Help with focus to get back into reading

[Anonymous]

Debated posting this in Perimenopause but ultimately landed here. At this time, I am not looking for medication suggestions. I’m 43.

I used to be an avid reader. Now, I cannot focus to save my life. I have focus blockers on my phone and everything.

It’s either brain fog or I’ve ruined my attention span.

At this time, I’m looking for actual practical solutions on how to get back into reading. Whether it’s to read two pages and then get up? Reread your favorite book?

I would do anything to become a reader again honestly but my brain is just completely failing me.

Thank you for taking the time to respond in earnest.

[Anonymous]

Put your phone on DND in a drawer in another room and read a paper book

[Anonymous]

Audiobook? I find it hard to read, but I can listen. Start with something light.

[Anonymous]

I have adhd and am 45. Paperwhite kindle worked for me
.

[Anonymous]

I went through this too, OP. Peri and stress. One thing that helps us trying different genres and authors, anything to see if it might hook you. You need page turners, whatever that means for you. I read sci fi, mysteries, suspense. No literary fiction except for very light books. Romance didn't work for me.

Short story collections were good too. Lower commitment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Audiobook? I find it hard to read, but I can listen. Start with something light.

+1. This helped me a lot when I went through a similar period. I listened while I went on walks. And I agree on starting with something light.

[Anonymous]

ADHD mom in perimenopause—the struggle is real!!

I had to dumb down the books I used to read! I tend to pick up lighter chick lit now. They’re not poorly written, but they have very strong tropes that they follow. The characters are usually well developed and they are easy to read. It’s not refined literature, I’m not learning anything new, but I love escaping into their worlds and winding down before bed with a real book in my hand.

[Anonymous]

I've had the same issue recently and I'm getting better at reading more, here's what helped me:

- Reading before bed instead of scrolling, and this was actually kind of hard to do! If I got bored or wanted to scroll then that was "proof" that it was time to sleep. If I couldn't sleep then I had to read. If I let myself scroll I would limit to 5 minutes and I wouldn't open things like instagram, it's designed to suck me in and waste my time.

- Acting like reading is a treat. It calms me down! I sleep better when I read! On weekends I'll leave my phone in another room, pour a glass of wine, and get cozy in my favorite place to read. That's the type of thing I do on vacation, why not do it at home? Same with reading in the bath. Associate it with relaxing. Sometimes I'll go to lunch by myself with a book.

- Now that the weather is better I'll leave my phone at home (I know not everyone is comfortable with that one) and take a book to the park. If a book is my only form of entertainment I'll use it.

- Agree with everyone suggesting "lighter" reads. I was reading some easier chick lit, now I'm starting to enjoy some heavier books. Build your way back up.

It's basically "self parenting" and a bit of just forcing it.

[Anonymous]

I am the same. I try to read just few pages at a time first thing in the morning while I drink my coffee. That’s the only time of day I can really focus. If it takes me a year to get through a book, so be it. I’d rather go in five page increments than give up reading for good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:ADHD mom in perimenopause—the struggle is real!!

I had to dumb down the books I used to read! I tend to pick up lighter chick lit now. They’re not poorly written, but they have very strong tropes that they follow. The characters are usually well developed and they are easy to read. It’s not refined literature, I’m not learning anything new, but I love escaping into their worlds and winding down before bed with a real book in my hand.

Suggestions?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Audiobook? I find it hard to read, but I can listen. Start with something light.

Read the audiobook from Libby and read the physical book AT THE SAME TIME until you get into the book. The voice keeps your eyes focused on the words in the physical book.

I also keep a piece of paper or cardboard as a bookmark and write down every character with a brief description - something like:

Marcia - mother, journalist
Richard - husband, math teacher, cancer
Helen - annoying neighbor
Matt - son, 16, gamer

Once I've written them down, they are clearer in my mind.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:ADHD mom in perimenopause—the struggle is real!!

I had to dumb down the books I used to read! I tend to pick up lighter chick lit now. They’re not poorly written, but they have very strong tropes that they follow. The characters are usually well developed and they are easy to read. It’s not refined literature, I’m not learning anything new, but I love escaping into their worlds and winding down before bed with a real book in my hand.

Suggestions?

NP find older mystery books that tend to be 100-160 pages. I don't know why modern books are 400-500 pages when everyone's attention spans are fried. Maybe book editors can't focus either.

Agatha Christie and contemporary writers' books aren't that long. Steinbeck and Hemingway books often aren't that long.

[Anonymous]

Emily Henry for light romance
The Wedding People one of my favorites
Consider the Narnia Chronicles or Harry Potter - lighter and the British narrators are very easy to listen to imo

[Anonymous]

I can tell you what happened for me after not reading for a few years due to peri lack of focus (and I've always been a huge reader, read pretty much everyday of my life before that). I re-read a book I knew I loved. A book I love for many reasons. It broke the ice, and I've read like crazy ever since. YMMV

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have adhd and am 45. Paperwhite kindle worked for me
.

A kindle helped me immensely as well. Not sure why, but it did.