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Original poster

I have lost the ability to sit and read....

143 replies

whaaaatishappening · 28/12/2021 16:05

I was/am an avid reader. Love nothing more than getting anew book and settling down for a few hours to read.

Last year has been hectic, marriage break up, setting up new business so i have not had the mind space or time to really get involved with a book.

Treated my self to trilogy - massive book and I've found the moment i start reading I want to fall asleep. I am not even managing a page, just cant get in to it. Its not the book as normally would really enjoy this kind of book and style its written in.

Has this happened to any one else. Ive lost my reading skills!

OP posts:

mugglenutmeg · 28/12/2021 17:28

I enjoy listening to audio books now, while driving or walking or cooking. Get your local library's app to be download books, or use audible. Is it if good earphones and you're good to go.

BrocolliHamster · 28/12/2021 17:29

I lost my ability to read novels after a bad bout of depression in my early twenties seemed to completely obliterate my attention span, I'm 31 now and have regained it to some degree, but it's nothing like it was before where I could happily sit for hours reading and would read every day. Audiobooks have been a lifesaver, I listen to them in the car and on Bluetooth earphones when cooking/doing housework etc. It's pricier than buying books unfortunately, but for me it's worth it as I can listen to an audio book if I'm having a week where I'm finding reading hard.

Gooders1105 · 28/12/2021 17:30

Haven’t read the full thread. I also lost the ability to read after my marriage broke down but I was really really sad. Then I discovered Audible during first lockdown. It’s amazing listening to a book. I walk and listen or listen and do jobs too (gardening and cleaning etc). It’s lovely to go to sleep listening to someone reading too and there’s a sleep function do it switches off after a designated time. Highly recommend!

Interested in this thread?

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Books

TheYearOfSmallThings · 28/12/2021 17:33

Haven’t read the full thread.

Stormbraver99 · 28/12/2021 17:34

I really struggled to get back into reading after going through a sad time recently.
I found my eyes could scan a whole page without me having a clue what had happened in those paragraphs.

Now, I find that I can concentrate better if I read while pacing up and down.
It sounds crazy I know, but my anxiety is horrendous.
I can't actually sit down and read, but I have better concentration when pacing and reading! No idea why.

Vthirtyone · 28/12/2021 17:38

I had this too! The book that rehabilitated me was the first Richard Osman book, I think because it was simple enough to follow even when my mind wandered a bit, but enjoyable enough to want to concentrate on. I also go to bed earlier now to get some pages in before I start to nod off!

Idkillforadoughnut · 28/12/2021 17:40

@PeaceONoeuf

I’ve been trying to work this out - I think there’s also a bit of FOMO as well as attention skills deteriorating. On MN I feel connected to people and with the pandemic, working from home, generally being less social it’s harder to want to switch off whereas before reading was a bit of down time.

Thanks for this insight @PeaceONoeuf! I feel the need to connect on MN too, but have been scratching my head why the pandemic has stopped me reading. It's true - less desire to escape the world maybe. Plus too many people at home interrupting me.

Plantsandpuddlesuits · 28/12/2021 17:40

@TeaspoonOfDoom

One of the booktubers I watch does what she calls a Cosy Reading Night from time to time, running in an evening for around 3 hours. I thought I'dgive that a go, and settled down with cosy blankets, snacks, drinks etc and loved it. I try and treat myself regularly with a block of 2-3 hours reading, without social media distraction (which can be hard at first, but gets easier).

At other times, it's a snatched 10-15 mins over a cup of tea.

Is that Lauren and the books @TeaspoonOfDoom? I really like her. I also like Lauren Wade although she hasn't posted for a while and Jen Campbell. What other booktubers do you like?

tinseleverywhere2021 · 28/12/2021 17:44

I too went for something really easy to read to get me back into it - The Crossing Places, Elly Griffiths. I liked it so much that I read all 13 of them (although I got a bit bored at times I persevered).

It wasn't social media or any other interruptions for me, just that I couldn't focus at all. I don't do social media, probably spend about 2 hours a week here.

I just couldn't read!

Hollytreenew · 28/12/2021 18:13

As someone else said in the thread, I had this happen after my marriage broke up and I moved house as well. I definitely don’t have the same concentration and it is really sad. The positive stories here about getting it back though is making me hopeful though!

WonderfulYou · 28/12/2021 18:16

What are you like watching TV?

I have a short attention span/busy life so I’ve always struggled with movies but a few years ago I struggled to pay attention to watching TV and it was a sign of depression.

Do you think you could be feeling stressed out so your mind is either constantly running or is numb from it?

WonderfulYou · 28/12/2021 18:18

Sorry just read PPs who lost it when they went through sad or stressful times so it could easily be a sign of depression, even if it’s mild.

ThesecondLEM · 28/12/2021 18:18

I'm the same, it's my fucking phone, you know, the thing I'm wasting my life on now.... Makes me really sad.

I used to do the 50 books a year challenge, OK so I think I just managed 30 but I didn't even get to ten last year

hopeishere · 28/12/2021 18:19

I lost it after having kids. I could only manage magazines. But it did come back. If I want to read I put my phone in another room. I always used to read before going to sleep but DH doesn't read so it's about finding the right time and space for it. I found a kindle helped as you can get a new book quickly.

ForsythiaInBloom · 28/12/2021 18:22

It’s interesting what some of you are saying about Audio books. I listen to podcasts, Radio 4 and audio books, but always while doing other things - walking to the shops, doing housework, driving to work, gardening. It’s multi-tasking. But an audiobook is still not reading, is it?

However, enjoyable and escapist, it’s not the same as sitting down in a chair or in bed with a book and turning its pages with your eyes doing the work. I think it is a skill we are losing. I’m losing.

H1978 · 28/12/2021 18:42

I used to read like crazy as a teenager. Didn’t read much when dcs were young. Now the only time I read is in the car and on holiday, and I have to have have music playing on my headphones at the same time. I can’t read in silence.

IthinkIsawahairbrushbackthere · 28/12/2021 18:49

From childhood I was of the opinion that I could never be bored if I had a book but I have found that when I am anxious/stressed it is really hard to read. When I realise that I am struggling to concentrate again I retrain myself with something simple/familiar - the sort of thing that gives me satisfaction straight away. For me it is Alexander McCall Smith or PG Wodehouse. After a couple of familiar books I'm back in the swing of it all and can concentrate again.

Bookridden · 28/12/2021 18:51

Can relate to so much of this. Would be interested to try some well- written, high quality YA. Lots of YA that I've tried in the past has been written in very short sentences only, which gets a bit tedious after a while, but I'd like to try again. Anyone have any recommendations?

titsintiers · 28/12/2021 18:56

I started by reading when going to bed, my phone doesn't come into the bedroom at night so less distraction. I'd also start by reading an old favourite, easy read.

crochetmonkey74 · 28/12/2021 18:59

Getting this back is my nee years resolution as I'm the same. One thing that has helped has been I've got myself a couple of very short chaptered non fiction. Things like Toast by Nigel Slater, currently got the new Dawn Porter and also a book of short essays on peoples favourite Christmas memories. They have helped me retrain slightly. I keep one by the kettle, by the bath, anywhere where I might normally go on my phone and I pick the book up instead. Hoping I can now move on to fiction

TeaspoonOfDoom · 28/12/2021 18:59

@Plantsandpuddlesuits

Yes it is Laurenandthebooks. I like her Channel- we have similar taste in books. I also like Jen Campbell, GettingHyggeWithIt, AllDBooks, DrinkingByMyShelf, LiteraryDiversions, GK Reads. I used to like Lauren Wade too, but since she had her baby she's barely posted anything. I hope she comes back to BookTube when she's ready to.

dudsville · 28/12/2021 19:00

I used to love reading, now I find I need to be properly rested so it tends to be a holiday activity for me. Planes, airports, hotels, even staying at home. But I can't read just of an evening and not on my commute.

LyndaSnellsSniff · 28/12/2021 19:01

I get up about 45 mins earlier than I need to, make a coffee and sit and read until it’s time to get up. Knowing I have to get up soon anyway means I don’t fall back to sleep. I also read when I go to bed but tend to fall asleep.

IBelieveInAThingCalledScience · 28/12/2021 19:02

I've felt like this since having children.

I also got used to Audible, because it allows me to "read" while driving, doing menial chores and running.

Rabblesthecat · 28/12/2021 19:03

Same here! I’ve gone back to reading crap romance novels that do t require attention - loved them as a teenager early twenties - getting me back in the habit. Will then progress to thrillers etc.

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