Many young adults prefer almost any form of entertainment over reading. Podcasts, movies, video games, and social media take over how we spend our time. Given that many of us have short attention spans due to social media, it’s understandable. Most entertainment is either very low effort, like watching Netflix, or highly engaging, like playing video games. This leaves reading awkwardly in between, making it feel uncomfortable. I personally reached a point where I was tired of people telling me I needed to read more books and how good it would be for me. This article is not about all the benefits of reading and why you should force yourself to do it. Reading doesn’t have to be forced when you find ways to enjoy it genuinely. Here’s how I went from a resistant non-reader to someone who can’t get enough of it.
There are two main reasons reading feels uncomfortable: first is the “it’s too much work,” and the second is “it’s not engaging enough.” Starting with the biggest misconception, reading doesn’t have to be high effort. This isn’t groundbreaking, but audiobooks are your best friend. You don’t have to sit still and stare into space for it to count. If you can listen to music or podcasts, you can listen to an audiobook while cleaning, driving, working out, crafting, literally anything.
Another key part in actually enjoying reading is to read what you actually enjoy. If you love health and wellness, don’t make yourself read a fantasy novel about magic and dragons. If you’re the type of person who enjoys a super cheesy romance, why would you make yourself read a historical analysis or personal finance guide? There’s nothing wrong with going outside your comfort zone once you’re used to reading, but if you’re just starting to read as a hobby, start off easy with something you know will keep you interested.
The second issue is engagement. A lot of people think engaging with a book means writing a book report, or something boring, which we all associate with high school. In reality, engagement is the best part. Just because you’re listening to a book doesn’t mean the experience has to end there. TikTok, YouTube, and other platforms have huge communities dedicated to reviews, recommendations, memes, and all the tea about authors. Having millions of unfiltered opinions at your fingertips makes reading way more fun. Also, nobody is hooked within the first ten minutes of reading. Spoiler-free recommendations can help you get invested without waiting four chapters.
Books also tend to have a very specific vibe, and chances are someone has made a playlist to match it. These playlists often include songs mentioned in the book or that capture the overall mood. It’s fun to see how different people interpret the same story through music. If you’re more of a visual person (or just love Pinterest), making a Pinterest board based on the book’s vibe is SO fun. It gives you a visual collage of how you imagined the story, and it’s an amazing way to remember books you read a year ago when the details start to blur.
There’s also been a recent trend of “romanticizing your life,” and I’m 100% here for it. Finding beauty in everyday moments is important, and books are a perfect way to do that. If your vibe is sunsets, tea, pajamas, and a good book, lean into it. If you’re on vacation, bring a book, get comfy, find the playlist, make the Pinterest board, connect with people online, and enjoy it all. Reading doesn’t have to feel like work; it can be genuinely fun.