Thursday Thoughts || Reading Slumps

Thursday Thoughts is here again! This is an interactive, original, weekly feature here on my blog. Everyone who has an opinion is invited to make their own post, link up and join the conversation! I'm really excited for this week's topic because it's definitely something I have first hand knowledge about. The topic is Reading Slumps! I know I can't be the only one who's experienced a reading slump, so I can't wait to read all of your posts this week and also to learn some of your tips and tricks to get out of slumpy times. So, let's jump right into things!

So, like I said, I have first hand knowledge when it comes to reading slumps. Quite recently, I've been going through a horrible, horrible reading slump. I probably would consider this the first reading slump I've ever experienced which I'll explain more later on in this post. For roughly the last 2 weeks, I've read.. nothing. I'm in the middle of a book currently, but I really had no interest in reading. That's not to say I don't enjoy reading all of a sudden; obviously, I still consider reading one of my biggest hobbies. Right now is just a low point in the reading journey. Also, I want to point out that my slump has absolutely nothing to do with the book I'm currently reading. Yes, the slump started after I began reading it, but I'm honestly very interesting in finishing my current read. (Which is Nil by Lynne Matson) So, please don't think that it was caused by this book, because that's not the case whatsoever.

To me, a reading slump is if I go.. maybe a week or more without reading? I almost don't want to put a time stamp on it. I feel as though a reading slump is actually just any period of time where you don't feel like reading. Now, like I mentioned, this is probably what I would consider my first ever reading slump. The reason for that, is that in the past when I have gone through times like this, I didn't think "Oh, no. I'm going through a reading slump!" I just thought "Okay, I don't feel like reading right now." I've addressed many times before that I used to go through phases in my life. For a month or so, I might really want to read a lot. The next few weeks might be overrun by video games. Maybe, for a while after that I just feel like watching YouTube videos constantly. It's not uncommon or out of character for me to go through these changes often. And, I think that's what's happening now. Because, after a slump of about two weeks I'm feeling like I can finally jump back into and be excited about reading. And, blogging too! I was in a blogging slump for part of this time as well.

One of the questions I asked on the prompt for this week was "What types of things trigger a reading slump for you?" Looking back, I can see why I asked this. I was under the impression that slumps could only be caused by maybe reading a book that you really didn't like or a book you liked so much that you don't want to read anything else for a while. I also thought reading slumps could be caused by too much structure in your reading habits. For example, I'm a bit of a mood reader, but I know of people who plan out their entire TBR for a month and stick to just that. All of those things can totally cause reading slumps. Definitely. But, for me.. it was a bit different. I think it's natural for the type of person I am that I just go through reading slumps every few months. I don't doubt that in a month or two I'll be experiencing this once again. The most important thing for me to do is just accept that.

I think what really pulls me out and got me through this whole reading slump was just letting myself take a break. Back off the reading and blogging for a while. Relax and play some Minecraft. Doing these things allowed me to have some breathing room and to realize that I read because I love it, not because I have to. The same goes for blogging. If it's something I love to do, I'm never going to stop doing it all together. Sometimes I just get over-stressed, burnt out or simply don't feel like it. And, that is 500% okay.

I know this Thursday Thoughts was a bit shorter than my usual posts, but I feel like I got everything out that I wanted to say. I'm so happy and excited that I can see the light at the end of this reading slump now. I predict that in the next week I'll be returning to normal when it comes to reading, blogging and tweeting. Also, if you noticed at all that I've been kind of stuck, thank you so much for sticking with me. I really appreciate it. I'll see you back here, this same time next week, for our next Thursday Thoughts where we'll be talking all about Series vs. Standalones! I can't wait to see what you all have to say. See you then!