Anika Week 11: Literature or Lifestyle
I have often been described by my friends as slightly delusional, or overly optimistic. I cannot seem to remember a time when I was not this way, as my default mindset is “hope for the best, prepare for the worst.” However, recently, I found myself pondering why I am this way.
Well, for starters, I read. A lot. This may seem entirely unrelated, but hear me out. For the most part, I read cutesy romance novels with no real conflicts, simply a happy story of a couple falling in love and living happily ever after— I surround myself with such positivity in the form of the literature I consume that it filters into my ideologies.
One of my friends also reads quite a bit, but the novels she reads are much more grounded and realistic, with the issues that life throws at people included in their fullest and as important parts of the plot, rather than momentarily involved then mysteriously gone as they do in the books I read. This may have influenced her ideologies, as she has a much more grounded approach to life, but is optimistic when it is realistic enough.
The books that we read can have an influence on our lives in other ways as well, as reading can reverse the effects of “doomscrolling,” which so many of us have been discussing in our blog posts recently. According to this article, reading stories causes our brains to think in a cause-and-effect manner, expanding our attention spans, so if you are ever faced with the decision of whether to read or doomscroll, try reading the book.
Hey Anika! While I may not be as avid a reader as you are, I do love watching TV shows and movies, and your reflection on how what media we consume affects us is most definitely true. When I was younger and watched optimistic cartoon shows, I often believed that I had the power to do anything with the right friends and often the right technology and superpower on my side. As I grew up and watched shows that reflected the realities of the world, especially in the anime genre, my ideas and views of the world changed, and I only came back to think about how these have shaped me after reading your blog. Shows that reflect the deeper insides of the world through a pessimistic view are often the kinds of shows I watch now, and these have really altered my jolly and trusting personality as a child to someone more skeptical of the world. Your choice of exploring your friend’s perspective in comparison to yours was an effective choice at emphasizing your point, making this blog an insightful read!
ReplyDeleteHello, Anika! I definitely relate to your perspective on books and how it has the ability to completely shift our worldviews! It’s fascinating to see how different genres yield different perspectives and how what we read influences how we tackle problems in our day-to-day lives. I’ve always gravitated toward fantasy novels myself, but, until now, I never noticed how they impact my outlook on the world. It makes so much sense though that in surrounding yourself with positivity through your reading you also craft and shape your mindset. Literature seems to be a tool that influences us in how we navigate our lives. I hadn’t considered the connection between reading and “doomscrolling” either, but it makes perfect sense that stories help train our brains to think more intentionally. The next time I end up lost in an endless scroll, I just might try picking up a book!
ReplyDeleteHi Anika. I have never really considered the effects of the books I read on how I am as a person. Since we're sharing cringey stories here, I used to read a ton of fantasy. I think the most notable for me was the crazily long Realm of the Elderlings series by Robin Hobb which was super depressing . That kind of makes sense because I am kind of pessimistic most of the time, but that might just be a side effect of going to school. I did not consider that reading can reverse doomscrolling but it does make sense. Your blog has inspired my to pick up reading again (once I have time of course). I wish my Kindle wasn't broken though.
ReplyDeleteHello, Anika! I agree that books can have a significant impact on our perspectives. This is because humans by nature tend to absorb everything around us, whether it be the shows we watch or the music we listen to or the books that we read. I think that the type of content that someone surrounds themselves with can start to influence their character, which you mention in your blog. I also enjoy how you included a solution to fight against doomscrolling; to read! I enjoy reading comic books, and I agree that it definitely boosts your attention span and is a much better alternative to spending the day on your phone. Keep up the great work!
ReplyDeleteHello Anika! I agree with you that "doomscrolling" has taken a very big chunk of time and we have been talking a lot about it in our blogs. I also agree with you that books can have a significant impact on our lives and is interesting to see how different genre's impact how we see everyday things and how we feel towards things. I personally enjoy reading more nonfiction books as they includes facts that stick with me for a long time and are typically pretty interesting. You bog has made me reconsider reading as a hobby and when I end up on a endless scroll on my phone, I'll consider reading a book. Thank You for sharing!
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