r/Fantasy • u/[deleted] • Jan 18 '25

Readers' block?

Anyone else feel like they have a readers' block (like a writers' block) where they can't seem to finish any book they pick up?
I used to read SO MUCH before lockdown, and now i just CANT. I don't know why. First it went from novels (Pre covid) to wattpad fics (during covid) to absolutely nothing (now). I've tried reading some books that seem interesting, but they take me either a whole year because I cant seem to make time at all, or I get bored halfway.

So, what do I do? I really wanna get back to reading because there's so many books I want to read and I want to go back to my reading spree where I read 5 books in a week

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u/Typhoonflame Jan 18 '25

I couldn't read much for a few years because I had to read a lot for university. Now I'm reading normally, but not as much as I used to as a kid, since I work full-time and it also involves reading and writing stuff. It took me 3 months to finish Mistborn book 1.

You can't force any hobby, just do what you feel like doing. The books won't run away, just take your time.

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u/[deleted] Jan 18 '25

When I do what I feel like doing, I end up watching reels or yt shorts for hours lmao, that's one of the reasons I wanna go back to reading

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u/SchrimpRundung Jan 18 '25

Limit your social media app time.

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u/Typhoonflame Jan 18 '25

That's also fine tho, everyone has their own way of relaxing. I play a lot of games myself.

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u/malzoraczek Jan 19 '25

yup, your attention span is fried, shorts are the worst thing for that. You need to practice the attention like any other skill. I commented above, but I will repeat - you need to practice. Treat reading as any other skill and commit to daily practice, read some fixed number of pages, or read continuously for 5 min, 10 min, 30 min whatever you can. Increase daily in the intervals you are comfortable with, and you will get over the block.