Can't Focus? How to Read More (Again)

[@ChapterStackss]

Hope you all enjoy this one! Have you also been facing this challenge? If so, what helped? ❤️ Also, there are timestamps in the description box ⏰

[@FiveOhAnna]

The tips I’ve used to help me focus more with reading is: 1. Deleted TikTok- I would doom scroll for hours 2. Forest App- you set a timer for reading and if you exit the app the tree dies. I want the tree to live, so it encourages me to focus for that set amount of time! I usually set it for small increments of time, and will read more than the allotted time because I’m enjoying myself and become immersed in the story! 3. Make reading a fun, full experience- make a warm beverage, have a little snack, light a candle, find your favorite blanket/pillow, play some ambient music or scenic views! 4. Find a book or genre you love! I’ve learned it’s okay to DNF a book if I’m not enjoying it. Reading should be fun!💛

[@ChapterStackss]

I have never heard of the app but that sounds wonderful! Thank you

[@BrandNewDeath]

Thanks for taking the time to validate audiobooks! My grandfather has been progressively losing his sight, and he was an avid reader. Thanks to audiobooks he's still able to get the stories he wants.

[@ChapterStackss]

I’m sorry to hear he is going through that and absolutely! ❤ I can’t stand the discourse that audiobooks “don’t count.”

[@kaylaprice9076]

I love this video! All of these are great tips. I find that actually starting is the hard part for me. Once I get into it, it’s easier to focus. I did a challenge in January where I had to read at least 1 page every day. I had to at least start. I didn’t have to keep going after that if I didn’t want to. But most of the time I wanted to and ended up reading upwards of 100-200 pages. I read the entire Mistborn trilogy (each 600-800 pages) and 3 other books in that time. I’ve fallen off in February but this video encouraged me to get back on track! 🎉

[@SarahAsYouWish]

Honestly, you getting through two books in two weeks is amazing progress! Thanks for the tips.

[@ChapterStackss]

Thank so much Sarah!

[@rode8927]

Awesome video! I feel like a lot of us have been feeling this way lately. I deleted TikTok last week because it was really affecting my mental health. It's quite strange how addicted I was to it. So much so, it was starting to influence my mood and way of thinking, so I knew I had to stop. After deleting it, I've picked up reading again and my mind is a little bit clearer. Although, like you mentioned, I can't read as long as I used to. And I do miss it, but there's just too much adult responsibilities now. But taking the time to read little segments helps, as long as I'm not pressuring myself to do it. So I've been reading 15 minutes a day and that has been good enough for me!

[@ChapterStackss]

Thank you and glad that's having a positive impact for you too!

[@kimh1830]

I’m so glad you made this video! I’ve had an audible subscription for the past year which I love but it’s too easy to multitask and not give the book my full attention. I noticed I’m not really enjoying books like I used to. I decided to pause audible and get back to borrowing physical books from the library for a while.

[@ChapterStackss]

I'm glad this video might be helpful! I also recommend Libby since you have a library card :)

[@dana7340]

For me I like to try to tell myself that I’m just “too busy to read these days” but…..that hasn’t stopped me from wasting hours & hours on social media apps…..so I guess it’s not REALLY about the time, but more about what I choose to prioritize.

[@charliest.kardasism9134]

I can totally relate to struggling with both the attention span and the desire to read. It can be really hard to sit down and focus sometimes! But I’ve found that taking things little by little really makes a difference in the long run. Progress might feel slow, but it adds up over time!

[@Bookworm5589]

I used to be able to read on the way to work but now I work from home 90% of the time and I have a 4 year old who loves books but has a short attention span so I try to read 1 chapter a day and i found that helps a lot.

[@ChapterStackss]

Love that your kid loves books! That's a great goal

[@danat3961]

Hi Katie! I have also had lots of trouble focusing on books.. I was never a voracious reader but I would read a book every 2 weeks and within the last few years I may have read 10 altogether. I also miss reading and getting lost in a book so I’ve been trying to change that. When summer started I went through my unread books and pulled out all the summery ones and bought a few also… I had a stack of 8 but only read pineapple street, bad summer people (so fun!) and DNFd my third. I am now reading house of glass 😕 I also got my graphic novels together (fallish and witchy ones) and I started back on my little schedule I used to have… I read my physical book once in bed and then at 10pm I switch to a graphic novel and read 30 minutes of that. I love it and look forward to my reading time again! Now if only I can find a really good book 😅

[@AshleyRae8708]

Thank you so much for this. This was so relatable for me. I'm just getting back into reading again over the past 3 months and I have a habit of making it a chore. And also beating myself up. Because people will read 40 books a month and I read one, maybe 2 and at the end of the day. It's not a competition and I need to remind myself of that. I also get distracted horribly easy. And it's my phone exactly like you said. So thank you so very much for being honest and relateable.❤

[@mariadamore1963]

I love solo book reviews!

[@ChapterStackss]

I'll have one going up this week!

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Yeah I did years of fertility appts sitting in Dr offices for 30-60 minutes waiting multiple times of month. I'm jealous of your Dr wait times. This was a really interesting video

[@qmargot1971]

Thank you so much for this video. I’ve been struggling to finish a physical book and thought it was because of menopause but now I think it’s the attention span issue. This was great information and gives me hope! Thank you!

[@ChapterStackss]

You're welcome and aI hope this helps!

[@jenniferawiah3664]

Thanks for providing such great advice/tips. I've also been struggling with this same issue.

[@ChapterStackss]

Sorry you've been having the same issue and hope this helps!

[@shaunam.29]

I use an app called Forest to limit screen time. The app is the same as a phone block BUT if you stop the timer early it kills your tree.

[@FiveOhAnna]

I was going to recommend this too! It really helps me stay focused and if I want to read longer I can always add more time too. Also, I don’t want to kill the tree!🌳

[@ChapterStackss]

Someone else just said the same! I’ll have to check it out ❤

[@getbookish]

I definitely struggle with not picking up my phone when reading, especially if I've come to the end of a chapter. Gotta work on that.🙃 Your recommendation for the ASMR channel is great as I've also been annoyed by the fake ones before. I'll often listen to instrumental music when reading and I try to theme it to the book and that can be really helpful (and fun) sometimes! -Becks

[@ChapterStackss]

I hope you like his channel and hope you're doing well! :D

[@joeyq9953]

I love your vulnerability.

[@JayGTheAwkwardBookworm]

Audiobooks are my go to for everything!!

[@ChapterStackss]

YESSS

[@Twinsharmony]

Im not a huge phone user.. ( I'm old lol ) but I find a timer , of 20 mins a book, I have multiple physical books going at the same time. Along with the Audio for work travel and kindle for before bed.. Don't get me wrong , I struggle to put down the crochet and stop watching shows/movies ( instead of tiktok n reels ).. :)

[@ChapterStackss]

Love the idea of a timer!

[@DerrickMayFan]

Tktk/reels destroyed my attention span. I used to read a book a week, haven't touched a book in months

[@ChapterStackss]

I was that way too, so I hope this video helps! 🤞

[@annan.3283]

Can you give tips on concentrating on an audiobook? I find I start daydreaming and miss a lot. Do you sit and the couch still and listen or do you listen while walking outside? I feel it must be hard to get into a new book via audiobook not knowing the characters.

[@AshleyRae8708]

Also, are you gonna review nestling? Because I was really thinking about buying it.

[@lolabecool7923]

I’m reading Mary right now

[@ChapterStackss]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@SuperStrangSshadow]

I wish I had a busy life. Due to health issues I can't have a job and it is kind of monotone ro read all day. Trying to have other hobbies with the reading.

[@ChapterStackss]

I’m so sorry to hear about your health issues! Not sure if this is helpful but you could grab a used PS4 and play some fun story based games like Life is Strange

[@SuperStrangSshadow]

@@ChapterStackss thank yo I think they have it for Nintendo Switch. I'll check it out since I'm an avid gamer.

[@michella1100]

Are kids screaming in the living room included in the background or not? Because being and reading are not compatible

[@zubaerchaudhari8267]

Hi there Hi there 😊😊

[@devonmunn5728]

Speaking of TikTok I'm probably among the vast minority of Gen Z who is not on TikTok. I don't hold any I'll will towards folks who do or the app itself I just don't feel compelled to get a profile on there

[@ChapterStackss]

I wouldn’t - it’s created to be so addictive 😫

[@golummcsmeagolhomie2396]

It’s also a Chinese spyware app 😃

[@pollyjeanz]

💗💗💖💖💖💖💗💗💗💗

[@JJ-rx8ym]

I use RailCowgirl’s livestream for background or chill screen time for my kid. She’s a train conductor in Norway and has a live of highlights of her job.

[@ChapterStackss]

Oh that's a great idea - thank you!! I'll have to check it out.

[@anne-marie339]

The attention span issue is so real for me! While my lifestyle still allows me to read a lot each day, I find it takes much longer to get through the same number of pages (say 2-3 hours for 50 pages instead of ~1 hour) - in large part because I get distracted by my phone (mostly) or the tv (occasionally) or my cat. I should really start leaving my phone in another room when I read... it's just so hard 🤣🙃🥲

[@ChapterStackss]

Haha well I hope those tips help!