
I’ve always been a reader. It’s been part of who I am for as long as I can remember. Whether I was reading novels for fun or analyzing articles for class, books have always been my escape. But lately, I’ve found myself in a reading slump—something I never expected would happen for longer than a month or two.
As a journalism major, reading is a constant part of my academic and professional life. Between reading textbooks, writing news reports, reading peers’ work, making interview questions, writing assignments, internship work, an editor-in-chief position and editorial club responsibilities, I’m always reading or writing.
So, when I finally find myself with a bit of free time, I’m often too exhausted to pick up a book for pleasure. The idea of reading, which was once a joyful pastime, now feels like just another task on my never-ending to-do list.
What exactly is a reading slump?
A reading slump, as I’ve come to experience, is that frustrating period when no book seems to capture your attention. You start novels, you try to read articles, but nothing sticks. The excitement that once came from getting lost in a story is completely gone.It’s almost like staring at a page, but nothing is registering. Or, doom scrolling or procrastinating with anything, so you don’t have to pick up that book sitting a few feet away from you.
For me, the most frustrating part is being someone who’s always loved reading–whether for school or fun. So, when the urge to read just disappears, it feels like a part of me is missing. The longer the slump lasts, the more disconnected I feel from something that’s been such a big part of my life.
Why does this happen?
As a journalism major, I’m always reading. When it’s all academic or professional, there’s little space left for reading for pure enjoyment. Sometimes, the pressure of constantly analyzing and critiquing information makes it hard to relax and just read..
Then, there’s the mental and physical exhaustion. Between my classes, work and extracurriculars, I’m often on the go from early morning to late at night. By the time I find a moment of downtime, I’m exhausted and just want to relax and have fun.
I really related to this article from The Michigan Daily which said, “As someone who is a self-proclaimed ‘reader,’ I get it. Whether you’re a student or a parent, whether you have too little free time or more than you know what to do with, finding time to read and get into a book can be difficult. After a long day of doing classwork, the last thing I want to do is break open a new book and start a whole new storyline. It’s work.”
The idea of sitting down with a book, even one I’m excited about, feels like too much. I’m just too tired to engage, and it’s discouraging. After all, reading has always been a way to escape, not an obligation.
The pressure to read
There’s a subtle pressure to keep up with reading trends, especially with platforms like Goodreads and BookTok that emphasize how many books people are reading or which titles are trending.
As someone who loves books, I often felt compelled to read the latest releases or meet a specific reading goal each month. But as new books seemed to flood the market faster than I could keep up, the guilt of not reading “enough” only deepened, fueling my reading slump.
This pressure within the book community became even clearer once I found myself in a slump. It’s easy to get caught up in how many books others are reading or which titles are hot right now, and there’s this unspoken expectation that you should always have a book in hand—preferably the “right” one. That constant sense of competition, even internally, can make you feel like you’re failing if you’re not reading fast enough or staying on top of the trends. It creates a strange sense of guilt when you can’t read or simply lack the mental energy to dive into a book.
How I’m trying to overcome it
I knew I had to break out of the slump, but it wasn’t going to be as simple as just picking up a book and forcing myself to read. So, I started with being kind to myself. First and foremost, I allowed myself to rest.
I had been pushing myself so hard in every other area of my life, and reading for fun just felt like one more thing I had to check off. Rest is important, and sometimes taking a break is all you need to recharge your reading batteries.
Next, I tried to read lighter, shorter books. I didn’t dive into anything too heavy or complex. I picked up a few short stories for the Halloween season and some cheesy rom-coms that didn’t require much mental energy, but still gave me the pleasure of reading. It’s funny how something as small as a short story can make you feel accomplished and help you rediscover your love for books.
I also stopped worrying about what I “should” be reading and focused on what I wanted to read. I realized that the pressure to read the latest releases or hit a certain goal wasn’t helping me at all. Instead, I started reading books that had been on my shelf for a while, or genres I hadn’t explored in ages. The freedom to choose without any pressure lifted the weight off my shoulders.
Lastly, I let go of the guilt. I reminded myself it’s okay to not always be reading, especially when life is busy. I stopped comparing my reading habits to others and accepted that I’m in a season where reading for fun just doesn’t come as naturally as it used to. And that’s okay. There’s no deadline for when I need to “get back” into it. It’s my journey, and I’ll return to it when I’m ready.
Embracing the slump
Looking back, I realize that reading slumps aren’t the end of the world. They’re just a natural part of being a reader. Sometimes, life gets in the way, or we just need a break, but it doesn’t mean that our love for books is gone forever. It’s just a pause. By taking the pressure off myself, permitting myself to rest and focusing on what I truly enjoy, I’m finding my way back to reading more.
The key is not to fight it. Embrace the slump, let go of the guilt and trust that when the time is right, your love for reading will come back. Until then, it’s okay to take it slow.
The books will be there, waiting like old friends, patient and eager for your return. They’re not going anywhere, and when you’re ready to dive back in, they’ll greet you with open pages, as if they have been waiting just for you.
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Hi! I’m Kayla Friedman, A Magazine’s editor-in-chief. My staff and I are committed to bringing you the most important and entertaining news from the realms of fashion, beauty and culture. We are full-time students and hard-working journalists. While we get support from the student media fee and earned revenue such as advertising, both of those continue to decline. Your generous gift of any amount will help enhance our student experience as we grow into working professionals. Please go here to donate to A Magazine.