09/10/2026
October 10 is World Mental Health Day
I’ve been doing a lot of reflecting over the past 10 days, particularly on everything that’s been happening within the bookish community, including the conversations surrounding RARE.
A community that’s built on a shared love of books, stories and the people who bring them to life should be a place where we feel welcomed, supported and safe. But sometimes, even the spaces we love can become overwhelming, exhausting and emotionally draining.
And I think today, of all days, is a good reminder that your mental health matters more than any book, event, business or social media conversation.
It’s okay to step away.
It’s okay to set boundaries.
It’s okay to be disappointed, frustrated or hurt.
It’s okay to speak up for what you believe in.
And it’s also okay to decide that you don’t have the emotional capacity to engage.
You can care deeply about something without carrying the weight of everything happening around it.
Behind every author, reader, organiser, creator and small business is a real person with their own challenges, feelings and life outside of the bookish world.
We don’t always know what someone else is going through, and a little kindness, empathy and understanding can go a long way.
I love this community. I love the friendships, the connections and the way stories bring us together. And I genuinely hope we can continue to build a space where people feel comfortable being themselves, standing by their values and looking after their wellbeing.
So today, please check in with yourself. Check in with your friends. Take a break from the noise if you need one.
The books, the events and the internet will still be there tomorrow. Your wellbeing deserves to come first.
Be kind to yourselves, and to each other. 💖
#ʙᴏᴏᴋᴄᴏᴍᴍᴜɴɪᴛʏ
