I started listening to audiobooks more often this year, but I’m noticing my attention span and focus for reading physical or ebooks has gone way down as a result.
There are times I read half a page and then go online to see if there is an audiobook. While I’m reading I can’t stop thinking about listening to the audiobook instead.
It feels like I’m “offloading” my reading to someone else, so I won’t have to sustain any focus myself.
I have ADHD and I’ve been trying to train my tolerance and focus on reading for the last few years, and I feel like with audiobooks I have taken steps backwards. I’m reading more books now thanks to audiobooks, but my reading quality has gone down.
There is nothing wrong with audiobooks, but they aren’t as rewarding and my comprehension isn’t as high with them, and I visualize the story less so it’s not as immersive. There are some books I listened to that I wish I had read instead because mulling over the words/ideas more slowly in my head would have made a bigger impact on me.
Can anyone relate? if so what did you do? How did you build back your reading focus? Should I stop listening to audiobooks temporarily, or permanently?
by QueenMackeral