Have you ever really looked forward to reading a book but, when it comes to picking it up, you just can’t read? You physically cannot read the words or take the information in? Welcome to your reading slump; a book lover’s worst enemy. So, what are the signs you’re in a reading slump? And how do you get out of it?
One of the biggest signs you’re entering a reading slump is your attention levels. Are you finding that, when you’re reading, you are often checking your phone? Or thinking about a million things other than the book? When you’re giving attention to other things, you need to put the book down. You may also find that, with this lack of attention, you don’t care as much about the novel. That’s another sign you’re in a slump.
A reading slump shouldn’t be confused with reading a bad book. If you’re reading a bad book, you probably won’t feel any remorse for putting it down. There’s a lot of guilt that comes with a reading slump, mostly because you’re not entirely sure why you’re in it. You might be slightly stressed about the fact that you can’t seem to care about the characters. Or, you may feel guilty about not giving this book your full attention.
You could be in a reading slump due to any changes in your life. Perhaps the time you dedicate to reading is now filled by something else. Or, you may have read too much and are burning out. Whatever it is, it’s completely normal. I bet even Jane Austen found herself in a slump sometimes. The main thing is that you get out of the slump, and here’s some tips on how to do that.
Read a Shorter Book
Perhaps the book you’re tackling is hitting the 400-page mark. Try swapping it out for something shorter! Many people have swapped ‘War and Peace’ for ‘The Great Gatsby’, so you can do the same. You can always return to it later anyway. Shorter books tend to be more fast-paced, so this will pick you up out of any lengthy slump.
Switch It Up
Shake things up from your usual reading habits! If you like reading indoors, try taking a book to a local park or sit in your garden. You may find that your concentration levels change in a different environment. If you’re a daytime reader, give night-time reading a go! Prefer to read in silence? Have some background noise. Changing your habits may change your reading life.
Accept the Slump
Accept and embrace the slump. We’ve all been there. If you can accept it, you can slowly work your way out of it. You can set yourself challenges of a chapter a day. Go easy on yourself, the book will always be there.
Hopefully, with these tips, a reading slump will become much more manageable! They can be frustrating, overwhelming, and annoying. But a reading slump will pass. A book will always wait for you.