When did “reading for pleasure” start to feel like a mental workload?

From the late ’90s to the mid-2000s, I was the shyest, most introverted kid you could meet. I didn’t feel like I belonged anywhere, constantly lost in my head, wanting to escape wherever I happened to be. The only thing that got me through those moments of fear and loneliness was a good book.

You’d always find me with one—immersed in a world the author had built, a world that always seemed leagues better than my own. There were books I couldn’t put down, books that opened my eyes, books that bored me but I pushed through, and books that were definitely too mature for my age. I didn’t grow up with smartphones or internet woven into everyday life. If we wanted entertainment, we had sports and we had books. You can imagine which one I gravitated toward. Reading wasn’t just a hobby; it was a lifeline.

Authors like Roald Dahl, Eoin Colfer, René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo, Bill Watterson, and R.L. Stine shaped my imagination, my personality, and even my sense of purpose. Their words were a balm to my restless soul, their stories a refuge for my anxious mind.

Fast forward two decades, and now I sit on my couch, book in hand, facing unexpected resistance. I can barely get through a few pages before reaching for my phone, chasing that quick dopamine hit. It stunned me—I couldn’t even focus on a book for ten minutes without my mind wandering.

I realized, with a kind of sadness, that I wasn’t the same reader anymore. Or maybe I could no longer even call myself a “reader.” I had never considered that reading was a skill that could slip away. In a world dominated by streaming, video games, social media, and constant, easy distractions, reading was no longer an escape. It had become… a chore. And that breaks my heart.

This reality continues to surprise me in unexpected ways. When I was writing my first book, Mindset & Me, I found myself constantly second-guessing what felt appropriate to include. Since the book is an exploration of my psyche, I was cautious about writing anything that might get me “canceled.” I went through countless rounds of editing, working to ensure the book could be read with minimal offense. But once the book was published, I realized something surprising: almost no one was actually reading it. While I sold plenty of copies, feedback on the content itself was rare. People were happy to support my work by purchasing it, but when it came to actually reading, the response was often, “I haven’t read your book yet.” Many even told me they’d rather consume it as an audiobook.

Honestly, I don’t blame them—I understand. I’ve even started prefacing sales by saying I don’t expect anyone to read it. If I had to guess, I’d say fewer than five people have read my book cover to cover. I’ve realized that the odds of anyone reading it, even among regular readers, are slim.

As an author, this has actually been liberating. I’m no longer as stressed about what I put in my books. But as a reader, my heart breaks a little. The act of reading has become, for so many, almost obsolete. So why is it so hard to keep up this once-beloved hobby? Why is it so difficult to just pick up a book and get back into the rhythm of reading? The reasons are obvious, and I don’t need to go into them. Instead, I’ve chosen to focus on rediscovering reading myself. I started tracking what was working and what wasn’t as I forced myself to rebuild the habit.

Now, I’m at a place where reading isn’t just something I can focus on, but something I actively choose to do when I’m bored. I read on the train, while I eat, and before bed. It took time, energy, and discipline, but thankfully, reading has come back into my life. And I hope it stays.

If you’re in the same boat—if reading used to be something you loved but now feels elusive—here are a few tips to help you ease back into it:
1. __Go Back to Basics__ : One of the easiest ways to get back into reading is to revisit books you’re familiar with. There’s a reason people often suggest re-reading Harry Potter. If there was a series you loved as a kid (like Hardy Boys, Tintin, Goosebumps, or The Babysitters Club), start there. Reading from a place of familiarity makes it easier to re-engage, and you might even find new perspectives as you revisit these old favorites. 2. __Avoid the Big, Heavy Stuff__ : You can’t go from barely reading to tackling a George R.R. Martin novel. It’s just not realistic. Reading requires time, focus, and discipline, and jumping straight into a massive book can make it feel overwhelming. Instead, start small. Choose books under 200 pages with lighter themes. Right now, you need those quick wins—books you can finish easily that remind you of the joy of reading. There’s nothing worse than getting stuck in a book that feels endless, especially when you’re trying to rekindle the habit. 3. __Be Picky__ : I used to be a completionist, feeling that once I started a book, I had to finish it out of respect for the author. Not anymore. If the book isn’t pulling me in, I’m fine with putting it down. It’s not always the author’s fault; sometimes the genre or style just isn’t the right fit at the moment. Give each book 3-5 chapters. If you don’t find yourself wanting to keep reading, let it go and find something else. 4. __Find Your Own Niche__ : As you start reading again, you might be tempted to ask friends for suggestions or browse Goodreads for ideas. However, this can often lead to disappointment. It's unreasonable to expect anyone else to know exactly what you'll enjoy. For example, I love a specific sub-genre of sci-fi, but no one I know reads it. Instead, I turned to ChatGPT for recommendations and was pleasantly surprised. I suggest taking a similar approach: ask AI for personalized suggestions. Here’s a prompt you can use: “I am looking to read a [insert genre] book, less than 200 pages, that focuses on [add elements you enjoy in a book—dialogue, love, fantasy].” 5. __Read More Fiction__ : I used to be all about self-help and non-fiction. Autobiographies, motivational books—those were my go-tos. But over time, they began to feel a bit too practical, too grounded. I found myself craving more imagination and escapism. When I switched to fiction, it was a game-changer. Getting lost in fictional worlds, experiencing characters’ journeys, and connecting with their struggles offered a kind of relief and inspiration that non-fiction couldn’t. Sometimes, a fictional character’s story can do more to heal and inspire than a self-help book. 6. __Get into a Series__ : While I haven’t personally done this yet, I’ve heard that diving into a book or fantasy series is an excellent way to solidify your reading habit. Discovering a character you enjoy and realizing they have multiple books written about them can be a joy like no other. 7. __Go for the Real Deal__ : I used to insist on reading only physical books until I realized how expensive they are and how much space they take up. I switched to a Kindle and embraced e-books. However, when I started losing my reading habit, I found that picking up physical books helped reignite my passion. There’s something special about feeling the pages turn, marking your progress, and bookmarking your place (without dog-earing!). While a Kindle has its advantages—like portability and the ability to read at night—if you’re just getting back into reading, I recommend starting with physical books. They can make a significant difference. 8. __Structure Your Books According to Mood and Energy Levels__ : I’ve never read exclusively one book at a time; I usually juggle about three. Given our scattered attention spans, it makes sense to tailor our reading choices to our current mood and energy levels.
On a typical day, I read three times:

Once in the morning with breakfast, once during my commute, and once before bed. Each book caters to my mood and the energy I want to engage with. In the morning, I lean toward philosophy or thought-provoking texts to kick-start my brain.

During the day, I read non-fiction—right now, I’m diving into Rich Dad Poor Dad and You Are Awesome, which inspire action and encourage me to try new things.

At night, I switch to fiction, choosing stories that are easy to pause and don’t strain my brain too much.

By structuring my reading choices based on the mental state I want to achieve, I improve my chances of finishing books while maintaining a consistent reading habit, even if it’s just a little at a time.

Rediscovering the joy of reading isn’t always easy, especially in a world full of endless digital distractions. But if you can find your way back to it, reading becomes a gift that offers more than just stories—it grants you a quiet space to think, reflect, and escape. By starting small, being selective, and tailoring your reading to your mood and energy, you’re setting yourself up to reclaim this fulfilling habit.

It may take time to get back into the flow, but with each page, you’re reconnecting with a world that doesn’t ask for likes, comments, or shares. Instead, it simply invites you in and lets you stay for as long as you’d like. So pick up a book, let yourself get lost in its pages, and remember what it feels like to read purely for pleasure.

Because, in the end, there’s nothing quite like a good book.