The opposite of love’s indifference (giveaway!)

This post was inspired by The Little Paris Bookshop, by Nina George. (I’ve actually written a more “formal” review of it!)

You’ve probably heard of the term, “it’s easier said than done.” It applies to so much in life, and to me, it was a very central theme in The Little Paris Bookshop.

As a hopeful-future-physician, I talk a lot about healthy habits with my [preceptor’s] patients, and I try my very best to lead by example.

I usually eat healthy, but allow for “cheat meals” and pigging out with friends when the opportunities arise. I try to exercise 6 days out of the week, and when I can’t get in a full work out, I’m a fan of counteracting the lack of activity by embracing the “what you can, when you can” philosophy, whether it’s through climbing all the stairs in the hospital, or making even healthier food choices than I normally would.

…But when it comes to my personal life, which I rarely write about here (aside from my public service announcement to treat bad experiences as learning experiences), it’s a whole ‘nother story.

Sometimes, it’s because of life in general.

I like to think that I have a semi-good grasp of what a healthy + functional relationship needs, so I think I’m not too shabby at doling out advice to my friends when they ask.

I know what I want in someone else, and I have rather high standards, but…for better or worse, if I reallyreally like someone, I tend to make exceptions if I need to, whether or not it’s a good idea. Sometimes, I also entertain extremely unrealistic thought processes–for instance, the time[s] I chose to believe someone for not weeks, not months, but years.

I should have listened to what my brain was trying to tell me, but I made the conscious decision not to, because at the time, I honestly believed that things would work themselves out, and that it’d all be worth it.

It’s the basis behind why I no longer put much stock into what people say to me. Words are easy, but it’s your actions that show me whether or not you really mean what you say.

Last month, I visited a friend I hadn’t seen in ages–I occasionally refer to him as my ex-who’s-not-an-ex, because we were never officially together. (Please refer to the chemistry-timing graphic–I’m glad that we can still be friends though!)

Something I’ve always really appreciated about him is how he believes in me and encourages me no matter how much I’m doubting myself. He challenges me, and convinces me not to talk myself out of doing the things that I love.

In the most recent case, it was on music. He told me it’d be absolutely tragic for me to give that up because I was so talented [once upon a time…], and that if I could, I should really try to find a way to keep it in my life. He claims that hearing me play is what really sealed the deal for him. :O

We may or may not have super-bummed the majority of a weekend and had a jam session in his apartment because I was somewhat wary of getting murdered in the city at night (sorry, Baltimore).

Here’s a clip of our first attempt at Ed Sheeran’s Thinking Out Loud. (Going over the lyrics first might have been a good idea, har har. But OH WELL.)

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• What’s something you find easy to advise to others that you don’t often follow?
• Do you tend to follow your head, or your heart?
• Do you know where the title of this post is from? Hint: A more complete version of it can be found here!
• Check out this book apothecary and let me know what your literary prescription was!