Why You Should Stop Reading That Book (and Other Stuff)

For most of my life, or at least the portion of it that I have read for pleasure, I have had a ridiculous inability to stop reading unsatisfying books. Even if the book has been excruciatingly dull, I force myself to the last page in a minor act of self-torture and I hate myself for it.

Half of me doesn't want to fail the book. I like the sense of achievement that comes with finishing a book, or with completing anything for that matter. Maybe if its a bestseller or a classic I feel like I should enjoy the book or at the very least tolerate it until the end.

The other half of me wonders whether something incredible might happen in the last couple of pages that will completely shift my perspective and opinion of the story and if I don't continue I will be missing out on something magical. Although this has happened a couple of times, it has not happened anywhere near enough to make up for all the the hours I have lost to disappointing and unfulfilling reads.

I decided recently that something needs to change. I am sick of wasting my time on books that don't bring anything to my life. I decided when faced with a decision on whether to follow through with a book I would ask myself the following questions:

1. Is it necessary?

I would categorise necessary reads as something that may not be enjoyable but it serves a purpose. Personally I would use this to describe some of my university module books (although luckily I do enjoy most of them). You can decide for yourself what is necessary. If I decide that it is a necessary read then I continue with it. If not I ask myself the next question.

2. Is it making me feel?

I have already established that I am reading this book for leisure so now to figure out if I am enjoying it. Most of the time when I get to the point of asking myself both of these questions it is because my appreciation or attention towards the book is wavering. At this point it is best to let go (maybe just for a while) and read something that elicits emotion. I originally worded this as "Is it making me happy?" Then realised this is not fitting. Not all books are intended to bring happiness and that's ok. At the point where a book causes no emotional response is when I believe it is best to put it down.

I then realised how these two questions can help me in other aspects of life. So many of us now seem to torture ourselves over avoidable things for no valid reason. If anything in life is not essential to your survival and you don't gain anything emotionally from it, its not worth it. Life can be severely emotionally draining at times so it is important to make happiness a priority. This can be easily forgotten when we're so busy thinking about all the other things we need to keep us going.

To quit something is often associated with failure but sometimes it is okay to quit if the thing that you are giving up is a waste of time and energy. You should not feel shame for giving up anything that you are not gaining something from, whether it be a book, hobby, relationship, or anything else in life.

So stop actively choosing to do things based on others expectations of you. Stop causing yourself unnecessary suffering. Stop being content with things that don't add anything to your life or others.

Start making decisions that favour yourself and your happiness.

You are a priority.