Does anyone have the bad habit of reading Mumsnet instead of reading actual books?

[Eucalyptus22]

I often have great intentions of sitting down and chilling out with a book, but inevitably end up on Mumsnet instead.
AIBU - no, I still read books.
AINBU - me too! Can't help it, '10 mins' turns into a lot longer

Nope, because I read books either to relax at bedtime or to inform myself of something I am keen to know about.

Mumsnet is a quick flick through in between those times to see what the topics are going to be in slack time at work...

Yes.

I often have to wait for DC at training sessions for an hour or so. Perfect time to get a decent bit of reading done.

Very often book lies unopened while I scroll MN.

Sometimes I'm ok with that - it's after a long day in work & I'm tired. But sometimes I feel rubbish after it, drawn into threads that aren't good for me!

I have to consciously set time for reading now. I'm on holidays at the moment & set a target of a number of books to read, which sounds unrelaxing but focuses me on making sure I read.

Unfortunately, I also have a very specific taste in literature and having to go to the trouble of even trawling through lists and lists of books, usually only to be disappointed, puts me off.

Pathetic I know, but if someone presented me with a pile of pre-selected books that I would be guaranteed to fall in love with, I wouldn't have a problem. But that's never going to happen.

Maybe there's a gap in the market there

Thanks for all the replies, the result is almost unanimous that we're all 'guilty'. Really enjoyed the analogies of Mumsnet being more like making chit chat with strangers at the bus stop, or reading a magazine, whereas books are nourishing for the soul. Resonate and agree very much with how we're all feeling.

Mumsnet is really entertaining and fascinating, but I don't get the same feelings of accomplishment and satisfaction as I do from reading a book. It's more like, 'lol, that was fun'.

In other areas I don't have a problem with screen addiction (SM etc.) but the range of topics available on Mumsnet there is just no end, and a bit like reading reviews on Amazon for something you may or may not buy, it's just so interesting reading other people's views on things even if you have no stake In the game.

Relationship problems? Fine right now. Absolutely fascinating reading other people's scenarios though and the pages and pages of advice given for something that doesn't even apply to me.

Need a new work laptop bag? Nope, WFH. Let's see what other people recommend though (why?!).

I know deep down I would love the enrichment from reading my very high pile of books waiting for me, but the lure of a quick Mumsnet session is for some reason too alluring.

Guilty as charged.

But I've just been on a fortnight's holiday with almost zero wi-fi signal. I read six books!

Indeed! That's why I added the pic! 😀

It was my first thought when i read the title, so it had to be done 😅

@BackupFail

I appreciate your view, and despite disgareeing, have not successfully managed to do something about it though so don't feel that I can argue too hard with integrity.

Perhaps this view is the product of the tech/SM driven world we are all subscribed to, despite any efforts not to be.

Yes and I hate myself for it. I have about 3000 books on my Kindle and every night I’m just reading Mumsnet forums 🥹

I'm sorry for your situation. I'm glad you're falling back in love with reading though and imagine your time will feel a lot more fulfilled than 'doom scrolling' as others have described it.

So happy for you! Hoping I will be able to say something similar soon.

Really happy for you and another pocket of inspiration!

Haha!

Excellent analogy to the magazines. When I have time to chill out, I don't even watch tv shows or a film anymore, I'll read on Mumsnet instead.

My head was always in a book until the internet. Sad really

I'm thinking about asking MN to ban me for 6 months it's got so bad 😣 need to get off of the Internet and back into reality!

You're right, I'm not tarnishing Mumsnet on the whole as a bad habit, it's bloody great and brings me so much light entertainment. But when it's gotten to the point it replaces a really good habit entirely (reading), it can feel like quite a loss/sad.

How to get off it?

I would need my laptop locked in a cupboard or something.

Wow, well done on reading 3 or 4 books a week! What a fabulous use of your time. Whereas if you said you spent 3-4 hours a day on Mumsnet, that would not sound so great. So there definitely is a difference to the value and quality of reading books

Reading books isn't 'wet', it's brilliant. I love MN and have over the years by turns been supported, amused, educated, outraged, inspired and laughed til a bit of wee comes out because of it. But reading books on topics I'm interested in is more edifying and leaves a more lasting impression, and definitely improves my mind in a way 'DH left skidmarks on his undies should I LTB' doesn't. Although there is definitely room for both!

I flounced and de-regged in October 2021 for a week. Re-regged when I needed wanted advice on where to take DC for half term.

I think it's more like social media where people don't actually find it very relaxing, but find it quite addictive in terms of the interaction and fast pace/ responses. It's not particularly good for concentration, memory or attention span.

That's great that you've felt the worth and will hopefully compound to continue the good habit!

Reading has led me to study (I'm starting an OU degree in September) so it's definitely more enriching than MN, much as I love MN! Reading and playing bass are my two main hobbies. Although MN is on that list too, albeit further down!