Dopamine and Overconsumption

[mesotablar]

 So it is the start of the year and I do some annual tasks, one of them being archiving last year's book list and starting a new one. I've been tracking all the books and fanfics I've read for the past 6 years. 

Now I've picked up a book called Dopamine Nation by Anna Lembke and I've been reading many people's reviews of last year's resolutions and their goals for this years New Year's resolutions.

 

 I think I have a problem

I read too much

Seriously, 

last year's numbers were 78 books and 146 fanfics, sure I could blame the pandemic and being forced into lockdowns, but then how do I explain 2018 and the 150 books and 106 fanfics I read that year? 
My average is 100 novels a year, and maybe 5 or so are audio books but the rest were once trees. Hours and hours spent sitting and reading. If I spent that time working out I would be fittest fit person there ever was. 

Books are my happy place, they are addictive. I have a whole ritual when Anne Bishop releases a new book and I celebrate like it is Easter. 

but...
I think I need to spend time doing other things...

I already am!
I'm writing and doing challenges and carnivals

 

Now only time will tell if I'm going to relapse back into my bad reading habits.
(But of course nothing counts until after I've celebrated Anne Bishop's new book release, 9 WEEKS AND COUNTING!!!!!!!!)
 

Comments

[fred_mouse]

Those numbers don't sound excessive. Looking at my numbers, I downloaded 222 fanfics last year -- that isn't all that I read, that is just the ones I loved enough to want to have the option to reread even if the author deletes them. Plus I read 107 books that made it in to my records (my guess is I miss up to five per year). For that matter, I've finished 6 books in 7 days this year -- this is not unusual for holidays. In that time I've downloaded 2 fanfics, am rereading one I love, and have started another long one (I have an erratic attention span -- if I am going to read I have to have options).

Having said that, congrats on getting the energy and motivation to write and do challenges and carnivals - that is fabulous!

[mesotablar]

Yay! Thank you for also being a voracious reader! I was starting to feel alone on a very long thin branch.

At the moment I have seven books partially read, one audiobook partially listened to, and I've joined the Chocolate Box Challenge which means my fanfic consumption is about to go through the roof!

~Though Dopamine Nation did point out to me that books do negatively impact my health as I should be more physically active, I'd already come to the decision mid-last year that I wanted to become more of a producer than a consumer.

I wish you luck for your Holiday/Year Plan goal #3 (read more books)!

[fred_mouse]

Depending on how things are with your body, you might be like me, and the reading is happening during times when being physically active isn't necessarily an option. I do most of my reading in the evenings, when I don't have the energy to be doing much more.

[mesotablar]

I definitely read my way through my low-points, and before bed, and waiting at the dentist/doctor/hospital/bank. It is the times I could be active but I read anyway that are what I'm planning to target this year. or at least switch to more audiobooks so I can 'read' and walk at the same time!

[fred_mouse]

Ah! that makes sense. And yes, podcasts and audio books are things I'm trying to get more in to this year, now that i have earbuds that go with my phone.

[mekare]

BAD reading habits do not exist. Reading is great and only gets more valuable as time goes on because your knowledge in general and ability to discern well written books from mediocre stuff grows.

Be proud of yourself. I wish I had the time to read 100 books a year.

[mesotablar]

Oh sure, most of my reading choices are good. Actual work that people have poured their hearts into, or things that will expand my knowledge in interesting ways...

but there is no excuse for reading formulaic paperbacks *cough* Barbara Cartland *cough*
ahahahahaha

I wish you many good moments with books in this new year!

[mekare]

Nothing wrong with guilty pleasures either! As long as they bring you joy. ;-)