Reclaiming the Art of Reading and Writing in a World of Reels and Shorts

Reclaiming the Art of Reading and Writing in a World of Reels and Shorts

In today's fast-paced digital world, where short-form content like social media reels and video shorts dominate our attention, I find myself yearning to reclaim the art of reading and writing. Maybe this rant is coming from my almost 30-year-old self, who can’t seem to cope with so much information thrown at me in a few seconds. “The best pasta recipe”, “what Zendaya wore to the Met in the past few years”,” Gentle parenting tips”, and “How to triple your income- join this workshop”. So many tabs open in my head and I can’t focus on anything deeply. I can’t recollect what I just saw, and quite frankly I am not sure if it’s even entertaining at the least. I am fed up with seeing random people doing one hook step for one song. If I have to see another “Jisoo flower” dance video reel, I might scream. And this is coming from a dancer. 

It's disheartening to feel like we’re living through an era in which reading and writing are declining. Our attention spans are dwindling, and the consumption of long-form content, such as books and essays, is declining. However, I believe it's vital to recognize the profound benefits of reading and writing, not only for personal growth but also for mental and emotional resilience.

The Shrinking Attention Span

In this digital age, I can't help but notice the impact on our attention spans due to the constant barrage of short and snappy content. It's astonishing to think that, according to a study conducted by Microsoft in 2018, the average human attention span has reduced to a mere eight seconds, shorter than that of a goldfish. As I reflect on my own experiences, I realize that this decline in attention span can be attributed to our constant exposure to bite-sized content, such as social media posts and quick videos. While these formats have their merits, they fail to provide the depth and nuance found in long-form content.

The Rise of Short-Form Content

With the rise of platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube shorts, we’re right in the midst of witnessing the exponential growth of short-form content. These platforms offer instant gratification, delivering visually appealing content that captures our attention effortlessly. Might I add, I am unsure of the credibility of most of these “shorts”. “Do these two things to become 3x richer in 2 days?” Really? 

As a result of this raise in this (overstimulating) short-form content, the consumption of nourishing long-form content, such as books, is suffering.

The Importance of Reading for Attention Span

Reading has always held a special place in my heart, and I firmly believe it is an essential practice for developing and maintaining a robust attention span. Unlike short-form content, reading requires sustained focus and engagement over an extended period. When I immerse myself in a book, I enter a world of imagination, allowing my mind to wander, analyze, and reflect. I remember reading being such a cherished pastime (and bonding experience) for my friends and me growing up! It trained us to concentrate for longer durations, helped build our attention spans, and improved our ability to focus. Attributes that are extremely important in life.

Moreover, reading long-form content exposes us to complex ideas, diverse perspectives, and intricate narratives. It fosters critical thinking, empathy, and the capacity to analyze and synthesize information. By engaging with well-crafted sentences, vivid descriptions, and layered characters, we exercise our cognitive faculties, enhancing our ability to think deeply and critically.

The Benefits of Writing for Mental and Emotional Resilience

Writing is not only a creative outlet but also a powerful tool for personal growth and emotional resilience. Putting my thoughts and emotions into words helps me gain clarity, process complex experiences, and make sense of my inner world. Scientific studies have demonstrated the therapeutic effects of writing, including reducing stress levels, boosting immune function, and enhancing overall well-being and from personal experience, nothing helps me process things better than writing. 

Writing also provides us with an opportunity for self-reflection and introspection. By journaling regularly, we can explore our inner thoughts, fears, and aspirations, leading to greater self-awareness and self-discovery. Additionally, writing allows us to organize our thoughts coherently, improving put communication skills and enabling us to express ourselves more effectively in various aspects of life. 

With this being said, let’s go over what we can do to refocus and grow our attention span, and rekindle our love for reading.

Books to Improve Focus and Attention

1. "Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World" by Cal Newport

This book explores the concept of deep work, and as I read through its pages, I discovered practical strategies to regain focus in a world filled with constant interruptions. Newport's insights can be invaluable in helping us carve out dedicated time for deep, undistracted work.

He begins by highlighting the perils of our increasingly distracted world, where our attention is constantly divided, fragmented, and compromised. The ubiquity of smartphones, social media, and endless streams of information has left us vulnerable to shallow work and a diminished capacity for deep thinking.

But Newport doesn't just dwell on the problems. Instead, he provides a roadmap for embracing deep work, a state of intense focus where we can achieve extraordinary results. He argues that deep work is not only essential for professional success but also a source of true fulfillment and personal satisfaction. Drawing upon compelling research and captivating anecdotes, Newport introduces us to the lives of individuals who have harnessed the power of deep work to excel in their fields. From renowned authors to computer programmers, these individuals have embraced solitude and intense concentration to produce groundbreaking work that has left a lasting impact.

2. "The Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains" by Nicholas Carr

 

In "The Shallows," Nicholas Carr delves into the effects of internet usage on our brains and attention spans. Carr's research and compelling arguments have made me pause and reflect on my own digital habits. This thought-provoking book encourages readers to reassess their relationship with technology and reclaim their cognitive abilities.Carr makes a compelling case that our reliance on digital media for information consumption has created an environment of shallow thinking. The constant barrage of notifications, hyperlinks, and multimedia stimuli has eroded our capacity for deep reading, critical thinking, and contemplation. We have become, as he puts it, "skimmers" rather than "deep divers" in the sea of knowledge.

3. Stolen focus: Why you can't pay attention. By Johann Hari

Drawing upon research and personal anecdotes, this book highlights the profound impact that digital distractions have on our cognitive abilities. It delves into the science behind attention and reveals how our brains are wired to seek novelty and instant gratification, making us susceptible to the allure of online distractions. Stolen Focus is an eye-opening book that explores the detrimental effects of digital distractions on our ability to concentrate and engage in meaningful work. As I read this book, I couldn't help but reflect on my own experiences with technology and the ways in which it has hijacked my focus.

The author takes us on a journey through the modern landscape of constant connectivity, where our attention is under siege by an array of digital temptations. From social media notifications to endless streams of emails, these distractions pull us away from the important tasks at hand and erode our productivity.

4. "Mindset: The New Psychology of Success" by Carol S. Dweck

   Carol Dweck's "Mindset" explores the power of mindset in shaping our abilities and achieving success.I discovered the transformative potential of adopting a growth mindset and embracing challenges. This shift in perspective can not only help our attention span but also nurture our persistence and overall capacity for learning and personal development.

What about writing? What can we do to actively get this skill back into our lives? 

Journaling Tips to Improve Writing Habits

1. Set a Regular Writing Schedule: Establishing a consistent writing routine has been instrumental in making journaling a habit. You can start by designating a specific time each day or week for writing, creating a dedicated space where you can focus and reflect.

2. Start Small: If the idea of writing pages upon pages feels overwhelming, I started with small, manageable writing sessions. I began with a few sentences or paragraphs and gradually increased the length as I became more comfortable.

3. Embrace Freewriting: Freewriting has been a liberating practice for me. It involves writing continuously for a set period without worrying about grammar, structure, or coherence. This technique allows me to tap into my stream of consciousness, sparking creativity and unearthing deeper thoughts and emotions, especially emotions.

5. Emphasize Reflection and Self-Expression: Journaling is a personal and introspective practice. I take the time to reflect on my experiences, thoughts, and emotions. I strive to be authentic and unfiltered in my writing, allowing my journal and my blog to serve as a safe space for self-expression and self-discovery.

In a world increasingly dominated by short-form content and digital distractions, I firmly believe in reclaiming the art of reading and writing. Reading long-form content enhances our attention span, critical thinking abilities, and capacity for deep reflection. Writing, on the other hand, promotes mental and emotional resilience, allowing us to process our experiences, express ourselves, and gain clarity.

By deliberately setting aside time for reading and incorporating writing into our daily lives, we can counteract the negative effects of information overload and fleeting attention spans. Let's embrace the power of books to improve focus and attention, while also harnessing the therapeutic benefits of journaling to enhance our writing habits. Reclaiming these lost arts will not only enrich our lives but help us enhance our emotional intelligence and collective intelligence as well.