Bethany Brown
If you’re anything like me, the beginning of a new year signals a chance to completely reinvent yourself. Every December 31st, my head is filled with fantasies of the ‘new me’. Maybe I’ll go to the gym five times a week. Or finally download Duolingo to brush up on my español. Does it ever happen? Of course not. But a girl can dream.
Another consistent step in my Inventing Beth 2.0 manual is simple: read more. Unlike my other ridiculous resolutions — who even has time to get 10,000 steps in BEFORE work?! — this one should realistically be achievable. As an English Literature graduate, a bookworm in childhood, and someone who generally loves to read, picking up a book should be second nature. But it isn’t.
This leaves me wondering. Why?
Reading Rates Are On The Decline
A 2024 summer report reveals some frankly worrying statistics: only half of UK adults read regularly. A staggering one in six find it difficult to read at all. It is also important to note that ‘reading’ includes books, magazines, comics, audiobooks, and other forms of content. This inclusion makes these findings all the more concerning.
The report highlighted some interesting reasons for the UK public: 30 per cent of people struggle to finish what they read, 28 per cent struggle to focus on it for more than a few minutes, and 22 per cent of young adults “usually” or “always” find reading difficult.
Today, 35 per cent of UK adults (myself included) are “lapsed” readers. These are people who used to read consistently and now don’t. This suggests there’s a common thread to our struggling attention spans. Without sounding too similar to every parent, I do have a working theory. It’s because we’re always on those damn phones.
The Danger Of Dopamine Hits
As of March 2024, 76 per cent of UK online users, aged between 15 and 24 years old, engage with TikTok. We live in a digital age, so it’s unsurprising that social media is a defining element of young people’s lives. But being aware of the dangers of digital dependency is all the more crucial.
In 2021, Dr Anna Lembke warned us about the addictive nature of social media. Dr Lembke says we have all become vulnerable to addiction in the new millennium and compares smartphones to a hypodermic needle. Scrolling social media, watching porn, and gambling online provide constant dopamine hits, similar to any drug. We can’t spend time alone without seeking stimulation from our phones.
“The role of reading has massively evolved”
Now, I love social media apps, and I’m not saying we need to boycott them. Having an endless stream of information at our fingertips is an incredibly powerful thing, and the important connections social media cultivates cannot be ignored. The internet has made us more creative, open-minded, and knowledgeable about the rest of the world, which is certainly positive.
But how often have you found yourself mindlessly scrolling? Or closing an app, just to immediately reopen it? Have you tried to “take a break” from social media that ultimately only lasted 4 hours? It’s clear to me the pendulum has swung too far in this direction. We need to find a balance.
The Unmatched Power Of Reading
The key to rekindling the UK’s love of reading is to acknowledge the role of reading has massively evolved. Back in the olden days (aka up until the 1990s), reading was the most effective way to learn, gain an empathetic perspective on other’s lives, or escape the day-to-day. As the internet has stepped in to fill these roles, reading has certainly taken a back seat for many.
Contrary to public opinion, there are many aspects where reading still reigns supreme:
- Better comprehension
- Improved focus
- Stronger analytical thinking
- Stress reduction
People understand what they read better when they read in print, as it stimulates the mind and promotes active learning. Reading books can also help improve focus and concentration. This is a particularly important benefit, as the nation’s attention span is suffering.
“There is no shame in not finishing a book“
Reading books, as opposed to scrolling through social media, can help strengthen analytical thinking skills. To the average Brit, this may not appear to be important. But, an analytical mind is better at problem-solving, decision-making, and creating. (Breaking news: reading helps you develop!)
Despite all the ‘fun’ of scrolling on Instagram or TikTok, I can find it incredibly overwhelming. Reading books can help reduce stress, which, for me, is the MOST important benefit. With the constant comparisons to the girl from primary school who just got engaged, reading awful news stories, and the 100 beauty trends you should have started in the womb to avoid wrinkles, it can all be a bit much.
Instead of digesting fifty different narratives in the span of a minute, why not hunker down with a copy of Pride and Prejudice to fixate on Mr. Darcy for a few hours? It seems much more beneficial for the human psyche (and very enjoyable, I promise). The level of information TikTok gives us in just one day would likely kill a Victorian child, so spending some time unplugged can be the best stress relief.
How Can We Get the UK Reading Again?
Knowing the positive impact reading has is one thing. Implementing it is entirely different. Stubborn habits, busy schedules, and intimidation can make reading feel like a very low priority. Trust me, if achieving something was as simple as thinking it, I’d likely be fluent in Mandarin by now.
So, here are some top tips to help you read more consistently:
- Set aside time in your schedule
- Don’t feel as though you have to read a lengthy “classic”. Pick books that interest you!
- Connect with other readers: friends, book clubs, and creators.
- Experiment with different authors and genres to discover what you enjoy.
- There is no shame in not finishing a book. If you aren’t enjoying it, no one is forcing you to get to that predictable, shallow ending. Try something else!
- Above all else, please remember reading should be FUN!
Well, congratulations are in order if you have got to the end of this article. Statistically, you should already be learning about cortisol face or recreating a viral recipe right about now. And finally, I truly hope 2025 is full of more great reading material for you (excuse the humble brag).
READ NEXT:
-
WHY WE SHOULD BE READING TRANSLATED FICTION
-
AGEING LIKE MILK: CAN WE ENJOY PROBLEMATIC OLD MEDIA?
-
THE DEMISE OF THIRD PLACES AND WHY IT’S MAKING US LONELY
Featured image courtesy of Thought Catalog via Unsplash. No changes made to this image. Image license found here.
