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> That adds anxiety, as if I am missing out on other things while I read. I'd wager this right there is the problem. Sounds like you're reading through books
by senko 6y ago
> That adds anxiety, as if I am missing out on other things while I read.
I'd wager this right there is the problem.
Sounds like you're reading through books like they are a chore. Instead, find one book with a subject/theme that interests you (so the subject itself is not boring) and then try to relax and read slowly.
If it's fiction, savor every word and phrase, try to visualise the description/emotion/action. If it's non-fiction, think through what what you just read means, why is that's so (it's okay to not have answers, questions are important).
I know "try to relax" is unhelpful. But one approach I'd try is to carve out a block of time (say, 1hr), put your phone/devices on Do Not Disturb, set an alarm for one hour (so you don't think too much time's slipping away) and just read.
It's purely anecdotal, but both me and a couple of friends commented on how consuming short content (eg. youtube videos, short blog posts) led to "attention atrophy". If the content doesn't "get to the point" immediately, we get anxious and bored.
If this describes you as well, try consuming less short-form and more long-form content (longer videos, longer in-depth articles, etc).
- varispeed 6y ago> "attention atrophy" That is probably true. Now if something is longer than 5 minutes I don't watch it end to end, but keep skipping "to the point". When I listen to lectures, I am always listening at fastest speed possible and also skip. I tried meditation as well, but I have this feeling of doom crawling around my thoughts when I meditate. Like I am sitting here meditating, and worry that work is not being done. I need to get to the bottom of this.
- nocturnes 6y agoThis sounds a lot like ADHD, especially in terms of the focus on getting 'to the point' (which can be maladaptive if it results in routinely skipping over the 'filler', which is very often crucial to developing deep understanding).
- varispeed 6y agoI need to read more about this. I thought you can't develop ADHD in adulthood. I suffer from chronic pain and when the symptoms were worse I had to constantly do something to take my attention away from pain. Now I am getting quite good medication so I don't have to do that often. But I was definitely able to watch even very long lectures and I read many books when I was younger without problem. Brain is such a fascinating device :-)