In the journey to be proud of where I am in life, I am trying to get back to things that helped me feel alive, things that make life worth living.
One thing I have been getting back into is reading. And for the sake of it, I have been carrying this stupid book everywhere I go for three long months. It has been to Cebu, Bohol, Isabela, Ilocos, and La Union (twice!). Yet I am still about ⅓ into the 491-page book.
If spared from the distractions of mindless scrolling and binge-watching, I could have finished this book in two days.
Last year (based on my Goodreads), I finished six books. Not even one book per month. On the downside, I made my Goodreads profile in June 2022, so anything before did not count.
I am working on reading more this year. I know you cannot be a better writer if you do not read. But even if reading is something I do every day with random posts on social media and emails for work, that has nothing to do with the joys of embarking on a new adventure from a good book.
In hind site, six is a good start since starting back into this little love of mine.
How did my love for reading start?
I started getting into reading in high school. I was about 14 and reading through the Chronicles of Narnia.
This was followed by a few classics—one of which I still cherish deeply, The Secret Garden. After that, I began reading Anne of Green Gables, and oh, my heart wished for the simpler times of the past.
I will also not deny that I became a Nancy Drew fan with books that were twice my age. Next, I found myself in the world of demigods with Percy Jackson and the Olympians, followed by young-adult dystopian novels that were to turn into movies(i.e. Hunger Games).
The doors to these latter worlds were held open by a classmate who had the means to invest in new books that my family could not seem to afford. You may never know, but I am grateful you lent me your books fresh out of the package. Sorry for mishandling some. I really did my best. Meticulously handling your books, I learned to care for mine too.
It is a tragedy to have lost the drive to read over the last ten years of my life. Work, school, and people have pulled me away from the joys of worlds beyond what you and I see.
My older brother knows my love for literature. I cherish each book he has gifted me in the past few years. Sadly, I am taking longer than a tortoise to read through them all.
Falling Back In Love
Now that I am in a better place, mentally and emotionally, I can finally settle down with a book in my hand, and another adventure on the horizon.
With opportunities, such as brownouts, trips by the beach, and chill weekends, reading and turning through pages of the books piled up on my nightstand have brought me a sense of calmness and peace the gadget world lacks.
BookTube has also inspired me to get back into the groove. Even if screens kind of killed the beauty of reading (as well as kill creativity—check out my post about this here), these creators are sparking my interest to read new books and discover new authors almost every day.
Although I do not have any book friends nearby who lend me books they recommend, these creators have helped open my mind to new adventures between book pages and reminded me of the feeling of finding and losing friends in between pages.
Why Should You Read?
Now, for those who are not avid readers and would want to begin reading this year, I found great inspiration in the story of this Tiktoker who rose to fame through his reading journey (literally).
The Benefits of Reading
If the story of that Tiktoker has not convinced you, here are also a few things reading does to your brain that could help you reach your goals (even your career goals):
- Reading is Part of the Routine of Those Who have Gained Success: Even Bill Gates and Steve Jobs Read.
Looking through the list of books of these big-tech founders (Check out Bill Gates’s Blog here and a reading list of Steve Jobs in this Inc. article here), they read beyond the conventions of tech, business management, and money.
These world-famous billionaires do not spend all their time tied to their enterprises. The world of fiction has made its way into their lives too. And—maybe—helped bring them where they are today.
Look at Jeff Bezos’s Lord of the Rings series on Prime Video.
I understand why this man decided to make the Kindle.
Books are the mind and the inner working of someone else, maybe even a commentary on the reality we face today. You can learn from reading no matter where you are in life and what field you are in, even if it is from the world of Middle-earth or greek mythology.
- Reading May Help with a Better Brain.
Aside from what we all know about reading—learning new perspectives, cultures, and history, growing your vocabulary, and the chances of being more creative—reading may even have benefits for brain function.
In this article from Healthline, researchers found that reading increases the connections in the brain. The same article even correlates the mental activity of reading against age-related cognitive decline.
You do owe it to your brain to use it and stimulate it. It’s the most you can do for the brain that keeps you alive and helps you perform your daily tasks (even if done on auto-pilot).
Thank you brain!
- Reading May Lessen Stress and May Improve Your Mental Health
Researchers in the mentioned Healthline article and even this post by WebMd talks about Bibliotherapy. Although merely a correlation, some physicians are recommending books to help with depression and anxiety.
This article from the Business News Daily explains how reading can help with stress. Reading serves as an escape from the stressors you face, which, in turn, may help in your career.
So why are we taking this free and fun hobby for granted?
It is never too late to fall in love with reading, and with all that books can offer. I am still open to finding book buddies. So I hope on finding a kindred spirit as this year goes by!
To all my kindred spirits of the past, I wish you all the best and hope you are okay.
Busyzi 