Have you lost your joy for reading as you struggle with the unending pressure to read and acquire more books? Let’s explore the concept of intentional reading as I share slow reading tips that will help you enter your soft life reading era.
The Cause of Reader Burnout
As reading has become a wild sensation courtesy of social media apps like TikTok transforming it from a nerdy hobby into a popular lifestyle aesthetic introducing the joy of reading to a whole new subset of people. And while it’s an exciting time for readers and the publishing industry alike as this reading frenzy has increased sales, and revitalized the public’s interest in this cozy past time.
It’s also allowed that creeper mc creeperton capitalism to come slithering in and led to the commodification and oftentimes overconsumption of books. Be it via the increase of purchasing books and endless TBR’s, or the intense pressure placed on readers to consume books at a break neck pace due to FOMO.
Thus, creating burnout for many readers due to the belief that it’s impossible to enjoy reading because of comparison culture in bookish spaces, and quantity-driven goals focused on who can consume the most books in a given week, month or year creating a wildly unrealistic approach to reading.
How To Spot Reader Burnout
You can tell if you’re struggling with reader burnout if you find that you’re struggling to find joy in books and reading. You feel pressured by reading challenges or feel you need to read popular books to stay relevant or keep up with popular BookTok creators. You feel overwhelmed by your TBR and the sheer volume of books you have to read.
You’re frustrated with the fact that you don’t read fast enough as others, or you’re not reading as much as others on a monthly or yearly basis. Perhaps worst of all is the initial spark of joy you found with reading is gone and it’s not as interesting to you anymore.
The “Soft Life” Reading Philosophy
Learning how to embrace reading for joy and realizing that reading isn’t a competition and it’s more than an aesthetic. Reading is a fun, joy-filled past time that can entertain and enlighten through the art of storytelling. While there’s nothing wrong with TBR carts, reading challenges, creating the perfect reading aesthetic and atmosphere or connecting with other readers in the greater reading community.
You have to recognize the difference between realistic reading that happens in the lives of those that don’t post about their reading online. Your reading hobby will not look like that of a Book content creator who creates bookish content reviewing, recommending and sharing bookish content. It’s meant to inspire and share the joy of reading and books not shame you for not reading the way they do.
Your TBR won’t be as massive as that of a person who’s built an online presence and career reading for a living. And, that’s ok. You don’t have to rush out and buy every new release like your fave creators. They’re a business that is sometimes sent books by publishers and when purchasing books with their own dollars they can use them as a tax write-off for business expenses.
So in no way should you compare and try to emulate what they do. Chances are your reading pace, book acquisition and approach to reading is fine as it is.
Ok, now that we’ve got that covered the next step to entering your soft life reader era is to focus on intentionally reading and enjoying books at a pace that’s sustainable and organic to you and your lifestyle. That may look like reading weekly or every other day whatever works best for your schedule.
If you elect to read daily don’t force yourself into long reading sessions try reading for twenty or thirty minutes daily or read two to three chapters when you get the spare time. What feels good to you and nourishes your soul?
Another key aspect of the slow reading lifestyle is to spend time savoring the book that you’re reading creating a more immersive reading experience where you connect with the characters, writing style, themes opening the door for a more critical and thoughtful approach to reading making you a more critical reader.
Prioritize reading books that are equal parts joyful and challenging enriching you emotionally and intellectually. Become quality-driven and select books that align with your reading personality and unique reading goals.
Slow Reading Tips for Embracing Intentional Reading
Now that we have the right mindset and approach for soft life reading let’s dive into actionable tips you can start today to begin transitioning away from the book productivity rat race.
1. Release the Numbers Game
As a goal-oriented people it becomes second nature to utilize this approach to hold us accountable for following through with reading. And, while reading goals whether it’s a set number of books to read monthly or a certain number of pages to read daily or fine and dandy. However, if these goals are creating stress and pressure turning your hobby into a nightmare it maybe time to take a break from goal setting.
Instead, aim to focus on reading in a way that fits into your lifestyle holistically infusing it into your daily routine prioritizing mood based reading. Select and read books that feel good focusing on genres, authors, themes and topics that align with who you are in this present moment and what your current self needs.
Treat books and reading like a literary piece of art opting to savor it the way you would a glass of fine wine. Release yourself from the pressure of reading daily and just let it come to you naturally. So what if you read a few times a week. Or who cares if you only read three books a month. What matters is how it makes you feel and how you engage with the book.
Not only will this decrease stress allowing you to find joy in reading again. But, your critical thinking and comprehension skills will sharpen allowing to engage with the text differently and have a more satisfactory reading experience.
2. Curate A Gentle TBR
Don’t fall into the overwhelming fifty plus TBR trap. Stick to simple, manageable TBR’s where you can complete them easily over a period of time. Swap monthly TBR’s for seasonal TBR’s or mood-based TBR’s if you’re a mood reader.
When curating these TBR’s focus on keeping them realistic to your lifestyle and reading habits. If you only read four books a month don’t build a seasonal TBR of twenty books. If there’s new releases you want to read you can always add them to your TBR or create a someday TBR with books that you’re interested in but aren’t in a rush to read.
Also, when building your TBR prioritize reading books you already own before purchasing more. Strive to read forty to fifty percent of your physical TBR before purchasing more. Not only will this decrease overwhelm but it will help you save money as well.
3. Create Rituals Around Reading
One of the best ways to embody the soft life approach to reading is to romanticize it and make it a part of your self-care routine. Explore slow morning curled up in your favorite reading space with a cup of coffee or tea enjoying your favorite book. Doesn’t that just scream relaxation and cozy goodness?
If you enjoy a little background ambiance visit you local café, park or library. Check out silent book club groups in your area and join other readers seeking to create an intentional moment enjoying getting lost in a book. Make reading a treasured act where you practice the art of remaining present.
4. Prioritize Quality Over Quantity
Get picky about what books get your time and attention. Seek to read books that you enjoy and those that aren’t sparking that feeling of excitement and desire to get lost in it’s pages swap out for something that light you on fire. Life is too short to spend time reading a book that you don’t enjoy.
Explore other formats of reading outside novels. Experiment with nonfiction reading essays, and poetry. Or give novellas and short story collections a try. These short, digestible pieces of literature are quick and easy to get into and enjoy requiring less pressure and commitment to complete.
5. Savor The Process
Revel in intentional living with books and enjoy the act of reading for all it’s worth. Take notes or annotate. Perhaps, journal your thoughts, reflections, and feelings about what you’re reading. Take breaks between books instead of bingeing one book after another. Allow time for the book’s content to permeate into your brain and truly impact you.
It’s ok to step off the hamster wheel of book productivity and the endless pressure to consume books rapidly. Doing so will only benefit your mental health by decreasing stress and anxiety. You’ll find you’re better able to connect with the books you read and the authors that create the characters and stories that fascinate you. Instead of forgetting what you read you’ll improve your memory and comprehension of the novel’s contents creating a more enriching experience. Adapting to this mindset aligns with the soft life movement and the need for burned out stressed readers to create a lifesytle and reading hobby that’s intentional and mindful. Let me know what tips you plan to implement to become a more intentional, slow reader?
