After coming home from work I often feel too exhausted to pick up a book. The number of books I’ve finished has dropped sharply compared to previous years and it’s been frustrating to watch my reading habits slip away. I used to look forward to reading as a way to unwind but now I can barely get through a few pages before dozing off. Has anyone else experienced this kind of slump? It feels like I'm not alone in this but I’m not sure how to break the cycle. How do you stay motivated to read when you're mentally and physically drained? I remember back in my undergra years after finishing homework, I was free to read any books I wanted usually ones I borrowed from the university. Now with more responsibilities and more work, I feel tired all the time. Even when I want to read in bed I just don’t have the energy to do it. 😭😭
by Delicious_Maize9656
18 Comments
Yeah definitely. I try to read during vacation and on weekends. But I think I won’t reach a large number of books this year.
Sounds like you have entered adulthood
I have two solutions for myself. One is to have both a physical book option and an audiobook option. I listen to audiobooks when I’m doing something else like driving or getting ready. I read a physical book when I’m on the couch. For the physical books it’s hard. I go on my phone a lot. But I just tell myself “ok I’m gonna read 20 pages and then I can be done.” And usually I read more bc starting is the hard part but sometimes I’m like ok that’s good enough
Same cuz I feel like you have to put in actual mental effort to read books, but to watch videos or scroll through Instagram is so much easier. Like I can’t get myself to commit to books like I used to.
I just do it anyway
read audiobooks while you do dishes, fold laundry, and do other mindless tasks. it gets books into your mind and helps you looks forward to all the boring stuff you have to do when you’re already burnt out.
It happens! It could just be that you’re in a period of life that’s very busy. I noticed usually the first year at a new job, I happen to read a lot less and I think its just because I’m taking a lot in mentally. But the thing is I always bounce back. It’s ok for this to just be a busy period. Just remember that you do like reading, and when you’re ready again, you’ll be surprised how quickly it all comes back.
When I worked as an editor I switched over to audiobooks because I was tired of reading all day. That might help. You can turn on audiobooks and listen as you do chores, eat, knit or something.
I cannot read in bed or at night. I fall asleep after like 1 page lol. Instead, I started reading while walking after work and it was a game changer. I’ve heard people say they could never but for me it’s super easy to read and pay attention to my surroundings at the same time. It forces me to read instead of falling asleep or looking at my phone and I also find it much easier to concentrate and comprehend while I’m moving. Once I got into that habit it started to be much easier for me to read at home too and I am now on track to finish my reading goal for the first time ever!
Have you tried listening to audiobooks, or switching up genres to read easier/lighter/fluffier stuff when you’re tired? I’ve been dealing with chronic fatigue syndrome and have found both those approaches somewhat helpful.
I save my more intense, thought-provoking reading for times when I feel more alert, whereas when I’m exhausted I often turn to rom coms or other lighter fare. When I really feel like garbage I sometimes just lie down, put on a sleep mask, and turn on an audiobook, which is nice because 1) I still get to consume a book in some form despite fatigue and 2) it helps ensure I don’t fall asleep at times when a nap would be unwise.
I carve out reading time before bed as part of pre-sleep routine and also listen to audiobooks in the car.
For me, I concentrate on maintenance during the tough times, short story or essay collections are great. You get the positive feedback of finishing something, without a huge outlay of effort. It just keeps the reading muscle ticking over until I find something I can’t put down.
I have moved on to all audiobooks! I just don’t have time to sit and read when there’s so much else to do, I’ll listen to them while washing the dishes, or cleaning my house, or just lying on my couch playing games on my phone if I’m totally done for the day.
Audiobooks! I play card games on my phone while I listen. About to start embroidering again, too. My hands stay busy, my mind stays focused.
Library apps make it free. There are other digital options, too.
Audiobooks saved me
read during lunch.
This is me! Sometimes I’m just so shattered after work I don’t have the energy to read a book. I’ve started reading short stories for now. I never really used to read short stories but there are some fab collections out there.
As others have said, audiobooks. Also, something that worked for me is scheduling in reading time, even if it’s only 15 minutes, the same way you might a quick workout.