I want to read books but my mad mind won't let me

[WickedWineWitch]

I used to love getting into bed and reading for hours. Now, when I try, all of my anxious thoughts flood over me and I can't concentrate or get into it. It almost feels like I have too much to worry about to allow myself the luxury of escaping into a book. I don't know how to break this habit - has anybody else managed?

Horror

Audio books?

I read when the DCs do activities.
For one of them, it's not worth heading home so I go to a nearby pub with a book for 45 mins. Bliss!

Could you write your worries down then sort of mentally transfer them to the paper and out of your mind?

If you're religious, saying a prayer can help as you hand them over to God.

I can do podcasts but I really want to read again. Haha maybe horror would distract me 😂

I know exactly what you mean Op. I have a literature degree and pre DC would spend every spare minute I could reading and would often read myself to sleep. Since my eldest was born and even worse since my youngest was born I really
struggle to quieten my mind enough to read. I find I don’t concentrate on the words and my mind wanders elsewhere so I just waste time staring at the same page for 5 minutes.

What helped me was reading a couple of short books - reading Claire Keegan’s ‘So Late in the Day’ got me out of my slump as I read it over a couple of nights and I kept the momentum going by picking up another straight away. I do still have weeks at a time where I just can’t pick one up and have accepted that I’ll go through phases with it.

Works for me

Yes this is exactly how it is - I could have written this, thank you

I’ve been like this for some years. Started with perimenopause.
Ive been getting back into reading by choosing gripping thrillers, comedy and easy going books… will attempt something more literary soon!

I know what you mean, I've had times like that too; really sucks not to be able to enjoy a good book, especially as it's meant to distract you!

What I've done to break the cycle is just to concentrate on the words, push other thoughts away, until you really get into the book.

I find it's hard as often books start off like of kind of meh until you get into them after a chapter or two.
Then there's no looking back, the book becomes a treat to pick up when days are crowded and full.

I was in the exact same position, like PP I have a literature degree and was used to reading all the time but I found myself like you, unable to get more than a few pages or chapters into a book.

What helped me was Agatha Christie! I had read many of them before, but just found them the exact mix of easy to read but not so boring I couldn't get into them. I read nothing but Agatha Christie for a while and it kind of eased me back into reading and now I am back in the saddle and read all the time.

I also found if i was ever on the train that was the ideal place to read as I couldn't do anything else.

I find a real page-turner, popcorn thriller does the trick. Fast paced, short chapters and addictive easy reads. Try authors like Freida McFadden, her books are addictive and not exactly difficult to read but twisty and fun! With a full time job and young children I need something that's going to hook me from page 1. I still manage an hour before bed by trying to get in bed by 9.30 most nights.

Not a very cost effective option but I love downloading a Kindle edition AND the audio book and switching between the two or reading along. Good for when you're getting sleepy but don't want to put a book down.

Can you put some relaxing music on at the same time?

Also, if you’re not taking to a book, don’t stress about not finishing it, ditch it and find something new.

kindles are great. A lot of good books only cost 99p

I’ve got a literature degree and have got to the point where I can barely concentrate enough to read a couple of chapters. I blame my phone…

Yes I blame my phone a bit for it too. I have managed 4 chapters of a new book this eve thanks to this thread. Will try to keep it up!

Playing relaxing music - peaceful piano on Spotify while I read has really helped me. Before I started doing this at the beginning of the year I hadn’t read fiction for 10+ years!

Re-read something you know well or try something aimed at teenagers.

If my mind won't be quiet I read out loud but very quietly. It seems to stop the thoughts for me.

Routine. I've stopped watching TV in the evening.

After dinner etc is done, I do a YouTube dance workout to top my steps up to 10 k as I WFH and am becoming horrifically sedentary now. Have a teen who doesn't need to be taken on the school run / park visits etc. then a shower, moisturise, ped egg my feet and clar varnish on nails if it's come off. Then in bed with a warm drink and my book.

I am far more relaxed, sleeping better and feel altogether better in myself. Instead of just sitting on my phone in front of the TV.

When I get back I to reading I start with something light and funny Richard Osman books are good for that as they take no brain power and then once back in the habit I can tackle something harder.

I find asking Alexa to play some kind of background sounds helps me read (light rainfall or the sea are my favourites).