This clarified why reading and writing feel so deeply connected, even when I’m not consciously studying craft. Reading keeps my inner world moving. It stretches my sense of possibility and language in ways scrolling never does. The line about remaining mentally alive really stuck with me. It explains why I feel duller when reading slips out of my routine, even if I’m technically resting. I’m looking forward to doing some reading over the holidays! Thank you Idris Elijah and Merry Christmas to you!
You’re most welcome Chloe! I go through the same cycles. Where reading becomes less of an occurrence and I feel it in my work. But we shall overcome! And Merry Christmas to you too! 🎅🏾🎄
You expressed something in this newsletter I’ve felt but never articulated. Reading isn’t something I do to become better or more productive. It’s something I do to stay mentally awake. I especially connected with reading as an interruption to the anxiety loop. It’s not an escape but a reorganization of thought. Even five intentional minutes feels like choosing depth over drift and that choice adds up more than we realize. It’s why I journal and paint and do yoga too. A very enjoyable read Idris Elijah and wishing you a happy holiday this week!
I appreciated the emphasis on “even five minutes counts.” Most days feel chaotic and reading often gets pushed aside because I don’t have a long stretch of quiet. This made me rethink that. If reading is really about keeping the mind active and alive, then consistency matters more than duration. I can protect small pockets of time and that feels doable instead of idealistic. I have some time off of work this week and can devote some of it to reading so this is great advice today! Merry Christmas Idris Elijah!!
Love seeing the practical lessons taken to so effectively! You further reinforce for me that the little bits of reading I do add up. And they always will. Thanks Maria 🤩 And Merry Christmas to you and yours 🎅🏾🎄🙌🏾
This reframed reading for me in a quiet but serious way. I used to treat it as something nice to get to when life calms down, but you’re right…reading isn’t passive at all. It asks more of my mind than almost anything else I do during the day. I’m realizing the days I read, even briefly, are the days my thinking feels more spacious and less reactive. Five minutes doesn’t feel small anymore. One of the best decisions I made last year was committing to reading 12 books a year. Thank you Idris for showing us the benefits today and hope you are enjoying the holidays!
The part about reading as recalibration rather than escapism is sharp. When I go through periods where I skip reading, my thinking loops on itself in a way that feels almost claustrophobic. Reading doesnt solve the problem but it interrupts the pattern long enough to see it from outside. The comparison to unused musles weakening totally tracks too. Mental drift happens gradually, and most people dunno its happening until they try to recall something specific and realize the machinery is sluggish.
This clarified why reading and writing feel so deeply connected, even when I’m not consciously studying craft. Reading keeps my inner world moving. It stretches my sense of possibility and language in ways scrolling never does. The line about remaining mentally alive really stuck with me. It explains why I feel duller when reading slips out of my routine, even if I’m technically resting. I’m looking forward to doing some reading over the holidays! Thank you Idris Elijah and Merry Christmas to you!
You’re most welcome Chloe! I go through the same cycles. Where reading becomes less of an occurrence and I feel it in my work. But we shall overcome! And Merry Christmas to you too! 🎅🏾🎄
You expressed something in this newsletter I’ve felt but never articulated. Reading isn’t something I do to become better or more productive. It’s something I do to stay mentally awake. I especially connected with reading as an interruption to the anxiety loop. It’s not an escape but a reorganization of thought. Even five intentional minutes feels like choosing depth over drift and that choice adds up more than we realize. It’s why I journal and paint and do yoga too. A very enjoyable read Idris Elijah and wishing you a happy holiday this week!
Love these takeaways! Spoken from a true place. Thank you so much for sharing Jody, and happy holidays to you as well this week 🎄🙌🏾🎅🏾
I appreciated the emphasis on “even five minutes counts.” Most days feel chaotic and reading often gets pushed aside because I don’t have a long stretch of quiet. This made me rethink that. If reading is really about keeping the mind active and alive, then consistency matters more than duration. I can protect small pockets of time and that feels doable instead of idealistic. I have some time off of work this week and can devote some of it to reading so this is great advice today! Merry Christmas Idris Elijah!!
Love seeing the practical lessons taken to so effectively! You further reinforce for me that the little bits of reading I do add up. And they always will. Thanks Maria 🤩 And Merry Christmas to you and yours 🎅🏾🎄🙌🏾
This reframed reading for me in a quiet but serious way. I used to treat it as something nice to get to when life calms down, but you’re right…reading isn’t passive at all. It asks more of my mind than almost anything else I do during the day. I’m realizing the days I read, even briefly, are the days my thinking feels more spacious and less reactive. Five minutes doesn’t feel small anymore. One of the best decisions I made last year was committing to reading 12 books a year. Thank you Idris for showing us the benefits today and hope you are enjoying the holidays!
Thank you Brian! And love these takeaways, well said. Hope you’re enjoying the holidays as well! 🎅🏾🎄🤩
The part about reading as recalibration rather than escapism is sharp. When I go through periods where I skip reading, my thinking loops on itself in a way that feels almost claustrophobic. Reading doesnt solve the problem but it interrupts the pattern long enough to see it from outside. The comparison to unused musles weakening totally tracks too. Mental drift happens gradually, and most people dunno its happening until they try to recall something specific and realize the machinery is sluggish.
You’re exactly right! It does break that loop so easy to miss until you’re outside it. Thank you for sharing your great takeaways 🤩🤩