I love reading. It’s my most favorite thing in the whole world. I’m at 85 books for the year and I was hoping to read 100.
My older sister passed away in August and I haven’t been able to read since. I can’t explain it, it’s like the desire to read is still present, but the will to read has vanished. I’ve tried. I’ve started a few books and nothing is holding my focus. Most the time I just stare at my Kindle and wish I was reading.
I’m obviously still grieving and I know it’s a process, but darn it. I just want to escape into a good book. I feel so frustrated and lost.
Have you ever experienced something like this? I’d love to know if anyone has gone through something similar… Also, any advice to get back into reading?
by Wild_Persephone
5 Comments
I am sorry for your loss! I lost my twin this year, I went through this exact thing. I would pick up books and get 20 pages in and then dump it. I couldn’t focus and nothing could keep my attention. What helped me was actually re reading all our old Harry Potter books because they were such big pieces of our childhood that it made me feel closer to her. That helped me break my funk and now I am able to read more regularly
Take your time to grieve, there’s no rules to follow. My mother passed earlier this year, took me a month or so to get back into my reading habit. She was a big reader and we would share books through phone calls or email.
Hi, first of all, I’m so sorry for the loss of your sister. I hope you’re taking care of yourself best you can right now.
I don’t have any advice for you, but wanted to say I’m experiencing a very similar thing. I lost my grandfather suddenly and unexpectedly late July. I haven’t been able to read since. I’ve taken out many books from the library and returned them several times unread. Even books I’ve got a keen interest in, nothing works.
I felt similarly at one point and I ultimately determined that I was feeling guilty for escaping into a fantasy world. That I was running away from my grief and from reality.
Reflecting on that and giving myself “permission” helped. I acknowledge this only applies if you discover you’re feeling similarly.
After I lost my husband I could not read for quite some time. I couldn’t even concentrate long enough to watch a half hour tv show. It took over a year for me, I started with light, easy romance books and I threw in a lot of audiobooks. Give yourself grace, you are going through something horrible.