Rekindling My Reading Habit: Stepping Away from Screens and Back into Books
I recently realised that my bedside table has become less of a reading stack and more of a guilt tower. Over the last couple of years, book after book has been added to the pile, as if stacking them high enough will somehow transfer their knowledge to me via WiFi. Unfortunately, books don’t seem to auto-update like apps, and I can’t swipe to the next chapter with my thumb—so it’s time to actually read them.
It's easy to see that somewhere along the way, my reading habit shifted. Audiobooks were a gateway to this change, as an easy way to absorb stories while commuting or doing chores. Then came podcasts, which scratched that same intellectual itch but in bite-sized episodes. Before I knew it, my actual reading had dwindled. Now, a stack of half-finished books looms on my bedside table, as a silent reminder of the stories I once devoured without distraction.
The Need to Disconnect
Lately, I’ve been thinking about how difficult it has become to truly focus. Our attention is constantly pulled in different directions—notifications, emails, the endless stream of updates demanding our time. Even when I set aside time to read, I often find myself distracted, picking up a book only to put it down again, moving on before I've fully engaged. The act of reading, once second nature, now requires a conscious effort.
In a world of constant notifications and endless scrolling, reading a physical book feels almost rebellious. We spend so much time consuming digital content—news articles, social media updates, and quick-hit videos—that deep focus has become rare. There’s a mental exhaustion that comes with being perpetually plugged in, and I’ve felt it creeping in.
Books offer a different kind of engagement. There’s no algorithm trying to hook you, no ads breaking your concentration. Just you and the words on the page. Reading forces us to slow down, to sit with our thoughts rather than jumping from one dopamine hit to the next. And in a time when mental health struggles are increasingly linked to overstimulation, that kind of immersion feels more necessary than ever.
Beyond that, reading allows us to experience different perspectives in a way that digital content often fails to replicate. A book demands patience, the willingness to sit with an idea rather than skim past it. It encourages reflection and deeper understanding, fostering a kind of quiet that is hard to find elsewhere. In a time when information is delivered in bite-sized, easily digestible pieces, there’s something profoundly valuable about committing to a longer narrative, allowing it to unfold at its own pace.
I’ve come to see reading not just as a pastime but as an antidote to the noise. It’s a way to reclaim my own attention, to resist the pressure of constant engagement, and to remind myself what it feels like to be fully present with a story. And that, I think, is worth holding on to.
The Positives of Books, Stories, and Information
Beyond the mental break from screens, books offer something uniquely valuable—perspective. Stories build empathy, expanding our understanding of different lives and experiences. Non-fiction offers knowledge and insight, allowing us to engage with ideas in a more reflective way than a five-minute video ever could. There’s also something deeply satisfying about the tactile experience of holding a book, turning its pages, and marking your progress in a way that feels real.
Books also offer a sense of continuity and permanence in a world where digital content is fleeting. A well-loved book can be revisited over the years, with new meanings emerging at different stages of life. There’s comfort in returning to a favourite story, discovering details that were missed before or seeing familiar characters in a new light. Unlike the ephemeral nature of social media, where information is constantly refreshed and replaced, books remain steady, waiting to be explored again and again.
I miss that feeling. So, I’m making a conscious effort to get back into reading—not just picking up where I left off but also revisiting old favourites. I want to slow down, to savour stories instead of rushing through them, and to reconnect with the kind of deep engagement that only books can provide.
Building a Reading Resource
One of the reasons I want to be more intentional about reading is that clients often ask me for book recommendations or where I found a certain quote I’ve mentioned in a session. While I usually have an answer, I’ve realised how valuable it would be to have a dedicated resource—a place where I can compile books that have shaped my thinking, resonated with clients, or simply offered insight into mental health and human nature.
So, alongside my reading revival, I’m finally finishing the resource page on my website. It will be a growing list of books I revisit, with the long-term goal of linking each to reviews and summaries, or at least the key points that have stuck with me. If a book has influenced the way I work or helped me frame an idea, I want to share it. Hopefully, it becomes a useful reference not just for me but for anyone looking for thoughtful, engaging reads.