Why don’t I like reading?

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Reading is a habit that provides countless benefits. However, if you are one of those who do not enjoy this activity, you may have wondered why that is. Where do others find the pleasure that you do not feel in the exercise of reading?

Written and verified by the psychologist Elena Sanz.

It is undeniable that the habit of reading brings great benefits to those who practice it.. From childhood they try to instill in us a love of books both at home and at school. And, as adults, we hear the testimony of friends and acquaintances stating that reading is one of their greatest hobbies, something that they are passionate about. So, you may be wondering, why don’t I like to read?

It is very common for those who do not share this love of reading to tend to question what is wrong with them. What screw is loose inside that prevents them from enjoying such a recommended and, apparently, essential activity.

Well, surely, on more than one occasion, you have heard that people who do not read are not cultured or imaginative, that they do not have a large vocabulary and that they are lazy or simple. How can you not feel guilty or inadequate when faced with such statements? But actually, Have you ever questioned the reasons for your lack of interest in reading?

Why don’t I like reading?

An inadequate concept

Sometimes the way they try to inoculate us with a love of reading is inadequate. They present it to us as an imposition, but reading should be a pleasure, a space to let the imagination fly. From a young age we are forced to read, focusing on how many pages we devour per daymaking reading an exercise of limited freedom – when it is quite the opposite.

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It is not surprising that many people grow up hating this activity that for so many years was an ordeal, a reason for arguments and an external imposition.. Maybe we should start transmitting reading to the little ones as an alternative for leisure and enjoyment. Maybe we should try to make them like to read, and not just read. Perhaps this way, as adults, they could relate to the written word in a different way.

Wide variety of options

Another important aspect is that we are not always aware of the immensity of alternatives we have. Reading does not only involve great classic novels or fashionable works. It is not even an activity that is restricted to books.

We must keep in mind that each human being is a world. We each have our own particularities, tastes and preferences.. Maybe a large number of people love suspense stories, maybe everyone around you is talking about the latest science fiction novel. But you don’t have to limit yourself to other people’s tastes.

Think about what you like, what interests you? What makes you dream? Maybe romantic novels or biographies of famous people are much more appealing to you.

EITHER Maybe you prefer to read articles of interest about cooking, sports, personal development or physics. All this is also reading. All of this nourishes your mind as much as the best-selling book of the moment would. And, furthermore, it is in coherence with you.

When you get ready to read, choose something that truly fascinates you, that you are passionate about, that interests you.. Something you really want to discover more about. Forget other people’s opinions. Read for yourself, only for you.

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Representation systems

Not all of us have the same communication style. There are people who are more visual, others more auditory, others more kinesthetic. Some prefer to receive information visually, others choose to listen to it, and others choose to experiment with it directly. Therefore, it is not realistic to try to group us all into the same modality.

If you don’t like reading, maybe audiobooks are a good option for you. You may find it more pleasant to receive the message aurally, and today you can access numerous titles in this format. Or you may find writing more satisfying since you enjoy actively working rather than passively receiving.

I don’t like reading, and that’s okay.

In any case, and if after taking into account all the previous perspectives, you still don’t like reading, that’s okay. This does not mean that you are less intelligent, less cultured or interesting. Each person has their own personality traits and their own way of living.

Maybe you love playing sports, meditating, watching video lectures, painting with watercolors… Not everyone should like the same thing and that’s okay. We all have the right to choose how to achieve our own personal development.