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Jack Davenport's avatar

In terms of non-work related reading, dropped off over the last couple of years. Really had to force myself to get back into a regular habit of reading, and having a meaningful effort each day. Means balancing around baby duty and putting phone away, but definite improvement since new regimen. Seeing positive signs too for wellbeing, esp. mental health.

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Aditi Kutty's avatar

I love the term 'lapsed reader'; I've finally found a way to describe the majority of my 20s. Like you, I grew up reading to escape, and with restricted access to the internet, TV and video games, it was my main form of avoiding participating in the real world. All of that stopped when I started university and became more independent. I was only reading comic books, fanfiction and social media, all of which I still enjoy but don't count as reading to me. I don't know if it was the pressure to keep up with whatever books were popular at the time or the need to make sure I'm reading something 'productive' to make the most of my time, but a book always felt like an investment I couldn't afford to make.

I'll be 29 this year and I've fallen in love with reading again. I've stopped thinking of it as an investment and more of a break from daily life. A good non-fiction is still a form of escape to me. I don't know if it's the best method for absorbing information but it's definitely brought the joy back into reading for me. I hate measuring reading with numbers but I went from struggling through one or two books to reading 16 last year. Might not be a lot for some, but feels like it to me!

Sorry about the long comment. I came across these words on instagram and wanted to read the full thing as they're very timely for me; I've been thinking about this all month! Thank you!

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