Can’t focus to read or watch tv!

[MargorieJean]

I used to read avidly, getting through a couple of books a week. I also used to love getting lost in a tv series and would binge things on Netflix etc. But ever since I became pregnant in 2021 and then motherhood to a young child, I find I can’t focus at all! Once my toddler goes down to bed at night and I’ve finished pottering around tidying up etc, I sit down and then spend ages browsing for something to watch, or looking through my kindle store downloading samples of books which I then half-heartedly read for a few minutes before dismissing them, and before I know it the evening is gone 😞 is this common? Will I ever get my interests back? I have plenty of time during commutes to and from work etc to read but end up mindlessly scrolling my phone!

I was recommended a couple of books with really really short chapters when my little one was small. For the times I could manage about 2 paragraphs!

This is exactly me. Since I had DD I can’t read. I think my brain is stuck in hyper vigilant ‘on’ mode and I can’t switch off maybe 🤷🏼‍♀️ also, I think I was previously someone who focused for hours on one task like reading, so a snatched 30 mins whilst baby naps is just unpleasant for me. In the evenings DH wants the telly on, so I can’t sit and read unless I’m alone. Which would mean we never saw each other

@KatyN Hmm that’s not a bad idea, I must look for something with short chapters to see if that breaks this massive 2-year long book slump! Or maybe a short story collection.

@SiennaMillar yes I agree, it’s the feeling that I might be interrupted, and also yes the feeling of wanting quality time and conversation with DH when our daughter is asleep.

I found this. It was really frustrating for a long time. Eventually I found it helpful to focus on sleep & rest & feeding myself properly like it was a project or a hobby in itself. Just threw everything at opportunistic napping and making sure I never got hangry, and eventually I had enough in the tank again to regain access to my brain.

Audiobooks on the nursery / school run got me back into reading, and felt much better than the phone scrolling. The New Yorker fiction podcast was great - excellent stories and I didn’t have to focus for long or remember a thousand characters’ names or complex plot twists. Also allowed me to rest my tired eyes.

I also now take an iron supplement and B complex which I think helps (I was mildly anemic and the brain fog has got better now my ferritin levels are up).

IME, it won’t just come back through you hoping it will - you actually have to retain your brain! At least I did - scrolling on my phone actually destroyed my attention span and I’m trying to rebuild it. I actually have to begin by forcing myself to read and to start reading, and then I find myself getting absorbed into the book and concentrating. But it’s taking a long time to repair and I would say that for me, screen addiction has done a lot of damage. I really dislike the fact that I always have my phone to hand when watching TV for example, rather than concentrating on the programme, so that’s my next habit to break 😬

But you do have to actively work at it. I have a rule that I must read for at least 30 mins a day.

@Bunnyhair Yes I do enjoy audiobooks actually when driving or in bed before I fall asleep! But I usually listen to non-fiction, will try that podcast you’ve recommended for some stories!

@TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross couldn’t agree more about screens, I definitely am addicted to just scrolling through Instagram or online shops! Probably because it doesn’t take much brainpower!