When the Books Start Reflecting Back

What the mental health!!

I’ve always believed books can be an escape — little portals into other lives, worlds, and possibilities. But lately, I’ve been realizing that sometimes, they’re also mirrors. They reflect what’s happening inside us, even when we don’t consciously mean for them to.

Over the past few months, I’ve noticed a shift in the genres I reach for. I’ve been staying away from fantasy and dark academia — the stories that once made me feel adventurous, imaginative, and inspired. Life doesn’t feel fancy or free right now, and I can’t bring myself to read something that feels too detached from my reality. I need to feel connected — to see pieces of my own emotions reflected in the characters, the struggles, and even the endings.

Maybe that’s what reading is really about: connection.

And maybe this shift says something deeper about mental health — about how we treat ourselves, and how we allow others to treat us. When we’re in a space where the world feels heavy, our hearts crave understanding. We don’t always want a “happily ever after” or a magical escape. Sometimes, we just want to see ourselves survive another day on the page and feel less alone doing it.

It’s strange to think about, but even the stories we choose to read (or avoid) say something about where we are emotionally. They become both a refuge and a reflection. I never used to think of it that way — that reading could be both healing and revealing.

This post is a little more personal than usual. What the Plot has always been a space meant to be fun, uplifting, and full of excitement for books and stories. But the truth is, I’ve been struggling internally — and it’s shown up even in the pages I turn to for comfort. No matter how much I try to hide it, it slips through, even in my attempts to relax.

But here’s the beautiful thing: I’ve found support in unexpected places. In the books that have held me when people couldn’t. In the community here — all of you who share your love for stories and your hearts so openly.

If you’re going through something, too — if your shelves look a little different than they used to — that’s okay. Maybe you’re not escaping. Maybe you’re reflecting. And maybe, in that reflection, you’re healing a little more than you realize.

Thank you for being here, for reading, and for being part of this space that somehow always gives back what I didn’t even know I needed.