Two Books, Zero Guilt: Embracing the Post-Vacation Reading Slump

Ah, the best-laid plans of mice and bookworms. At the start of this month, I, with my characteristic optimism, set a goal: four books. A perfectly reasonable, achievable number, I thought. Little did I know, the universe, in the form of an incredibly busy vacation and a subsequent need for intense post-vacation hibernation, had other plans.

I’m back, slightly less of a zombie than I was last week, and ready to confess: I only managed to read two books. And you know what? I’m perfectly okay with that.

Let’s rewind. The month started strong. I was on track, devouring pages, and feeling that familiar thrill of immersing myself in new worlds. Then, vacation hit. It was a fantastic experience but it was also…intense.

Every day was packed with activities, from early morning excursions to late-night dinners. My brain was constantly processing new information, my body was adjusting to different time zones, and my social battery was perpetually running low. In the midst of all that, reading, which usually provides solace, felt like an added burden.

I tried. I really did. I packed a few books, hoping to steal a few moments of quiet amidst the chaos. But the reality was, by the time I collapsed into bed at night, the only thing I had the energy for was sleep.

And then, I returned home. The much-anticipated “relaxing” phase. But instead of diving back into my TBR pile, I found myself craving…nothing. Absolute, blissful nothingness.

The post-vacation exhaustion was real. My mind felt foggy, my body ached, and I just couldn't bring myself to focus on anything, let alone a book. I needed time to decompress, to process the whirlwind of experiences, and to simply exist without any demands.

So, I took a break. A real, honest-to-goodness break. No guilt, no pressure, just pure, unadulterated rest.

And during that break, I realized something important: reading goals are not set in stone.

They are guidelines, not rigid rules. Life happens. Vacations happen. Exhaustion happens. And sometimes, the best thing you can do is to listen to your body and give yourself permission to rest.

Instead of beating myself up for not meeting my reading goal, I chose to celebrate the two books I did manage to read. They were both fantastic reads, and I enjoyed them immensely.

Here’s what this experience taught me:

• Flexibility is key: Life is unpredictable. Be prepared to adjust your goals as needed.
• Quality over quantity: It's better to read a few books that you truly enjoy than to force yourself to read a large number that you don't.
• Rest is essential for creativity and focus: Taking a break from reading actually helped me appreciate it more when I finally picked up a book again.
• Self-compassion is crucial: Don't be too hard on yourself. We all have days, weeks, or even months when we're not as productive as we'd like to be.
• The joy of returning: After a break, returning to reading feels like rediscovering a beloved friend. The anticipation is a wonderful feeling.

I’m now slowly easing back into my reading routine. I’m choosing books that I’m genuinely excited about, and I’m allowing myself to read at my own pace. I’m also reminding myself that it’s okay to take breaks when I need them.

So, if you’ve ever felt guilty about not meeting your reading goals, remember that you’re not alone. It’s okay to take a break. It’s okay to prioritize rest. And it’s okay to simply enjoy the journey of reading, without any pressure.

Have you ever experienced a post-vacation reading slump? How do you handle it? Share your tips and experiences in the comments below! And most importantly, remember to be kind to yourself.