This is a topic I think about quite often. I started reading at quite a young age, I was probably around 7-8. Just like many other readers, throughout my childhood I went through on and off reading phases. Looking back to when I was in primary school, I remember the joy it would bring me to go to the school library and pick up an archeaology book (I was very into history at that time). As I grew into my teen years, I started reading romance, and it was then, that I fell in love with fiction.
Fast forward to 2026, I sit here and ponder the different ways reading has impacted my life. We are living in the new digital era, where AI is becoming a replacement for a therapist, and ChatGPT is our best friend. Unfortunately, I have come across various sources discussing the effects the new digital era is having on our reading habits. People are reading less these days. I can’t blame them really, not when you have everyone’s day to day life, thoughts and opinions on a device attached to your hand. Many of us have a social media addiction, and low literacy rates is just one of the many ways the digital world is affecting us.
So to help motivate some of you to read more, I thought I’d discuss a few ways reading improves different areas of my life. Let’s get into it:
1. How Reading Improves My Dating Life
I am an avid romance reader. I grew up reading the most romantic stories, where the girl meets the guy, he sweeps her off her feet, and they live happily ever after. Now I know that doesn’t always happen in real life, BUT I believe it’s a good mindset to have in the dating world. Let me explain.
Now don’t get me wrong, I have had my fair share of terrible dating experiences, and I am currently single, and have been most of my life. I realised recently, that the standards I have been setting for future partners always partly involve an MMC from one of the books I have read.
To some this may sound a little insane, but when I am dating someone, and let’s say they do something that’s a bit of a red flag, or something I feel unsure about, I genuinely ask myself “Would Xaden do this to Violet?”, and if the answer is a big NOOOO, then I get out of that situation, and honestly you guys, it has efficiently kept the low effort, mediocre guys away. My closets friends definitely think I’m a little insane and delusional when I tell them these things, but honestly if it raises my standards and keeps the minimal effort men away, I’ll do this every day of the week.
2. How Reading Improves My Motivation And Confidence
Since I was young, I have always loved having an alter ego. I grew up very shy. I hated public speaking, getting to know new people and making friends. It was all too much for me. But at some point, I can’t recall exactly when, I got the idea to use an alter ego I could embody to be more confident in these environments. I remember calling her Roxy. For a long time, I actually used Rocky (aka Zendaya from Shake It Up) as my inspiration for my alter ego, and it worked! Rocky’s character in the show was smart, confident and motivated, and I wanted to unlock those traits in me.
Eventually I did grow out of the Rocky alter ego, and if I came across a character from a movie or a book that I was inspired by, they would inspire “Roxy”.
The past year or so, I started a FANTASTIC series called Throne Of Glass by Sarah J. Maas. For those of you who don’t know this series, basically all you need to know is that it’s a high fantasy romance story about a female assassin called Celeana Sardothien, who’s traumatic and brave journey we follow through the world of Erilea.
This series is one of the few I recommend to EVERYONE I know. I found Celeanas story and character to be so brave and strong, I decided to use it as inspiration for my alter ego. For example, sometimes when I am in situations or places where I need to be strong and confident, and when I struggle to find that within me, I ask myself “What would Celeana do?”. I know in most situations she would hold her head up high and fight for what she believes in and cares for. She’s that kinda girl. And so I embody that through my alter ego.
There must be some psychological explanation to this, because it works. Every time. I think this also shows the power of the mind, and the instant effect of positive thoughts on the mind and body, but anyways that’s for another post.
3. How Reading Reduces My Anxiety
Since I was 16 years old I have struggled with anxiety issues. Most of my anxiety stressors stem from overthinking, spending too much time in my own head and the big “what ifs?”. But I noticed a pattern.
When I would read, my anxiety would decrease. I think a big part of why my anxiety decreases during reading is because I can disconnect from the real world, I can step out of my mind and spend time in a fantasy world where no one or nothing is stressing me out.
The distraction part of reading has become something I crave most days. I crave those few hours a day that I am not too much in my own head thinking about my next career move, or why this person hasn’t answered my message from two days ago lol.
So for those of you who struggle with anxiety, try reading. But actually focus on the book, on the story, and on fully inmersing yourself into the world your reading.
And that’s all on this topic! I hope this post has given you even a little smidge of motivation to pick up a book. Let me know in the comments your thoughts and opinions. Happy reading darlings!
