I am an avid reader, and yet I have some very specific requirements when settling into a good book. I am a big believer in staying focused on the task at hand and I have even taken the time to research productivity. In this “quarantine/self-isolation/staying home whenever possible” time, I have found the need to really hone my skills as someone who can work from home and feel productive.
My biggest takeaway is that our brains are not wired to multitask. There are plenty of articles out there about this specific topic and I found it fascinating. I used to be someone that would boast of my ability to multitask as if that were some huge accomplishment considering we have devices that alert us multiple times within the hour. Once I gave in to the idea of focus and energy into one project, I found that I was able to feel more successful.
We live in a world of interruptions and you have to be very mindful when trying to rid yourself of the distraction, which can be virtually impossible. (I write this while watching reruns of Supernatural, so, clearly, I’m not a pro just yet.) Something that I have really grown to appreciate, is quiet time. And it’s not just quiet in terms of volume, but also, in stillness, peacefulness, and mental relaxation. (This is all the dream, right? I strive for this but not always is it easy to accomplish.)
One way I have found this serenity is when reading a book with headphones in and listening to ambient sounds. I have found some pretty great playlists on Spotify (check them out here) but you have to find the right one for you. I can’t read and listen to a singer; I am immediately sucked into the lyrics. I also can’t read while watching TV because I’m only human and I find myself getting invested in the Kitchen Nightmare that Gordon Ramsey has to fix before their untimely demise. I found my sweet spot. My husband likes watching TV in bed but if I adjust my pillow just right, I can cover the screen with my book and then get overwhelmed by the beauty of the novel. Sometimes I just put in earplugs to drown out the inevitable snores as I convince myself that if I can get 50 more pages in, I will be the champion of the world. I know my sister likes to read with classical music and write while listening to opera. My dad has the ability to read in the middle of a family dinner, but perhaps this is his gentle way of telling us that our discussion bores him. I’ve come to understand that everyone has their own style. Are you a super mom that can deal with children and keep up with a novel? You rockstars are the exception to the rule of multitasking! Do you have a reading preference? Do you listen to music? Or do you simply cherish whatever moments of silence you can find?
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