By reading less I have actually been reading more.

Something I learned about myself this year is that, while I love reading, I would speed through a book just to get it done. I was not allowing myself to enjoy the words on the page. I wasn’t immersing in the world. I wasn’t participating in the world building. I wasn’t learning the lessons the book was trying to teach me.

Now I am reading slowly. Literally reading every word, and often going back to re-read sections. It’s re-energized my love of reading. Feels good.

By reading slowly I am also teaching my brain to slow down. I think reading slowly is actually going to help me manage ADHD, and also help cure the brain rot that I have inflicted upon myself from severe internet addiction.

This year I have read less books than I usually do, but I can also tell you that I truly read those books.

📚

I quit smoking 12 years ago. When anyone asks how I did it, I usually respond that I used a cessation device, a shitty little cigarette sized vape, for like 3 months. But I forget to mention that I had a second cessation device - a huge bag of DumDum lollipops. Those were the real MVP in my opinion.

Anyways I ordered another bag today because I am going to try the same techniques to stop looping on goddamn reddit, youtube, and other attention stealing soul sucking time sinks

time for ☕️ gonna brew up some monsoon medley and do some drawing

Took my time this morning on a walk with our little corgi Olive. I let her lead, basically that means I let her stop and smell every rock and bush and explore evey yard on our way. So i followed suit and explored the neighborhood as well