Learning to Read

Some of my fondest childhood memories occurred during the summer. I would spend entire days and late nights devouring a novel before moving on to the next one. I couldn’t get enough. Then, at some point during the tech boom, I lost that ability to read.

I wasn’t diagnosed with ADHD until well into my adulthood, so I didn’t know what was wrong. I was never hyper, per se, but I just couldn’t seem to get my brain to focus on the words on the page anymore. It caused a lot of distress, especially when a friend would recommend a good book. I tried audiobooks and podcasts for awhile, though I found myself missing entire chunks of story when something said led me off on a mental diversion.

This summer, I’m proud to say, I’ve learned to read. And it had everything to do with finding mindfulness. In June alone, I read The Drama Teacher’s Survival Guide, Dirt Rich, On Juneteenth and Mindset. I also finished Tim Ferriss’ Tools of Titans, which I had been listening to on audiobook every time I washed the dishes. I’m now reading How to Win Friends & Influence People, Your Brain Is Playing Tricks On You and Teaching Social Skills Through Sketch Comedy and Improv Games.

This week, I plan on cracking the spine on the three-inch-thick comic-book behemoth, Adam Warlock Omnibus. (Though I can be notoriously thrifty when it comes to my purchases, this book collects two of my favorite comic-book storylines of all time, one of which heavily inspires the movie Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.)

Though this is certainly no reading world record, it’s a huge advancement for me–a guy who had resigned to consuming online article headlines and 5-minute YouTube clips. So how did I relearn how to read?

Online Education

In my last blog post, I mentioned just how much Dr. Laurie Santos’ The Science of Well-Being online Yale course had revolutionized my daily routine and mindset. This was the seed planted, I think, that allowed me to rediscover my focus, among other amazing benefits. Seriously, check out this free course and see how much it can transform you. I don’t get any money for saying that. I just believe in the course that much.

Limiting Online Consumption

Santos frequently cites research into the harmful effects of social media as they pertain to the consumer’s well-being, so I’ve been working hard to cut back my social-media consumption. Yes, doing so keeps me from feeling bummed that I’m not living up to a few hundred acquaintances’ highlights reels. But it also reprograms my brain from constantly consuming an endless succession of brief snippets of information.

Additionally, I’ve been avoiding online news, which tends to feed my anxieties and hijack my thought patterns toward things I can’t directly control. Though it’s important to be informed, I recommend finding a single, objective news source to keep you posted on major news events. Even better, giving yourself a specific time and place to consume that news will allow you to better compartmentalize that content without spending hours stewing about all the world’s problems. I often find myself consulting the AllSides Media Bias Chart when wondering whether a news source is trustworthy. I recommend that you do the same!

Being Present

While many of Santos’ research-informed recommendations directly affect a student’s happiness level, I found those challenges directly related to being present in the here and now to be most beneficial in rediscovering literacy.

Like many peak performers I’ve studied, Santos recommends meditation as a daily practice. I’ve always had difficulty keeping my mind from wandering, so I’ve been practicing a close cousin to traditional meditation and it seems to help. Instead of focusing inward and finding stillness in that space, I’ve been going out on the front porch and finding stillness in the midst of my surroundings.

So instead of tuning out my surroundings, I’m embracing them and finding peace in all the sensations that I experience during a ten-minute period. I’ve heard this exercise helps stave off impending panic attacks. Even though I’m not panicking at the onset of my period of observation, it puts me in a meditative enough state to feel more focused.

No, I’m not a doctor and if this practice makes your brain explode, you can’t blame me. Also, I live in the middle of nowhere. Hearing the soothing sounds of nature have been a key to finding peace, so your mileage may vary in an environment riddled with car horns and police sirens.

Of course, if your brain allows you to traditionally meditate for at least ten minutes per day, I’d recommend going that route. I’ve had some success with guided meditations versus sitting in silence and willing my brain to behave.

Practicing

As with any budding skill, the sheer act of practicing reading, regardless of how awkward it feels at first, is essential. If it’s not too hot outside, I usually put myself in the same outdoor space as my psuedo-meditation.

As you may need to do with your meditation, work up to your daily reading goal by sitting down and reading for as long as your brain can handle it. I’ve found it gets easier with time. If you’re like me, there will actually be a point where your brain suddenly craves reading like a weightlifter who’s trained her body to experience those daily endorphins. I kid you not. I now find myself blazing through my daily to-do list so I can get to more reading. Before, I’d move it further and further down the list until it’s bedtime and I can barely keep my eyes awake.

Learning to Read

If your reading mind ain’t what it used to be, try these three simple tasks. Enroll in The Science of Well-Being (No, I’m not in a cult.), limit your online consumption, practice mindful presence and practice reading more and more.

No, I didn’t cure ADHD. Those recommendations probably didn’t blow your mind. Nevertheless, I’ve found such an explosion of mental clarity that I just had to share what works for me. I hope you’ll find more attentiveness through this process. If so, share your experiences in the comments below!

(Note: This post includes affiliate links. This means that, for every purchase you make following some of my links, I get a cut from the product provider. This doesn’t cost you any extra money, but it certainly can help me pay the bills!)