To me, a reading slump is when no matter how hard I try, nothing holds my interest. I feel disconnected and uninterested. Reading stops being enjoyable and starts to feel forced, which is hard for people to believe because of how literary-oriented my life is.
I don't read as frequently as I used to. The days of hitting 150 books a year are long gone. Now that I’ve been in the workforce for nine years, I’ve realized that work is plenty and life has other distractions. I still try to get through a good selection of books per year, but when life gets exhausting, it can really kill your reading buzz.
When a slump hits, here is how I get back on track.
Stop Reading
It may not seem like the obvious choice, but you need to stop. Just take a break from books in general. You are only going to frustrate yourself further if nothing you pick is sticking. During these breaks, I don't even bother with my old favorites. I turn to podcasts or films instead. I am also looking into audiobooks as a potential fix.
Watch a Film
Films are just another form of storytelling with visual and audio aids. Whenever I am on a break from reading, I am definitely binge-watching a series. It is a soothing and productive distraction from my reading woes. I have started balancing the two: in my free time I read before bed, and other times I watch a show.
Switch Genres
When I am struggling, I switch lanes. I go from contemporary to fantasy or mystery to romance. I dig around until I find a story that sticks. This is actually the best time to try a genre you have always been curious about because it is something new. I suggest True Crime if that is not your usual cup of tea; it always works for me. If you’re looking for a fresh start, if you haven’t tried it yet the So Many African Books website is the best for this. Just pick a mood and let us find your next read.
Re-read Favorites
I love reading, but sometimes I don’t have the energy for something new. When a slump has its hooks in me and I need to read, I go back to books I have loved before. I know what to expect and it comforts me.
Buddy Read
Reading with someone else is a great way to combat a slump. You set a pace, read a certain number of chapters a day, and discuss them along the way. It makes reading interactive. If you are looking for a partner, reach out to me. We might be able to help each other out.
Write
Another thing I do when I can’t read is write. I think of stories I would like to tell and I plot them out. I may never actually write the full book, but doing the outline gets me hyped to read similar stories in the name of research.
Go Out
I notice I fall into a slump when I don’t switch things up in my daily life. If all I do is work, go home, read, and blog, I am burning myself out. Now I randomly go out of my way to do things I usually don't do. Take a walk, go window shopping, or just go to a park and embrace life. It hits the reset button and gives you a better perspective.
I have shared what causes my reading slumps and how I manage them, but I want to hear your perspective. How do you handle the "reading buzz" dying out when life gets in the way? Let me know your thoughts.