Its hard for me too to do long reads, i got social media brainrot and im sure covid brain doesnt help. Now I do two things to help my focus and retention.
First I try to be an active listener/reader and take notes, or listen to audiobooks with readalong highlighted text (such as Natural Reader). It helps me stay focused and increases my comprehension a lot. I also use obsidian note taking app when i really want to absorb the text.
Also, im changing my habits. i’m learning how to pick up long read habits that meet my scrolling/short read habits. So even though i spend only a shorter time reading, i read more often. After 5-15 min I may switch to review notes, switch focus to another text, or write some, and then come back to the text until im done, switching it up when i get too distracted. If im anxious i do chores or go for a walk, have tea then come back to it. And it doesnt matter whether i read it completely or not.
This helps me feel its more casual and i get the sort of dopamine id have for short form content by focusing on several processes at a time. And lately i notice i can do longer sessions, 30-40 minutes.
Its hard for me too to do long reads, i got social media brainrot and im sure covid brain doesnt help. Now I do two things to help my focus and retention.
First I try to be an active listener/reader and take notes, or listen to audiobooks with readalong highlighted text (such as Natural Reader). It helps me stay focused and increases my comprehension a lot. I also use obsidian note taking app when i really want to absorb the text.
Also, im changing my habits. i’m learning how to pick up long read habits that meet my scrolling/short read habits. So even though i spend only a shorter time reading, i read more often. After 5-15 min I may switch to review notes, switch focus to another text, or write some, and then come back to the text until im done, switching it up when i get too distracted. If im anxious i do chores or go for a walk, have tea then come back to it. And it doesnt matter whether i read it completely or not.
This helps me feel its more casual and i get the sort of dopamine id have for short form content by focusing on several processes at a time. And lately i notice i can do longer sessions, 30-40 minutes.