The Quit List
Literary Lessons
I read the cutest romance this week called The Quit List. It was definitely a rom-com kind of week. Do you ever have week like that - where you just feel drawn to a certain genre? I know I do!
This one did not disappoint! And, as a bonus, it was thought-provoking as well.
Book Blurb -
He quit believing in love a long time ago. She won't quit until she finds the One...
and he's everything she's NOT looking for.
Holly Greene is on a mission to find her happily ever after. And her journey to love does not include a detour to Bad Boy Bartenderville, population Jax Grainger.
Jax may be witty, smart-mouthed, and handsome, but he’s the kind of guy who views love as a four-letter word… and the last thing Holly needs is to waste any more time.
She’s in her seeking Prince Charming era, not her playboy villain era.
But after he saves her from the world’s worst date, Holly sees an opportunity: Jax may not check any of the boxes on her list, but he’s the perfect person to help her find a man who does.
All she has to do is stick to the plan—and stay out of the sexy bartender’s arms.
Easy peasy lemon sque... Oops.
Get ready for tons of chemistry, tension, and laugh-out-loud moments in this hilarious new dating coach rom com with no third act break up. The Quit List is a closed door/low spice romance that includes mild language, innuendo, and suggestive humor.
What I really loved about this book (besides all the delicious witty banter) was the idea of a Quit List.
This is the part where you ask me…. “Melissa, what’s a Quit List?” Well, I’m so happy you asked! I would love to tell you!
The idea is, instead of making a list of all the things you want to make sure you keep doing, you make a list of all the things you are going to quit doing. Like a reverse bucket list.
I love the idea of making a quit list for your personal and professional life. So often we focus on the doing, but what if we shift the focus to the things we want to stop doing. Cutting out a few little things could bring big changes.
I’ll share my own Quit List.
Quit saying “just”.”
“I’m just a mom.” “I’m just an assistant.” “I’m just _____ (fill in the blank). Over the years, I’ve use just to play down the roles I have in life. Does it really matter that I use it?
It’s such a little word. I know it might not seem like a big deal, but, according to a blog post by David Neibach, “When you use the word “Just” you immediately diminish yourself, what you are doing or who you are with. It’s terrible, you should look at every meeting as the most important one at that time, the person you’re with is the most important person at that time and you’re the most important person leaving me a message! By using “just” describe experiences and encounters, we are immediately lessening the experience to those that listen to us, but also in our own minds. We are not being appreciative of what might be learnt through this encounter.”
I do value myself and the interactions I have with others. It’s time my language articulates that.
Quit hesitating on making changes simply because I have time invested.
This can be a hard one. So often we cling to what we have been working on because we don’t want to lose the effort we put in. But, sometimes, it’s pure stubbornness to not recognize that you need to make a change. Pivoting is not failing. “Pivoting means that you learned some hard truths and you are acting on them.” Michel Tricot
Quit being afraid to let the “real” me shine.
I think it’s natural to hold back a part of ourselves in our online presence. It’s most-likely healthy to do so. But, when it comes to writing, I find it’s harder to be me. Somehow, being on camera for Instagram or TikTok feels less vulnerable then sitting down with a blank draft and letting the words flow. I’m learning, and I hope you will continue to hang out as I continue to show you the “real” me.
What’s on your Quit List? I would love to know!
If you want to explore the idea of weeding things out of your life, check out my previous post on spring cleaning your social media.
5 Favorite Things I’m Loving This Week
Yep, still loving coffee to get me through my mornings ☕.
Booktube (check out this ambience video for a relaxing vibe).
Jane Austen’s letter narrated (available for members of the Jane Austen Literacy Foundation Community).
Evening walks.
Paint! We just painted our bedroom and the color is making everything feel so fresh.
What are you loving this week?
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I love the idea of a Quit list. I’m going to give it a good think. Right off the top of my head, I want to quit feeling insecure about my writing. I feel much stronger than I have felt in the past, but I still cringe when I know someone is reading my books.