
A Thousand Lives Through Words: The Therapy of Reading and Writing
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George R.R. Martin once wrote, “A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies.” Honestly, truer words have never been written. As a passionate reader and a writer myself, I’ve not only lived those thousand lives but reveled in every single one of them. Books have become my lifeline, my sanctuary, and my greatest form of self-care.
There’s something downright therapeutic about getting lost in the pages of a story. Whether it’s escaping to a magical fantasy world filled with dragons, kingdoms, and epic quests or immersing myself in the rollercoaster of emotions that come with a contemporary romance (I’ll admit, I prefer my happy endings), books are my coping mechanism for real life.
Life can be beautiful, but let’s face it, it’s also exhausting. Between the demands of work, bills to pay, and the responsibilities that stack up like an unending to-do list, the idea of “getting away” can seem like a far-off dream. Vacations aren’t always practical when you’ve got a job to do or a tight budget to manage. But here’s the beauty of a book: it doesn’t require airfare, PTO, or extravagant planning. With just a few pages, you’re whisked away to another dimension, another time, or even another life.
And that’s what I love most. Opening a book means stepping into someone else’s shoes and seeing the world through their eyes. It means feeling their joys, their struggles, and their triumphs without ever leaving your couch. It’s an escape that doesn’t just help you forget your worries for a while; it revitalizes your soul.
As an author, I’ve been fortunate enough to create these worlds for myself and others, and it’s a privilege I don’t take lightly. But as a reader, I get to dive into countless stories crafted by other brilliant minds. Both experiences are healing in their own way. Writing allows me to pour out my thoughts and emotions onto the page, while reading helps me refill my creative and emotional well.
For me, books are more than entertainment : they’re a lifeline. So the next time you’re feeling overwhelmed by life’s chaos, I encourage you to pick up a book. Step into a fantasy realm, walk the bustling streets of a romance, or dive headfirst into the intrigue of a mystery. Escape for a while. Live another life. And come back feeling a little lighter, a little stronger, and a lot more inspired.
After all, isn’t that the magic of a good story?
So grab your book passport, my little Hexies/Hexagonians, and as Bilbo Baggins said, “I think I am quite ready for another adventure!”