28. I can’t read

Ironic isn’t it? An amateur writer telling you she can’t read. Well, the joke’s on you because that was clickbait. And the irony in that sentence is that I am more glued to clickbait than good literature right now.

I can’t tell you how many new books I have purchased this year and intend to read. I doubt I have even finished reading half of them. I see at least two of them sitting on my bedside table in my peripheral vision, my eyes fixated on my Instagram feed. I scroll, living vicariously through those frolicking in Europe. If it’s not my Instagram, it’s a TikTok that’s either useless to my existence, Taylor Swift-related, a fit check, or likely another book recommendation.

For years I’ve tried to steer clear of being the “typical” Gen Z who is addicted to their phone and lets their camera roll eat their lunch before them. I don’t blame us though, the food normally looks more aesthetic and put together than me.

However, I have realised that I’m struggling to break my tech habits and crack open a book to read “analogue” words. It’s an embarrassing confession but I know that in this day and age, I’m not alone in fearing checking my Screen Time in settings.

This is my public declaration that I am working to change my habits because I want to read these books that are, unfortunately, currently working overtime as dust collectors. If you don’t know me personally, I could be described as having a Type-A personality. I love structure and although I have been known to go with the flow, I don’t take the Fast and Loose route in life. I have no children, no pets and barely a handful of plants; I just have myself to keep alive and well, yet the excuses pour out of me. The excuse, “I have no time” is blasphemy, I work a 9-5, so what am I doing with my 5-9?

So here I am, resorting to informing my readers of my commitment to reading at least 5 books before the year’s end. If it takes a schedule, it takes a schedule, but it shouldn’t take a village. I will keep you updated on my Instagram (again, ironically using technology to stay on top of it, but the time I spend on the LTS page barely counts, right?). Regardless, I invite any of you to admit your scary phone screen time hours to make me feel better.