A review by erysewhite
What I Talk about When I Talk about Running by Haruki Murakami

hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

3.5

This book explores a mindset and experience that I semi-relate to. Mr. Murakami has a pessimistic approach to a lot of things in life. He expects the ball to drop at every turn and experiences a weight of disappointment when he doesn't meet his goals. But maybe this is something that is earned with age that I have yet to journey through. I am an optimistic person at heart, even a little unrealistic at times. I haven't personally gone through the decline that comes with aging and the rediscovery of your abilities. I can understand why that would feel frightening. I liked this analogy he made towards the end of the book. In Chapter Nine, " At Least He Never Walked" he goes back to memory of when he was sixteen looking at himself in the mirror, and counting all of his physical "deficiencies". This made me think of the constant comparisons that I make about my life, my habits, my appearance, and my body. Not just the physical but also everything else that comes with the carry-on that is Eryse. But what he says in the book really calmed my mind. Mr.Murakami said, " If I start considering other aspects-- personality, brains, athleticism, things of this sort-- the list will be endless"(p.153). I will forever be stuck in this cycle in my mind of comparing my every move. But how do I continue to watch, read, and enjoy watching content without defaulting to this cycle? Do I completely remove any interaction with others to avoid comparing myself? Or do I find a way to love myself, accept myself, but also try to stay true to myself without the added shame that comes with being different? I guess this is something I should talk about with my therapist.  Thanks, Mr. Murkami for giving me some talking points.