If you’re a fan of Inscape, you’re probably a reading enthusiast. But even the most avid bookworm can catch a case of the reading blues.
You know how it goes—you look at the book lying on your nightstand with guilt and loathing, begrudgingly flipping through the pages that should feel like a joy but instead feel like a chore. Reading slumps happen to all of us, but the good news is you don’t have to force your way through them. Here are a few simple ways to rekindle your love of reading.
1. Change Your Environment
Sometimes all we need is a change of scenery. If your bed feels uninspiring, try a window seat at your local coffee shop, stretch out on a blanket in the park, or sit on a quiet bench in an art museum. Even something as simple as getting out an old, cozy blanket from your linen closet and snuggling up with a warm drink in your hand can transform your reading experience. Creating a setting that can help you romanticize reading can make all the difference.
2. Try a Different Genre or Format
If novels aren’t exciting you, mix it up! Try something new: a short story collection, a memoir, a book of poetry. Graphic novels and audiobooks are also great ways to ease back into the habit of consuming literature without having to commit to a 500-page novel.
3. Wander Around a Bookstore
There’s just something about a bookstore: the warm lighting, the colorful rows of books, the smell of fresh paper and ink. Instead of forcing yourself into finding something you should read, let yourself wander. Look for a cover that matches your aesthetic or a title that stops you in your tracks.
4. Revisit an Old Favorite
You know that book that made you fall in love with reading? Go find it in your bookshelf, dust it off, and reread it. Rereading an old favorite can remind you of the joys of reading. There is so much comfort and nostalgia in familiar characters and treasured plots, and it might be just what you need to jump into something new.
5. Don’t Force It
The worst thing you can do for the reading blues is force it. If you’re just not feeling it, that is okay! Let yourself take a break without feeling bad about it. Sometimes stepping away from the books to watch a movie, listen to some music, or just think, is exactly what we need. The books will be there when you’re ready for them.
Remember, reading slumps aren’t forever. Be patient with yourself, try out these gentle resets, and before you know it, you’ll be feeling that joy of reading again.
By Eliza Wynn
Picture heading from Thought Catalogue, pexels.com
