen happen to other creators. Also I might feel I buy too many books sometimes, but it is something that I love and it's my money. It's not like I'm overspending and hurting myself financially. I did take away an idea about not instantly buying something I see and I hope I can be more intentional with my buying. Thank you so much for your thoughts on this. I really appreciate the perspective.