how did i not know these existed???? i desperately want one now, but i know i don’t need them 😭😭

i primarily read on my phone, and it’s pretty convenient and easy. getting a kobo would literally mean more work and prep. but omg they’re so pretty and i could put stickers on them 😫

I’ve been thinking about this recently, and I wanted to get some other perspectives on this!

There are so many books out there that I want to read and my TBR is always growing, which isn’t necessarily a bad problem to have, but I find myself feeling like I’m rushing through books to meet my goals or so I can move onto the next one. I feel like I absorb a pretty good amount of what I read, especially since I take notes on or annotate most books, but I still feel like I don’t always give books the time or attention they deserve. Or I will read a book and really love it, but I’ll be so focused on starting the next one that I don’t give myself time to sit with it.

Do you guys have any input on this or any strategies for balancing the desire to read every single book with the need to uncover every ounce of meaning in a book?

… ok… I lied… it’s not magic, it’s SCIENCE!!!

I’m sure we’ve all heard of pavlovas classical conditioning. Ring a bell while a dog eats, do this for a while, and then whenever u ring the bell the dog drools bc it’s hungry. The dog associates rhe bell with food.

Well, I’ve conditioned myself to associate my “magic” bracelet, to reading time. Here’s how I did it;

The goal with each step is to create habit and positive association. I weened most of these out once I had made a strong connection to reading and this bracelet. Keep this in mind if u plan on doing this urself <3

Phase one; making the magic

• I made a “magic bracelet container”. I really leaned into the magical/ whimsy theme bc it makes me happy. It also made me think about all the magical books I’ve read, deepening the positive association to reading and my bracelet.
• I made my magic bracelet. I used my fav embroidery thread ,and used beads to say “Kenzie’s magic reading bracelet”. This created a strong personal connection to the bracelet. Not only did I make it myself, but it says my name so it MUST be connected to me.
• I then scented the bracelet. I chose a strawberry perfume cuz I love the smell. I ONLY use it on the bracelet and when I’m reading so my brain associated the smell to reading. (I put a cotton ball in my little air tight container and sprayed that too, to help the longevity of the smell)
• I then wrote a little “spell” that basically said “it’s reading time”. This lets my brain know “hey, all of this stuff means reading time. Let’s go do that”
• I then created a ten day long tracker. I made the tracker absolutely adorable so I’m excited to fill it out every time I read. On the tracker I had 10 pictures that I could colour in. The amount of colours I used per picture dictated how many times I read that day. (U want to reinforce the bracelet connection as often as u can, so I aimed to read with it three times a day). I also made a section where I can add my thoughts, writing only positive ones.

Phase 2; where the magic happens

• When I felt like reading, I’d create a cozy spot (preferably the same spot for the first while, but it’s not a necessity, just makes the process go faster/ smoother). Got in my bed, lit a candle (same one every time), put on my space heater, drank my tea, put on rain noises (same ones every time) (none of these are essential either, the main goal is to create an environment u want to be in)
• Id set up my reward systems (I’ll talk abt that in the next part) take out my bracelet, say my “spell”, then put the bracelt on and read.
• While I was reading, whenever there was a part in the book I was really enjoying, I’d intentionally touch the bracelet (again, with the goal of bracelet= reading= happy)
• I’d stop reading when I was content (not at the my fav parts, but I stopped before I was like “ugh ok fine one more chapter”)

Phase three; even more magic???

• I would keep my bracelet on during the reward parts (some ppl say not to do this, some do, i personally kept it on to remind myself that fun stuff happens when the bracelet is on and all of it is reading related)
• after I had finished reading I had stopped my focus friend timer (love that app with my life), and looked at how many socks I had won.
• I would then let my self colour a picture on my tracker and write abt how much I enjoyed reading
• Whenever I felt like giving up I’d remind myself that I get to post ✨this post✨ at the end of the ten days

Phase 4; additional tips

• I Kept the bracelet with me (not on me) at all times. So I was thinking abt reading often
• Whenever I wasn’t in a good mood or didn’t want to read (after I had put the magic bracelt on) I’d take it off IMMEDIATELY. I only want positive things ascosiated with it.
• The more cues u give ur brain, the stronger connection it’ll make. The bracelt is the main cue and eveything else follows. The same room. Same smell. Same sounds. Same bed. Same candle. Same tea. After a while u can switch things up (just not the bracelt. None of this is mandatory but it helps a ton and makes it a lot quicker)
• Wear the bracelet. Every. Single. Time. U read

Questions I have yet to answer

• do things change when I’m in a reading slump?
• Have I lost the ability to be able to focus on reading without the bracelet? If so, can I use a different bracelet as a temporary replacement?

Boom. That’s how I did it. I know this all sounds insane (it is) but I mean ten days and now my brain can magically focus on reading on command??? I think it’s a fair trade. Please let me know ur thoughts and if you’d ever try it, if u think there’s anything I could’ve improved on, and if there are any other questions I should try to answer!!! (Ps. Sorry if there are any typos)

“Familiarity could look very much like love from a certain angle, if one didn’t look too hard.”

Well if that doesn’t define my last few relationships, I don’t know what does. 😅 Seriously though, I think that line is excellent and can be true for many circumstances.

I don't know if this is normal... but I find the story quite difficult to read. I don't find it particularly incredible, it's interesting but not very energetic? It annoys me a little