Why Reading Feels More Challenging as an Adult

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Abstract

bill due? Did I put an event on my calendar to pay for it?</i></p><p id="d126"><i>Oh shoot! Did I add ‘go to the grocery store on Thursday’ to my to-do list?</i></p><p id="78ba">These thoughts constantly plague my mind because I now need to remember so much for my life to run smoothly as an adult.</p><p id="b4b7">I’ve realized over time that I can only read when my mind is mostly clear of these thoughts, and I can full-heartedly focus on the book in front of me.</p><p id="35a6">Whenever stray thoughts come to me while reading, like thoughts of new things to add to my to-do list, I write them down immediately so I don’t have to continue thinking about them to remember them. Relaxation techniques like deep breathing and meditation have also helped clear my mind and made reading much easier.</p><p id="5229">However, despite these steps, reading is still more challenging as an adult. I will get into a flow state with reading, only to think about my grocery list after an hour or so.</p><p id="417a">But that’s okay. Life is just more complicated as an adult. As long as we readers keep dedicating chunks of our day to reading, we’ll still enjoy it even if our reading time is sometimes interrupted by our thoughts.</p><h2 id="2d72">Do you find it easier or harder to read now than when you were a child?</h2><p id="e948"><b>If you enjoyed the content, please follow me and leave a clap!</b></p><p id="7d24">I’m an engineer and freelance writer. I’ve worked remotely for five years and have traveled worldwide as a digital nomad. And guess what?

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If you want to get in touch about writing or travel, my email is: [email protected]</p><p id="94e9"><b>Did you like this story </b>☺️<b>? You might like these ones too </b>⬇️</p><div id="fdd1" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/the-best-way-to-combat-manic-monday-with-monday-motivation-c5c555c5f138"> <div> <div> <h2>The Best Way to Combat Manic Monday? With Monday Motivation</h2> <div><h3>Monday Motivation: make a list of what you are excited about every week!</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*eh1ifA_wVDqHY63g)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><div id="b1d1" class="link-block"> <a href="https://maliagibson.medium.com/just-a-little-intro-post-greetings-d357ea2fe987"> <div> <div> <h2>Just a little intro post — Greetings!</h2> <div><h3>Hi everyone, I’m Malia! I’m incredibly excited to start writing here on Medium and connecting with fellow writers and…</h3></div> <div><p>maliagibson.medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*q7PHy3TTp-aQBlkRMFgXpg.jpeg)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div></article></body>

When did it get harder to concentrate on reading?

Growing up, I never watched TV all that much.

For entertainment, I would read books. And books. And more books. The first book I read, with over 100 pages, was the third Harry Potter book at age nine.

Back then, diving into another world that only existed on the pages of a book was a blessing.

But now, as an adult, things have changed.

Reading felt as natural as breathing when I was a kid, but now I can’t fully immerse myself in a book like I used to.

I will open my book to a page, and my eyes will skim over the words. But here’s the kicker: my brain sometimes won’t comprehend them the first time. I will have to reread the words twice or multiple times to fully soak in their meaning.

Because as an adult, it’s now harder to concentrate while reading. There are more things to worry about than when I was a child.

Have I scheduled my doctor’s appointment yet?

When is my next phone bill due? Did I put an event on my calendar to pay for it?

Oh shoot! Did I add ‘go to the grocery store on Thursday’ to my to-do list?

These thoughts constantly plague my mind because I now need to remember so much for my life to run smoothly as an adult.

I’ve realized over time that I can only read when my mind is mostly clear of these thoughts, and I can full-heartedly focus on the book in front of me.

Whenever stray thoughts come to me while reading, like thoughts of new things to add to my to-do list, I write them down immediately so I don’t have to continue thinking about them to remember them. Relaxation techniques like deep breathing and meditation have also helped clear my mind and made reading much easier.

However, despite these steps, reading is still more challenging as an adult. I will get into a flow state with reading, only to think about my grocery list after an hour or so.

But that’s okay. Life is just more complicated as an adult. As long as we readers keep dedicating chunks of our day to reading, we’ll still enjoy it even if our reading time is sometimes interrupted by our thoughts.

Life Musings

Why Reading Feels More Challenging as an Adult

When did it get harder to concentrate on reading?

Do you find it easier or harder to read now than when you were a child?

The Best Way to Combat Manic Monday? With Monday Motivation

Monday Motivation: make a list of what you are excited about every week!

Just a little intro post — Greetings!

Hi everyone, I’m Malia! I’m incredibly excited to start writing here on Medium and connecting with fellow writers and…