Tag Archives: Steph Beth Nickel

Books, Books, and More Books (guest post)

Books, Books, and More Books

by Steph Beth Nickel

My now-grown kiddos pretty much wore out one of the Berenstain Bear movies. In it, Sister Bear sang the song “I Want It All.”

Of course, the point of the story wasn’t that she should get everything she wanted. But when it comes to books, too often I’m like Sister Bear.

Fiction. Nonfiction. Audiobooks. E-books. Physical books. Quick reads. Massive tomes. And on and on and on.

While I’m seeking to exercise some modicum of self-control, I always have several books on the go at once.

At the risk of encouraging you to add more books to your already overflowing TBR pile, I’d like to share some highlights of some of the books I’m currently reading.

Audiobooks

I consume these most frequently because it doesn’t matter how “crispy” my eyes are, I can read. Among others, I’m currently reading the following:

The fourth edition of Joanna Penn’s Successful Self-Publishing

Becca Syme’s Dear Writer, You Need to Quit

Diann Mills’ Canyon of Deceit, a fast-paced Christian suspense story

Lindsay A. Franklin’s Story Peddler, an intriguing fantasy novel

E-books

When I first started collecting e-books, I had to remind myself that I owned them. As the saying goes, “Out of sight, out of mind.” However, I have found it incredibly handy to carry around several hundred books wherever I go. With my propensity to have multiple books on the go at once, this is the perfect solution. (I pretty much have very book-reading app available on my phone.) I have several nonfiction books on the go, among them:

Johnny B. Truant’s latest book, The Artisan Author, his response to the “rapid release” movement.

Lori Morrison’s She Shepherds, encouraging women to step into the leadership roles God has equipped them for in their homes, workplaces, and churches

From editors Susy Flory and Scott Johanningsmeier, Jesus Was: Not What We Expected But Better Than We Imagined

Michele Cushatt’s I Am, which explores 60 identifiers that God assigns to His children throughout His Word

Physical Books

Like most readers, I love physical books. And although I’ve given away several hundred in my lifetime, I still have many on my shelves (and packed away in boxes that we will be taking with us when we move). And the current trend of creating beautiful books with sprayed and painted edges and gorgeous endpapers in both the front and back of numerous volumes entices me to add some of the most appealing to my collection. For now, I must get back to the following nonfiction works that I’ve begun:

Myquillyn Smilth’s House Rules: How to Decorate for Every Home, Style, and Budget

Orna A. Ross’s Creative Self-Publishing: ALLi’s Guide to Independent Publishing for Authors and Poets

John Truby’s The Anatomy of Genres: How Story Forms Explain the Way the World Works

Alex Temblador’s Writing An Identity Not Your Own: A Guide for Creative Writers

How about you? Do you have multiple books on the go, or do you read one from beginning to end before picking up another?

Do you prefer audiobooks, e-books, or physical books? What do you find are the advantages and disadvantages of each?

Have you read any of the books on my list? Are there any you’ve read recently that you would categorize as Must-Reads?

Happy Reading, All!

Photo credit: Jaime Mellor Photography

As an editor, Steph Beth Nickel has the honour of coming alongside writers to help them polish their work. As the coauthor of Paralympian Deb Willows’s memoirs, Steph has been blessed to work with this amazing woman. And as a future self-published author, with the Lord’s help, Steph has taken brave steps toward publication.

If you would like more information about her services, you can contact her at stephbethnickelediting@gmail.com.

You’re invited to visit her website: http://stephbethnickeleditor.com/.

You can join her Editing Tips Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/418423519384351.

Happy New Year (Guest Post)

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Happy New Year

The word "September" in a pretty font, with coloured maple leaves above and a drawn fern frond below. — Image credit: Pixabay

by Steph Beth Nickel

No, it’s not January 1. Nor do I have school-aged children. However, I do view September as a New Year of sorts.

Truth be told, autumn is my favourite season. Cooler temperatures. Cozy sweaters. Cute boots.

A white mug with a frothy drink is held by someone whose sweater sleeves are pulled over their hands. In the background is an open book with scattered autumn leaves. — Image by Melk Hagelslag from Pixabay

But more importantly, at least in my neck of the woods, the trees show off the Creator’s . . . well, His creativity.

And the smells of autumn and the crunch of dry leaves underfoot . . .

Love. Love. Love.

Because kids are headed back to school and the summer routine is drawing to a close, plus because we have an entire third of the year left to accomplish our goals, it does feel like a new beginning.

So, Happy New Year.

What’s on my list of “New Year’s resolutions”?

Since my hubby retired at the end of March and we’re planning to move west next year, Lord willing, it’s time to seriously buckle down and declutter. This will make the renos to our century home much easier. (And there are a fair few needed before we put the house on the market.)

It’s also time to keep up with my editing projects. I’m so thankful they’ve been steady but not overwhelming this year.

And what about writing?

Well, I did spend several hours attending a free online writers’ summit last week. So, I am once again inspired to get back to my YA spec fic novel.

And my collections of devotionals on the gospel of John.

And, most importantly, Deb Willows’s second memoir. (We’re getting close to having it ready to fire off to the publisher.)

Like any good list of resolutions, developing healthier habits is also one of my priorities. Walking more, eating more veggies and fruit, and drinking more water are at the top of the list. I’d love to do more resistance training as well. But better not to take on too much at once. That’s how resolutions fizzle and fail.

So, how about you?

What are your New Year’s (aka fall and winter) goals?

Do you view September as a new beginning if not a new year?

If you could only achieve one of your goals before December 31, what would it be?

Photo credit: Jaime Mellor Photography

If you would like more information about her services, you can contact her at stephbethnickelediting@gmail.com.

You’re invited to visit her website: http://stephbethnickeleditor.com/.

You can join her Editing Tips Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/418423519384351.

Consider the Alternatives (Guest Post)

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Two 3-D generic human figures, palms raised, considering what to do with a large 3-D word: OPTIONS. — Image by Peggy und Marco Lachmann-Anke from Pixabay

Consider the Alternatives

by Steph Beth Nickel

There’s a time to press on toward a goal and a time to consider alternatives. This applies to our writing, as it does to other pursuits.

I find myself debating whether I should edit and indie publish a series of devotionals I originally wrote and recorded for HopeStreamRadio a decade ago, when it first launched. For years, I’ve thought I would offer it as an ebook and a print-on-demand physical book, but now I’m reconsidering my options.

I have notes from two beta readers which I will review no matter how I get these devotionals out into the world. I am incredibly thankful for the time these two women spent reviewing my manuscript, and their comments are sure to make the final product a better one—no matter what that product is. Some things are of value even if we do choose an alternative path.

With the advent of Substack, another avenue has opened for writers to offer both free and paid work. A series of devotionals. A collection of short stories. A novel released chapter by chapter. The possibilities are virtually endless. Creatives of all sorts can make their work available to the public.

When considering alternatives, whether it’s with regards to our writing or some other endeavour, we must ask ourselves a series of questions. Below are just five of them:

Is my current process working well? If it is, there’s no need to be distracted by every “shiny new possibility” that presents itself. (That’s what I hear at any rate. I have a tendency to flit from one thing to the next to the next, one of the reasons Nurture and Inspire Love is still an unpublished file on my computer.)
Do I have the wherewithal to learn the new process? No matter what route we take, if we’re not already familiar with the process and the tools, there will be a learning curve.
Do I know where to find reliable instruction? Do I have contacts who either have the information I require or who know where to find it? Do I have the time and financial resources to read a book, take a course, or hire an assistant?
I must know my Why. For example, if I am going to publish on Substack, am I willing to make my work available for free, or do I need to place some or all of it behind a pay wall?
If I need to earn money with my endeavours, how can I get the best return on my investment (ROI)?

Traditional book publishing. Publishing with a small press. Independent (indie) publishing. Newsletters. Subscription models such as Substack. The list goes on.

And if your goals don’t include getting your writing into the world, your list of alternatives will be different, but likely equally as long.

What goals are you pursuing? Are there alternatives you’ve been considering? What factors tip the scales for you?

Photo credit: Jaime Mellor Photography

If you would like more information about her services, you can contact her at stephbethnickelediting@gmail.com.

You’re invited to visit her website: http://stephbethnickeleditor.com/.

You can join her Editing Tips Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/418423519384351.

The 15-Minute Initiative (Guest Post)

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The 15-Minute Initiative

By Steph Beth Nickel

You may have heard me refer to my Procrastination List. Although you may not have yours on paper, you likely have tasks that you put off as long as possible, sometimes longer than you should. (If not, feel free to share your encouraging tips in the comments. Truly. One of those tips may help another reader.)

Earlier this year, I came up with a new way to approach the things on my PL. I call it The 15-Minute Initiative.

How does it work?

I take a look at my Procrastination List and determine which items have a deadline. Those I really should transfer to the Action Plan (aka my To-Do List) in my planner.

The next step . . .

Determine how many items I want to work on during any given week.

Ideally, I would like to work on one item each weekday, but in reality, setting a goal of doing so from 1-3 days per week is likely more realistic.

If I devote just 15 minutes to said project, I can check it off my list for the day. Thus, The 15-Minute Initiative.

So, just what’s on my Procrastination List?

Not necessarily in order of importance . . .

Getting back to the gym and/or working out regularly at home. (This is one of those things I should be doing at least three times per week.)
Working on revisions of the book I’m coauthoring.
Reviewing notes from my beta readers on my Bible study/devotional on the book of John and applying those ideas which I feel will make it a stronger, more helpful manuscript.
Completing the first draft of my YA spec fiction story.
Getting my tax records together for Q1 and Q2 of 2025. (It’s far easier to do this each quarter rather than waiting until March 2026. That’s the theory anyway. So far, this item has remained firmly tucked away on my Procrastination List.)
Reading skills development books, many of which I’ve had for years.
Preparing for our move west, including decluttering and packing away things we won’t need in the coming year.
Preparing for my “homegoing,” when God calls me home to heaven. (While I don’t expect this to happen anytime soon, I don’t want to leave my family in limbo re: subscriptions to cancel, computer passwords, location of important files—both physical and digital, etc., etc., etc.)

I’m sure I could think of other things if I put my mind to it, but you get the idea.

So, what about you? What would you put on your Procrastination List?

And just a reminder . . .

If you have tips that help you keep your list to a minimum (or non-existent), feel free to share in the comments.

A reminder to all of us . . .

While something might work extremely well for others, it doesn’t mean it will work for you—and that’s okay. Keep trying new ideas, find what works for you, and persevere until it’s no longer working. At that point, you can research other ideas and give them a try.

What will you spend your 15 minutes on today?

Photo credit: Jaime Mellor Photography

If you would like more information about her services, you can contact her at stephbethnickelediting@gmail.com.

You’re invited to visit her website: http://stephbethnickeleditor.com/.

You can join her Editing Tips Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/418423519384351.

Motivation vs. Overwhelm (Guest Post)

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A person sits at a desk, head hidden behind a tall stack of books. The book on top is open, and the person is reaching for it. — Image by WOKANDAPIX from Pixabay

Motivation vs. Overwhelm

by Steph Beth Nickel

Are your shelves bowing under the weight of unread skills development books?

Have you subscribed to a plethora of podcasts to develop as a writer?

Do you sign up for innumerable courses you never complete?

If so…

Welcome to the club!

This book comes highly recommended. If I read that book, I’ll have the motivation to complete my WIP. If I buy this bestseller, I’ll be sure to accomplish my writing goals.

Does this sound like you?

Yes?

Again, welcome to the club!

The same holds true for the podcasts I listen to and the courses I sign up for, whether it’s writing, getting back into a regular exercise routine, taking up a new hobby, trying new recipes, or developing my spiritual life.

While a new book, podcast, or course may inspire me for a short time, I must persevere. And follow-through? Well, that’s where I fall short. And motivation becomes overwhelm.

What can we do when this is the case?

Here are eight suggestions:

Gather all the books you want to read or re-read into one place.
Determine which are most relevant to your current season as a writer.
Set aside outdated volumes and those that aren’t currently applicable to your works-in-progress.
Read a chapter, or a portion of a chapter, each day. Apply what you’ve learned immediately if possible.
Repeat with each book you want to read.
Approach your podcasts the same way. Determine which are of benefit. (And yes, we all need to “chill” at times. Not all our books or podcasts have to be educational per se.)
Determine which courses you signed up for most recently. If they are relevant to what you are currently working on, go through the courses one at a time, setting aside time each week (or several times per week) based on available time.
Admit to yourself that not every book, podcast, and course is relevant to your current season. Some may even be outdated. Take a deep breath and be willing to delete / unsubscribe / give away what is no longer relevant.

When we can apply what we’re learning, we’ll likely remain motivated to persevere.

If we hold onto too many resources, they will simply weigh us down.

What’s something that you find overwhelming rather than motivating? Are you ready to let it go?

What’s something that you’re ready to begin or get back to? A book? A podcast? A course? Something else?

Photo credit: Jaime Mellor Photography

If you would like more information about her services, you can contact her at stephbethnickelediting@gmail.com.

You’re invited to visit her website: http://stephbethnickeleditor.com/.

You can join her Editing Tips Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/418423519384351.

Not Second Best (Guest Post)

Not Second Best

by Steph Beth Nickel

I’ll write a book when…

I’ll write my next book when…

There are countless numbers of people who would like to write a book “some day,” whether it’s their first or thirty first. In fact, you may be one of them. I know I am.

I have numerous ideas for books I’d like to write and self-publish, but will I get around to it? We’ll see.

For now, my life is filled with editing others’ manuscripts, assisting my hubby as we prepare to renovate and sell our home of over 20 years, planning for our move west, serving as Contest Coordinator for InScribe—and yes, tweaking and submitting the manuscript I wrote with my coauthor.

Are these things keeping me from completing other manuscripts I’ve begun and those floating around my mind? Are they getting in the way of writing and publishing picture books, women’s fiction, devotionals, etc., etc., etc.? Are they second best?

To be honest, I have several hours each day that I could dedicate to writing. And while you may not, there are probably 15-60-minute blocks of time you could set aside for writing multiple times per week.

But does that mean that if we don’t “straighten up and fly right,” for whatever reason, we should view our day-to-day responsibilities and even our socialization and relaxation as second best?

We’ve all heard a lot about mindset these days, but how we view our endeavours has a lot to do with how we spend our time. Plus, our mindset has even more to do with our attitude and emotions.

Let’s look at how we spend our time, maybe even keep track for a few days or a week of how we spend each hour of the day.

We can’t be “the best” at everything, but we do have to prioritize our tasks. Too often, downtime and writing are at the bottom of the list. And too often, we resent our “evil day job” and/or other day-to-day responsibilities.

What if we began to give thanks for the opportunities to earn an income, care for our aging family member, play outside with our children or grandchildren?

What if we reminded ourselves that blessing even one other person is a privilege—even when it’s draining?

What if we gave ourselves the grace to watch a TV show, listen to a podcast, or read a novel without guilt?

Would there still be time to write?

In my case, I know the answer is an unequivocal yes. And you might find the same is true for yourself. But if not, maybe now isn’t the season to write that book. That doesn’t mean, however, that it will never be the right time. And if you can carve out those few minutes even two or three times per week, we may be celebrating with you in the next year or two that you’re ready to press Publish or send off queries to agents and/or publishers.

Wishing you all the best (not second best) today and always!

Photo credit: Jaime Mellor Photography

If you would like more information about her services, you can contact her at stephbethnickelediting@gmail.com.

You’re invited to visit her website: http://stephbethnickeleditor.com/.

You can join her Editing Tips Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/418423519384351.

Are You Aging or Maturing as a Writer? (Guest Post)

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Are You Aging or Maturing as a Writer?

by Steph Beth Nickel

Last month (“Are You Aging or Maturing as a Reader?“) we discussed the choices we have as readers. Are we aging, which can be seen in the context of the challenges we face as we grow older, or are we maturing, learning from and applying what we discover with each passing year?

This month let’s ask the same question of ourselves as writers.

Below are some thoughts on what maturing as a writer could look like:

Tips for Writers

If you’ve been writing for years, I encourage you to keep at it. And if you think it’s too late to begin writing even though it’s still one of your dreams, I encourage you to pursue your goal—no mature your age.

While it’s good to expand our horizons, as loath as I am to admit it, it may be time to zero in on the one or two genres in which you would like to write and publish. This coming from an eclectically interested and eclectically involved individual . . . <sigh>

Deciding on the genre(s) you want to focus on will increase your chances of completing and indie publishing your work or finding a traditional publisher.

Researching which publishing path you want to take will take time, but deciding which path best suits you will save time and energy in the long run. There is lots to learn whichever option you choose.

Note: The publishing path you choose for one project may not be the best for subsequent projects.

A Word of Warning

There are many individuals claiming to be experts in the writing and publishing fields. Do your homework before following anyone’s advice (especially if there is a fee involved). Sadly, there are many who are either deliberately or unintentionally doling out incomplete or entirely false information. Some even charge for services that are free, something I warned a friend about recently. I’m SO GLAD she asked my opinion before forwarding this individual $500 for something that doesn’t cost a dime.

The information we learned a decade ago, last year, or even last week, may not be particularly relevant today. Ours is a twofold responsibility: 1) keep learning and 2) recognize the fact that, at some point, we have to go ahead and press Publish or fire off our manuscript to potential agents, editors, and/or publishers. While we should expand our knowledge, we must realize publishing is in a constant state of flux.

It will be difficult for some of us to hear this, but taking into account the ever-changing writing and publishing landscape and the fact that perfection is subjective and we will never achieve it means we must muster up the courage to recognize when good enough is good enough. I recently heard that there are those who advise writers to publish their work if they consider it 70 percent of what it could be. Seventy percent!

For perfectionists, the idea of publishing at 70 or even 80 percent is inconceivable. For those of us who aren’t particularly perfectionistic, this concept may make us want to cheer.

What This Does Not Mean

Publishing a book that we feel is only at 70 percent does not mean that we shouldn’t send it to beta readers and consider their input. It doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t get our manuscript professionally edited. It doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t keep developing and applying our writing and self-editing skills.

But there comes a point when we must realize that as we learn and grow and go over our manuscript “just one more time,” the changes we might make will not make all that much difference. And if we want to publish more than one book, we have to take a deep breath and send our current work out into the world.

My take: Aging can make us more rigid, less likely to consider publishing something we feel isn’t the absolute best we can make it. While maturing is realizing perfection is not attainable and we can be a blessing to readers even if our writing isn’t flawless, whatever that means to us.

In what ways are you maturing as a writer?

Photo credit: Jaime Mellor Photography

If you would like more information about her services, you can contact her at stephbethnickelediting@gmail.com.

You’re invited to visit her website: http://stephbethnickeleditor.com/.

You can join her Editing Tips Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/418423519384351.

Are You Aging or Maturing as a Reader? (Guest Post)

Are You Aging or Maturing as a Reader?

by Steph Beth Nickel

Over the next couple of months, I will be having cataract surgery on both eyes and may need corneal transplants in the years to come. I can no longer go as long between workouts and not get stiff—not the good kind that comes from beneficial exercise but the kind that comes from too much inactivity. My sleep patterns are wonky, admittedly because I often stay up too late.

Are these signs of maturing or aging? Easy answer, right?

Sadly, we often think of aging in negative terms and maturing in positive ones, but I truly believe we can combine the two—while acknowledging the challenges of the passing years.

Below are some tips for older readers. (If you haven’t felt the effects of aging as of yet, hopefully you’ll find a few tips that will benefit you as well.)

Tips for Readers

As we age, our bodies and minds often get less pliable, less flexible. Just as regular physical activity can be beneficial to our body, reading can help us continue to mature and reduce the mental signs of aging.

While we all have our favourite genre(s), there are many benefits to expanding our horizons. Why not pick up a book in a genre you don’t typically read?

Have you been wanting to develop your skills in an area you’re familiar with or learn an entirely new-to-you skill? Why not nab a book in your favourite format—or pull one off your shelves you’ve been meaning to (re)read?

Just as it’s beneficial to read a wide variety of genres, there are advantages to consuming books in multiple formats: physical books, e-books, and audiobooks. In recent years, I’ve consumed far more audiobooks than I’d ever imagined I would, being more of a visual learner than an auditory one. When I’m tired or busy doing something that doesn’t require my undivided attention, I enjoy having an audiobook playing.

You can use a library app and borrow audiobooks (and e-books) for free, make individual purchases from sites such as Chirp Books (their deals are phenomenal), or pay a monthly subscription rate to a service such as Rakuten Kobo and download as many e-books and audiobooks as you like.

True confessions: I have numerous apps on my phone for consuming books and hundreds of unread volumes.

How about joining (or starting) a book club? If you don’t have enough friends or family member to begin your own book club, you may want to join an in-person or online club that reads books in one of your preferred genres.

Happy reading, all!

And if you’re a writer—or thinking of becoming one—check out next month’s post, “Are You Aging or Maturing as a Writer?”

Photo credit: Jaime Mellor Photography

If you would like more information about her services, you can contact her at stephbethnickelediting@gmail.com.

You’re invited to visit her website: http://stephbethnickeleditor.com/.

You can join her Editing Tips Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/418423519384351.

Why Reading Can Be a Challenge (Guest Post)

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Image: headphones and cellphone. — Image by Free stock photos from www.rupixen.com from Pixabay

Why Reading Can Be a Challenge

by Steph Beth Nickel

Don’t get me wrong. I love books. Physical books. eBooks. Audiobooks. All the books. But sometimes I do struggle to sit down and read a book from cover to cover.

Specific Challenges

When I’m tired, it can be difficult to focus on the words on a page. All of us have likely found ourselves reading and re-reading a paragraph because we complete it and wonder what on earth we’ve read.

Reining in my thoughts can prove challenging. I enjoy flitting from one thing to the next to the next. This is one reason I have multiple books on the go at all times—and ideas for books in multiple genres that I would like to write.

As an extrovert, I enjoy auditory input. I find both quiet and background music (especially with lyrics) distracting. This is why it requires more deliberate focus for me to read a physical or eBook.

Enter . . . the Audiobook

While you may not face the challenges I do when it comes to reading, you may be surprised at some of the advantages of listening to audiobooks. These are true even if you’re not an auditory learner.

For we who are extroverts, sometimes it’s nice to have someone keep us company, even if that someone is the narrator of the audiobook we’re listening to. (Of course, listening to some narrators is more pleasant than listening to others.)

It’s possible to do other tasks while listening to an audiobook: drive, wash dishes, tidy up, etc. And with the advent of Bluetooth earbuds, things like running water don’t have to interfere with the experience.

I prefer listening to fiction, but I do listen to some nonfiction books as well. If there are passages I want to make note of, I may purchase the eBook or physical book as well.

Cost-Prohibitive

One “problem” with audiobooks is the cost. However, that need not be the case any longer.

If you want to listen to audiobooks but don’t want to pay a monthly fee for only one book or pay the per book retail cost, there are options.

I was thrilled to discover Chirp | A Better Way to Audiobook. Chirp has phenomenal sales on audiobooks, both more recent releases and classics. Often the first audiobook in a series has a low price, under $5.00. This is a great way to discover new authors and see if we want to invest in the complete series.

And when it comes to subscriptions, you can’t beat Kobo Plus eBook & Audiobook Subscription | Rakuten Kobo Canada. For approximately $15.00 per month, you can download as many audiobooks (and eBooks) as you like for no extra cost. They will disappear, however, should you cancel your subscription, but they won’t disappear from your library if you haven’t read them by the end of the month you downloaded them. Not all books are available, but there are more new and recent releases than I could ever hope to read—even though I often listen to a book in one or two days.

While reading can be a challenge, I am thankful for audiobooks . . . and eBooks (after all, I can easily carry hundreds with me wherever I go) . . . and physical books.

What’s your preferred format? Have you found reading to be a challenge? If so, in what ways?

Photo credit: Jaime Mellor Photography

If you would like more information about her services, you can contact her at stephbethnickelediting@gmail.com.

You’re invited to visit her website: http://stephbethnickeleditor.com/.

You can join her Editing Tips Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/418423519384351.

Much-Needed Rest (Guest Post)

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Much-Needed Rest

by Steph Beth Nickel

Last month, I shared some of my favourite podcasts and audiobook providers. But even the best of these can become little more than noise in this world of overstimulation. And coming out of the holiday season, rest—and quiet—may be exactly what you need.

Although quiet and rest are not the same, they are related. While being quiet doesn’t guarantee we will be at rest, it is difficult to truly rest and recharge without at least some periods of quiet. (Note: quietness isn’t necessarily the same as silence. For instance, you can go for a quiet walk surrounded by the sounds of nature.)

Dave Nickel at the Fairy Bridges in Ireland
Photo Credit: Steph Beth Nickel

Saundra Dalton Smith, MD, identifies seven types of rest each of us needs, many of which we give little to no thought. In her book Sacred Rest: Recover Your Life, Renew Your Energy, Restore Your Sanity, the author examines the following types of rest: Physical Rest, Mental Rest, Emotional Rest, Spiritual Rest, Social Rest, Sensory Rest, and Creative Rest.

Depending on the audiobook I’m listening to or the podcast I have playing, I may be able to rest in one or more of these ways. However, there are times quiet is the best option. While I can fall asleep listening to a TV show, podcast, or audiobook (thank goodness for the snooze feature!), allowing myself to drift off without this type of auditory input can make for a more restful sleep.

Listening to anything that gets my mind racing is obviously not providing the mental or emotional rest I need. There are things that do, however. For example, I enjoy using Emily P. Freeman’s Quiet Collection and the One Minute Pause apps to wind down and “be present.”

While there are numerous auditory resources that help us develop our spiritual life, it’s important to enjoy the presence of the promised Comforter, the Holy Spirit, and listen to what He is teaching us through what we’ve read, heard, and experienced. It’s easier to do this if we regularly take time to be quiet.

And now we come to social rest. I can almost hear all the introverts out there cheering, but we extroverts may have a tough time with this one. I like listening to podcasts not only because of the subject matter but also because I enjoy the pseudo connection I’ve made with my favourite podcasters. I have to remind myself that I don’t always need someone to keep me company.

While sensory rest seems self-explanatory, we may need to remind ourselves of its importance, especially when we encounter resistance—external or internal.

And last, the author of Sacred Rest examines creative rest. She refers to a friend who rests by pulling out her art supplies and creating a painting. While the very thought of doing so may cause us anxiety, there is likely something creative each of us finds restful.

How about you? Do you enjoy sitting down at the piano and playing your favourite song? Grabbing your camera and going for a photo walk? Baking a batch of cookies? Art journalling? Writing a poem?

As we enter the new year, let’s commit to stepping back from the noise and embracing the rest we need.

How are you going to do so?

Photo credit: Jaime Mellor Photography

If you would like more information about her services, you can contact her at stephbethnickelediting@gmail.com.

You’re invited to visit her website: http://stephbethnickeleditor.com/.

You can join her Editing Tips Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/418423519384351.

Janet Sketchley

Writing Christian Mysteries & Suspense

Tag Archives: Steph Beth Nickel

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