To be so so proud of myself ?

[WhatHappensAtBookClub]

I had been struggling with my mental health, and whilst I was trying to get better I decided to do something outside of my comfort zone..

I have started a village book club! It’s been really popular and it’s been absolutely fantastic to meet so many people. We got talked about at the local church so women don’t usually get involved with events that are advertised on Facebook are coming out to the evenings.

Also off the back of the book club we now have a fantastic club where we share crafting skills, darning socks, knitting, crochet etc it’s absolutely fascinating being taught how to do a new skill and we do a new group project every 3 months.

I never thought starting a book club at 34 would be life changing but there we are 🥰 so do it. Do the scary thing, start the thing that you want to go to if it doesn’t exist.

That is wonderful! Congratulations OP. Have you seen all the material that's out there on the National Year of Reading 2026? Maybe there is something there your new community can involve themselves with. The Alliance of Literary Societies are also holding an event at the BMI in October, if you're anywhere in the vicinity of Birmingham.

Books are one of the better things in life.

Well done OP! Sounds fantastic! :)

I love that, well done!

Great! How did you start it?

Well done @WhatHappensAtBookClub, how lovely that you've helped to connect your local community as well as doing something good for yourself

Well done!!! It’s incredibly good for your mental health to do things to help others and you have done that in spades. The Late Great Dr Michael Mosley has a whole Radio 4 programme on exactly this - it’s one of his series called ‘Just one thing’ and you will find it on BBC Sounds.

This has made my day!
Congratulations, OP.
So pleased it's taken off - sounds like you've created something wonderful that really enhances your community and the lives of those who attend.

You absolutely should be proud of yourself, well done

I posted on the Facebook group for the village and asked if there was one but there wasn’t so I asked if anyone would join me in starting one. Then I started a WhatsApp group with a link to join and put it on the Facebook group. It just grew from there :)

How completely fabulous! Congratulations on putting yourself out there, it can be really scary. And for doing something that, not only has helped you and your mental health, but sounds like it’s been a great benefit to the village as well and maybe even a lifeline for others who are suffering from ill mental health/loneliness/isolation etc.

You should be super, super proud of yourself!!! 👏

YANBU - that is great 👏

Congratulations op!!!

That's amazing @WhatHappensAtBookClub 🤩

You've organised everything, improved your own MH and must have helped others through the club you arranged.

Be as proud as you like 😍

That’s amazing! Do you meet in your house or do you have a venue? I’d love to do this.

yes, you should feel proud of yourself.

good on you for fostering that community spirit where you live. I bet many people are very grateful for what you have done/are doing

Argh well done op. I wish I was in your village and would have joined (i can't possibly be as i dont live in a village) has it had a big impact on your MH?

Yes it really has been fantastic for my mental health. Getting into a routine has been so lovely. Knowing that I have the group the next week kept me going I suppose.

Fantastic. Im really happy for you, you deserve to be proud. MH is tough at times

Thank you all 🥰

The ladies at the knitting group are honestly so so lovely. We originally called it knit and natter but it’s been renamed to stitch and bitch 🤣

That’s wonderful to read