I went through something similar. Thought it was just my kids getting older and peri/menopause. Turns out I have a whole host of autonomic things going on! I agree with you so much that for readers, a slump or DNFs can be your first clue that something deeper is going on.
Oh Lindsey, that's a whole layer I didn't even get into, and you're right that it belongs in this conversation. I was writing about the emotional and life stuff, but the body keeps its own score too, and a slump can absolutely be the first flag that something physical is off. Thank you for naming the part I missed.
Thank you for writing this because I'm going through the exact same thing! My son moved out three years ago, I'm single, my job ended in December 2025, and I suddenly have so much more time than I ever thought I would in 30 years. The only things that have stuck for me, too, are reading and writing. Writing is forcing me to confront issues/situations from my past, but at the same time is allowing me to explore my thoughts on my shifting world and chart some new paths.
I have noticed I get into a reading slump when life slumps. The fuller and busier my life is, the more energy I have, the more easily I'm able to lock into reading. The less I have going on, the more quickly I am bored with books. I also have noticed an inability to focus during these times. Sounds counter-intuitive, I guess, but I thrive when I have more going on. I also have a difficult time DNF-ing a book because, thanks to my perfectionist qualities, I almost feel as if I'm failing in part, so I've powered through some really bad books in my life. What has helped me get out of my slump is to get active in various ways. I've started my Substack, am working on starting a podcast with friends, walk/run daily; I usually have family stuff going on once a week. By doing this, it makes me want to reach for my book at night or in the morning because I have more energy. However, it didn't happen for me overnight and there are still days where I struggle a bit. I guess that's just part of me still finding my footing.
Christa, this means a lot, thank you for sharing all of it. What you said about slumping when life slumps is exactly the thing, and the way you put it is even sharper than how I said it in the piece. The energy feeds the energy, and an empty calendar somehow makes the book feel heavier instead of lighter.
And the perfectionist DNF guilt, oof. I powered through so many bad books for the same reason before I finally let myself quit one. Walking away from a book you are not enjoying is a skill, not a failure, and it took me way too long to believe that too.
I also just started my Substack, so I am right there in the figuring-it-out part with you. It helps more than you know to hear someone else is in the same spot and still showing up for it.
I went through something similar. Thought it was just my kids getting older and peri/menopause. Turns out I have a whole host of autonomic things going on! I agree with you so much that for readers, a slump or DNFs can be your first clue that something deeper is going on.
Oh Lindsey, that's a whole layer I didn't even get into, and you're right that it belongs in this conversation. I was writing about the emotional and life stuff, but the body keeps its own score too, and a slump can absolutely be the first flag that something physical is off. Thank you for naming the part I missed.
Everyone has a different path. But you got the most important part here. If you notice a change - listen!
Thank you for writing this because I'm going through the exact same thing! My son moved out three years ago, I'm single, my job ended in December 2025, and I suddenly have so much more time than I ever thought I would in 30 years. The only things that have stuck for me, too, are reading and writing. Writing is forcing me to confront issues/situations from my past, but at the same time is allowing me to explore my thoughts on my shifting world and chart some new paths.
I have noticed I get into a reading slump when life slumps. The fuller and busier my life is, the more energy I have, the more easily I'm able to lock into reading. The less I have going on, the more quickly I am bored with books. I also have noticed an inability to focus during these times. Sounds counter-intuitive, I guess, but I thrive when I have more going on. I also have a difficult time DNF-ing a book because, thanks to my perfectionist qualities, I almost feel as if I'm failing in part, so I've powered through some really bad books in my life. What has helped me get out of my slump is to get active in various ways. I've started my Substack, am working on starting a podcast with friends, walk/run daily; I usually have family stuff going on once a week. By doing this, it makes me want to reach for my book at night or in the morning because I have more energy. However, it didn't happen for me overnight and there are still days where I struggle a bit. I guess that's just part of me still finding my footing.
Christa, this means a lot, thank you for sharing all of it. What you said about slumping when life slumps is exactly the thing, and the way you put it is even sharper than how I said it in the piece. The energy feeds the energy, and an empty calendar somehow makes the book feel heavier instead of lighter.
And the perfectionist DNF guilt, oof. I powered through so many bad books for the same reason before I finally let myself quit one. Walking away from a book you are not enjoying is a skill, not a failure, and it took me way too long to believe that too.
I also just started my Substack, so I am right there in the figuring-it-out part with you. It helps more than you know to hear someone else is in the same spot and still showing up for it.