Anxiety, Books and Libraries.. let's chat about how they are connected 📚😩

[@ellenmadebookclub]

Thank you so much for being so open and honest and vulnerable, and sharing your story. I’m so sorry you were put through that, that sounds horrifying (as an adult and as a kid) and I definitely relate to things like that leaving scars. I never had a teacher like yours, but I remember vividly in first grade when I came to class and we showed our homework at the door. And I was so excited because I had enjoyed my homework so much and finished all the way to page 37 in my book (how telling that I remember then exact page…) and the teacher got furious and yelled at me for doing too much homework! She had apparently circled a few page numbers and I was supposed to understand that I should only do those. I had just enjoyed doing it, which you would think was a good thing. My mother luckily understood me and was very angry at my teacher for that, so I think I’ve thought of that memory as just a weird thing that happened once. But I think it had a bigger impact on me than I realized, and I can’t explain all that in a comment 😂 But I just wanted to share something and let you know that you’re not alone. I still look for safe zones wherever I am and everything you said about the library rings very true for me, you can sit and be quiet and no one will will bother you. Bliss! If I ever come across a book that’s helpful to me, I’ll let you know. Thank you again for sharing, that takes a lot of strength and courage. 💜

[@TheLibraryMouseGina]

I think back to small things that have a huge impact and at the time, people don't think about the marks that can be left on someone's psyche. If you had been in my class, I would have definitely let you know how proud I was of going above and beyond. :) Besides a library, I always feel being in nature is a safe zone for me too.

[@ellenmadebookclub]

@@TheLibraryMouseGina You are so right. As kids we don’t know how to interpret things and distance ourselves from it either, so we just take it on. Thank you for saying that, I’ll try to replace my memory with you as my teacher instead! That would have been a much better response! I didn’t even go above and beyond, I didn’t even realize there was a limit! I just had fun with it. So I think encouraging that would have been so powerful. Thank you again for sharing 💜

[@sueysbookbanter]

Awesome chat! I can relate for sure. Makes me so mad for you about that awful teacher. Ugh. I feel like I really lucked out with awesome school experiences and loved pretty much every minute. I am also feeling mad about the doctor that said you should take up running. What the heck? Anyway, yay for libraries! And reading and books!

[@Littlebiglibrary]

Bless your Heart Ms. Gina. That is so sad to hear. I am so sorry that you had to go through that. Teachers have such a big influence on our lives. My grandson this year had a Teacher show them a video about the Solar Eclipse. At one point in the video it says that you could loose your eyesight by looking at the sun. Now my grandson has a fear of going outside and the sun being out! He runs to the car and then runs from the car to the house. He is scared of going blind. He won't go outside if the sun is shining. And no one can tell him otherwise. I don't know what's going to happen next week when school starts. He's in Fifth grade. I have no books to recommend. But thank you for sharing. I pray that you will feel better and get everything under control. -James

[@TheLibraryMouseGina]

Aw I'm so sorry to hear about your grandson and now his fear of the sun. I wonder if you got him some cool sunglasses he would be willing to start going outside again? Thanks so much for your kind words too. :)

[@Littlebiglibrary]

​@@TheLibraryMouseGina. I don't know what's going to happen with my grandson. I'm not sure he would wear sunglasses but I don't know why no one has thought of that. I will keep you posted.

[@Maeve_Ever_Books]

I really appreciate you filming this. I feel so seen. Thank you thank you!

[@TheLibraryMouseGina]

I'm glad that it resonates with you. It is always good to know other people feel the same way!

[@books_and_bocadillos]

Gina, I have so many thoughts...too much to share in a comment, but gosh how I wish we could have a cup of tea together and chat about anxiety and books and reading. I will distill my thoughts down to just one. I have the opposite response to anxiety. When I am at my most anxious, I am gravitating to horror/thriller... something that makes my heart racing feel "justified" and maybe also the hope that seeing others overcome horror and the worst calamaties might make me feel less alone and more hopeful.

[@TheLibraryMouseGina]

Well a cup of tea and discussing books and anxiety and all the feels, sounds wonderful. :) It is interesting that you read horror for the opposite reason. I have never tried that before.. maybe I should.

[@Littlebiglibrary]

On a positive note. I Love the intro of your videos. Very nice.

[@TheLibraryMouseGina]

Thanks so much... trying to be a little creative. lol

[@Littlebiglibrary]

Hello Ms. Gina. I hope that you are well. I also wish you a Happy Weekend! -James & Bella!

[@TheLibraryMouseGina]

Thanks James and Bella! I am doing great. How is your grandson doing with his fear of the sun?

[@mylittleruralhomestead]

Rain? What's that? lol...I have never suffered from anxiety, though I have had moments where I have been anxious. I have read that stress can be a contributing factor to anxiety. Your third grade teacher should have been fired! It's surprising you became a teacher after having him as a teacher. Libraries are definitely the best. They can be so relaxing IMO.

[@TheLibraryMouseGina]

This rain was rare occurrence, and it didn’t last very long. And the sun came out and it was hot! Yes, I really don’t know how that teacher was not fired, but he was not. My elementary Facebook group talks about him all the time. I can’t imagine what it would feel like to not feel anxious everyday lol.