How I Fell Back in Love With Reading!

Here’s the thing about my reading journey…

As a kid, I LOVED to read. I loved how words could transport me to different places and times. I was enthralled by how the act of storytelling could have such an adverse effect on me. In some cases, I end up not reading the words but visualizing a whole scene in my head like I’m watching a movie. I think that everyone who has read a really good book knows exactly what I’m talking about.

When I got older and went to university, I decided that I was going to major in English. So essentially, my job for four years was to read—a lot. However, reading quickly became just that, a job! I lost my passion for it and felt like I would rather be watching a good trash TV show than picking up a good book, and I’ve continued to do that… until this year. Like many other people, I decided to make a New Year's resolution. The only thing is I hate the gym, so I wasn’t going to be getting a membership anytime soon. I decided that I would start to read again.

I am a naturally very indecisive person, and so what better way to decide what book to read than to consult my social media?! I quickly found the ‘Bookstagram’ community. A community of avid readers who post on their Instagram accounts recommending books, giving book reviews, and just generally are there to romanticize the act of reading. Wrap myself in a fuzzy blanket? Done. Sip on a delicious iced coffee that I didn’t pay someone else to make? Done. Not looking at my phone to pass the time? DONE. It is one of the rare social media communities that I have found to be almost one hundred percent positive. No hate, no shade, just books.

I began to read around the beginning of February and since then have read over 17 books this year. In many ways, I believe that my choice to begin reading became less of a resolution and more of an act of self-care. We all undeniably live very busy and, at times, demanding lives. Our jobs, extracurriculars, even getting out of bed some days feel like they drain our proverbial bucket. As someone who, at times, does not recognize when to slow down or take an hour to myself, when I sit down and read a book, I feel like I am reclaiming some time out of my day to just be with myself and relax.

So while I got back into reading because I didn’t want to go to the gym, I have found it has become such a healthy and important part of my life.