Books vs. Brain Rot: Why I Find It So Hard to Read Lately
I used to think reading was second nature to me.
I grew up loving books. But now, once I open a book, I find myself rereading the same paragraph five times.
And then I pick up my phone, and suddenly, two hours are gone, spent scrolling through whatever the algorithm decided I needed to see.
Turns out, there’s a word for this: brain rot.
Brain Rot Is Real and I’ve Felt It
What is brain rot? Brain rot is that fuzzy, empty-headed feeling you get after scrolling through hours of mindless content.
It’s the intellectual decay caused by a diet of low-quality media, like clickbait headlines, shallow takes, and algorithm-driven chaos.
And I’ve definitely been there.
It’s not that I don’t want to read. But sitting down with a book now feels like fighting against everything my brain has gotten used to.
Why It’s So Hard for Me to Read Now
I’ve spent some time reflecting on this and trying to understand what exactly is getting in my way.
Here’s what I’ve noticed about myself:
1. The Text Feels Too Dense Sometimes
There are moments when I start a book, hit a few unfamiliar words or complex ideas, and I’m instantly tired.
It’s as if my brain switches into “study mode,” and suddenly reading feels like work. I miss the flow I used to have.
2. I Lose Interest Too Fast
If a book doesn’t hook me quickly or feel relevant to my life, I drift.
But I can’t even blame the book.
I’ve just gotten used to content that’s designed to grab attention immediately.
Books don’t scream at you the way videos or tweets do. They whisper. And I’m still learning how to listen again.
3. My Vocabulary’s Rustier Than I Thought
I used to take pride in knowing words. But now, when I hit something I don’t recognize, I skip it, and lose a little bit of the meaning in the process. It’s humbling to realize I’ve gotten out of practice.
4. I Struggle to Stay Mentally Present
Even when I’m reading, my mind wanders. I have trouble connecting the dots between sentences, following arguments, or visualizing what’s going on.
5. I Don’t Visualize Like I Used To
One of the most magical things about reading used to be how vivid it felt as if I were there.
Now, I often just see black-and-white words on the page. The mental images are blurry, like a dream I can’t fully access.
So What Am I Doing About It?
I haven’t given up on reading. But I’ve started to be more honest with myself, and gentler, too.
I now try to read in quiet places, away from distractions.
I’ve started reading shorter pieces, or even book summaries, to build momentum again.
Sometimes, I revisit books I’ve already read and loved. Other times, I try audiobooks when reading feels too hard.
I’ve also been watching animated book summaries created by LeadLearnLeap recently.
Here’s one of their videos, just in case you need a little brain detox or a quick dose of wisdom without committing to a whole book:
Books Still Matter (Even When They’re Hard)
Maybe reading is actually about slowing down. Maybe it’s about reconnecting with thoughts that don’t fit in a caption or a 60-second reel.
And I still believe books are the antidote to all the noise we’re drowning in.
Even if I can’t read the way I used to, I still want books in my life, because they remind me of who I was before my brain became addicted to speed, novelty, and endless scrolling.
And maybe, little by little, I’ll find my way back to that reader again.
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