You used to read for joy, now you read for deadlines.You used to get lost in stories, now you get lost in guilt.
If reading feels like a chore, you’re not broken. . . . . You're burned out!
You deserve to come home to books again and here's some things that might help.
Read Without Reviewing
Give yourself permission to read just for you.
No notes.
No star ratings.
No blog drafts.
Let the story be yours alone.
Like a secret crush.
Like a quiet joy.
Try this:
• Pick a book and promise yourself: “No review. No pressure.”
• Read in pajamas, with snacks, and zero expectations
• Let yourself DNF without guilt if it doesn’t spark joy
Revisit Your Comfort Reads
Go back to the books that feel like home.
The ones that made you fall in love with reading in the first place.
The ones that still smell like nostalgia.
Try this:
• Reread a favorite chapter instead of a whole book
• Annotate with doodles, stickers, or emotional reactions
• Create a “Comfort Shelf” on your blog or Goodreads
Shift the Narrative: From Obligation to Curiosity
Instead of “I have to read this,” try “I wonder what this story holds.” - curiosity is softer than pressure.
It invites you in, instead of weighing you down.
Try this:
• Choose books based on mood, not schedule
• Explore genres you’ve never reviewed before
• Read novellas, graphic novels, or poetry—something bite-sized and fresh
Start a Joy Journal
Not a reading tracker - not a review planner - a joy journal, a place to record:
• Lines that made you smile
• Characters you’d be friends with
• Feelings you had while reading—without needing to explain them
Try this:
• Use colorful pens, washi tape, or chaotic scribbles
• Make it messy, emotional, and yours
• Title it “Proof That I Still Love Books”
Take a Break (Yes, Really!)
Sometimes the best way to reignite love…is to step away. Let yourself miss reading. Let the silence remind you why stories matter.
Try this:
- Declare a “reading sabbatical” on your blog
- Fill your creative cup with movies, music, or writing instead
- Return when you’re ready—not when you feel obligated
Final Whisper
Your love for reading isn’t gone, it’s just buried under expectations.
And you?
You’re allowed to reclaim it. So read slowly, read selfishly, read like no one’s watching.
Because the best stories aren’t just reviewed - they’re felt.
Have you ever lost your reading mojo and if so did you use any of the above to help get it back? Maybe you have other tips you'd like to share that helped you through your reading slump. If you have any I'd love to hear them!
