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Abstract

ing pulled into many different lives.You get to see the world through a new set of eyes, at least for the next 300-somewhat pages.You will get to know so many different kinds of people. So many flawed, deeply flawed individuals.Not only will you get to know them, but you will get to understand them eventually.You get to understand how somebody became so cynical or how someone ended up becoming an addict.You get to learn where someone’s jealousy comes from and, in return, get to look at your own green-eyed monster.You get to understand why somebody did what they did.You won’t look at people the same way because you won’t judge them as fast as you used to.<h2 id="2d9e">But why is being empathetic important?</h2>Understanding others, as well as understanding yourself, is a highly important skill.Especially if you work with people, it is one of the most important skills there is.Anywhere where you must interact with others, understanding them and knowing how to talk to them is crucial.Learning how others can build trust in you, feel understood by you, and taken seriously is so valuable.Not only does this add value to your work life but your private life, too. Putting yourself into someone else’s position gives you a more balanced perspective.You will better understand how to resolve conflicts with others if you understand what they really need. Because many people are not able to formulate their needs themselves.You will understand that someone’s anger might actually be fear they don’t know ho

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w to express.At this point, many might want to object that there are non-fiction books that teach you this. You might be right. But simply by reading about it, I dare say you are not able to recognize and use it yet.Just by reading how to drive a car without ever driving, you won’t be able to drive.But reading fiction gives you the live experience. You start feeling empathetic for your main character, even if they’re deeply flawed.Even if you wouldn’t have looked at them twice if you had met them in real life.And even if you would have looked down on them if you had met them in real life.You get sweaty palms as they try to overcome a difficult obstacle, and you get mad when other people treat them like they’re better than them.<h2 id="9be7">Can I learn empathy from watching movies?</h2>For some funny fact, the people I know who consider reading fiction books a waste of time have no problem with watching fiction movies (don’t ask me why).I do believe that by watching (certain) fiction movies, you feel empathy with your flawed hero (main character). But you will always stay an observer from the outside.Reading a fiction story, reading the characters’ thoughts, and getting to know them inside out is way more intense.All in all, I believe fiction books should not be left out of reading lists. You might not be able to see its (learning-)value at first sight but learn you will.And, oh, I almost forgot:The main reason I read fiction is because it’s darn fun, and I love it!Happy reading!</article></body>

Why Reading Fiction is Important

I know a lot of people who consider fiction books a waste of time.

Because they want the productive stuff, the stuff you can learn from…

And many people believe they can only learn valuable information from non-fiction books.

Hm.

But I don’t blame them. It’s what most “high-productivity-gurus” teach and preach:

‘Squeeze in as many non-fiction books as you can.’

‘Add twenty minutes of reading non-fiction to your morning routine.’

Ugh, I can’t hear it anymore.

But let me be clear: I have nothing against non-fiction. I have read and still read many non-fiction books myself. There is no doubt that these books contain valuable power and knowledge, and everyone should include non-fiction books on their reading list.

But what I can’t deal with anymore is being looked at weirdly or hearing comments like I’m wasting my time by reading a novel.

Are you serious?!

Because there is one thing, I’d claim, no non-fiction book can teach you:

Becoming highly empathetic.

By reading fiction, a lot of it, you’re being pulled into many different worlds. You’re being pulled into many different lives.

You get to see the world through a new set of eyes, at least for the next 300-somewhat pages.

You will get to know so many different kinds of people. So many flawed, deeply flawed individuals.

Not only will you get to know them, but you will get to understand them eventually.

You get to understand how somebody became so cynical or how someone ended up becoming an addict.

You get to learn where someone’s jealousy comes from and, in return, get to look at your own green-eyed monster.

You get to understand why somebody did what they did.

You won’t look at people the same way because you won’t judge them as fast as you used to.

But why is being empathetic important?

Understanding others, as well as understanding yourself, is a highly important skill.

Especially if you work with people, it is one of the most important skills there is.

Anywhere where you must interact with others, understanding them and knowing how to talk to them is crucial.

Learning how others can build trust in you, feel understood by you, and taken seriously is so valuable.

Not only does this add value to your work life but your private life, too. Putting yourself into someone else’s position gives you a more balanced perspective.

You will better understand how to resolve conflicts with others if you understand what they really need. Because many people are not able to formulate their needs themselves.

You will understand that someone’s anger might actually be fear they don’t know how to express.

At this point, many might want to object that there are non-fiction books that teach you this. You might be right. But simply by reading about it, I dare say you are not able to recognize and use it yet.

Just by reading how to drive a car without ever driving, you won’t be able to drive.

But reading fiction gives you the live experience. You start feeling empathetic for your main character, even if they’re deeply flawed.

Even if you wouldn’t have looked at them twice if you had met them in real life.

And even if you would have looked down on them if you had met them in real life.

You get sweaty palms as they try to overcome a difficult obstacle, and you get mad when other people treat them like they’re better than them.

Can I learn empathy from watching movies?

For some funny fact, the people I know who consider reading fiction books a waste of time have no problem with watching fiction movies (don’t ask me why).

I do believe that by watching (certain) fiction movies, you feel empathy with your flawed hero (main character). But you will always stay an observer from the outside.

Reading a fiction story, reading the characters’ thoughts, and getting to know them inside out is way more intense.

All in all, I believe fiction books should not be left out of reading lists. You might not be able to see its (learning-)value at first sight but learn you will.

And, oh, I almost forgot:

The main reason I read fiction is because it’s darn fun, and I love it!

Happy reading!