Oddly enough I can’t just sit in a library and read a book. I need to be in certain places and close my mind off to other things or I get really distracted. Sometimes I go the other way and get so relaxed I nearly fall asleep.
I remember when we were doing reading in class at school, when it was somebody else’s turn to read allowed, my head would start wobbling and the pages would blur before my eyes. Even if I’d had enough sleep the night before and I found the story interesting. I really dreaded going to English for a while if I knew we were going to be reading because honestly, I just couldn’t control it and I was constantly worried I’d fall asleep. So reading became very much a bedtime thing as I knew it would make me tired at the end of the day.
Skip a quick decade ahead and finally I was able to get into books properly. I could read them all day and night without getting tired, I’d actually stick to them and finish the whole thing. For once I couldn’t buy them fast enough whereas before I bought loads but never turned more than half the pages. I think this is because I took some down time in my life. In school I was always out with my friends, as soon as I turned 16 I got a job, as soon as I turned 17 I learned to drive. I started doing so many shifts at work while I was in sixth form that I just decided to drop out. I thought life’s too short, I don’t want to do anything that I need a degree for so what’s the point. I still have no regrets to that dec
ision. I’ve was living free as a bird life traveling and discovering my interests while some of my closest friends were and still are still struggling through university to get qualifications for jobs they are no longer sure they want to do.
Anyway, before I ramble on anymore let’s get to the point of this post. It took me a while to find the right environment to read in. I know a lot of you could probably read a book at midnight on new year’s eve in times square but I certainly could not. So here are 5 places I have found myself having the perfect reading session in.
1) In a hammock - I have this hammock chair that is the definition of comfort. I sit there swaying, reading my book under the sun. Easy access to dangle one hand between the cords and stroke my dog. In the summer I do not move from this place, I love it.
2) In bed - An obvious one since it’s where we grew up seeing adults on the soaps reading their books at night. I do like to get all cosy in bed with a book but the problem is you can’t lay on your side for too long unless you want a numb arm.
3) Trains & Planes - I have to level with you here, I loved flying as a kid but one day the idea of getting on a plane started to give me huge waves of anxiety. I pushed myself to still fly anyway but I needed distractions. If I watched a film I’d think that every sound effect was real and that something was wrong with the plane. I like listening to music but it can be the same problem with the base again and my eyes aren’t busy.
Reading a book while on the plane or train now really is one of the most soothing feelings ever. It’s like I can feel the worry inside of me but it’s suppressed and nothing will happen to me because I’m currently in another world. Train rides I do enjoy anyway but on a long journey a book can help the time go faster.
4) Bars & restaurants - There is nothing wrong with taking some ‘me time’ and heading to a bar or restaurant you love, the best part is you don’t have to share your food! I find that quiet period after lunch but before dinner service very calming. Maybe that’s because I have worked in restaurants in the past and spent a lot of time hanging out at bars, who knows.
5) In the heat - In summer, the perfect place to read is obviously lounging around a pool or on the beach. There’s nothing like getting a tan without having to work for it. In winter I opt for a comfy chair by the fire or I sit with my back to a heater. It must be that sleepy feeling the heat gives you that puts you in that calm frame of mind for reading.
I hope you try out these places but I’d love to heard where you go to concentrate your mind too, drop me a line and let me know.
Kommentare