I can’t remember where I read or even heard this somewhere, but it was something about adjusting your expectations when it comes to reading. Instead of being paralyzed or discouraged by your larger than life to-read list, consider adopting the idea that not everything on your to-read list needs to be read fully. For example, you can pick up a magazine in a doctor’s office and read an article and still have come away making a significant contribution toward the health and exercise of your mental faculties.

It’s kind of a pet peeve of mine lately to see people on social media talking about the book stacks. It’s really more of an outdated pet peeve as I cannot think of any specific examples at the moment but I remember feeling this way. Like there’s no way somebody is actually reading all those. And if they are then there’s no way they could be fully taking them in. Somewhere there’s probably somebody who actually is doing all that but I don’t think that’s the norm.

So this person was talking about getting used to having your book stacks, but not expecting to read every book from start to finish. So then you think, “Okay, but isn’t that just a sign of the way our brains and attention spans have been hijacked since the invention of the internet?” But so what if it is? I get so frustrated at times with not being able to finish books. I lose interest or the mood changes or I just don’t feel the desire to read. But even when all the right things are in place my brain just feels too tired to read.

I chalk it up to not having discipline but is discipline really the issue here? It’s all about those seasons again. Whatever season this is, it’s not a reading deeply season. Just the thought makes exhausted. But can I, like whoever this person is was saying, read parts of the magazine or parts of the book? Absolutely I can. And when I look at my bookshelves and see most of these books, I could get discouraged thinking there’s no way I’ll ever be able to read all of these.

But perhaps the greater truth is that I have already read parts of pretty much all of them (speaking of the books that I haven’t read fully). What is so wrong with that? Why is that to me a failure? To me, as I am thinking of it now, reading part of a book is still better than reading nothing at all. Your brain is still getting nutrients and your mind getting exercise. So I guess my overall point in all this is that there’s something to be said about adjusting your expectations so you’re not as often so frustrated with yourself.

(I’m not completely convinced, but I’ll let it try to sink in.)