Introduction

I used to love reading.

During my childhood, I was fortunate enough to be surrounded by a treasure trove of books, thanks to my mother’s job at a publishing company. They might be the reason why I have this non-stopping curiosity I cannot handle even now 🙂

But as I got older, I stopped making time for it. Instead, I spent my time getting things done.

I didn’t realize that not reading was a big mistake. I cannot say it affected my mental health, emotional intelligence, and personal growth. But I truly can say that I wish I could get some important things earlier from books than making lots of mistakes by myself.

This blog is about my journey back to reading (and writing) and what I learned from it.

The hustle and bustle of life left me little time for leisure, and the joy of reading became a distant memory.

At some point, the stacks of unread books that once adorned my shelves were replaced by electronic devices. I always was tech-savvy. My passion for electronic music filled my place with synths and other electronic devices, so there was no time for paper books anymore.

The turning point

My turning point came unexpectedly, with the discovery of a book titled “Game as Business” by Alexey Savchenko. As I delved into its pages, I was astonished to find that it resonated deeply with my professional experiences. It was as though the book had captured the essence of the challenges I faced during my gaming startup days.

My first thought was “Holy crap! If someone showed me this book two years ago my gaming startup time could be so much easier!”. It doesn’t mean that the company itself survives (there were too many non-gaming-related reasons for that), but I definitely could worry less.

“If I got so much from one book, what am I missing in others?” I asked myself. And most importantly, “Why did I ever stop reading in the first place?”.

I still have no question why exactly that happens.

With the flicker of interest reignited, I committed myself to rekindling my reading habit.

While I loved reading fantasy and sci-fi, I started my journey with non-fiction professional books. Non-fiction books are special because they show us many new ideas and facts. They are not just for fun; they help us learn and think in new ways. I took some and read them every so often but without any system approach.

It was… ok, I’d say. But nothing exciting.

Getting the answers

Until I faced a personal crisis.

There were a bunch of reasons stacked on top of each other in a very short period of time, which knocked the ground out from under my feet. I had so many questions and had no one to get answers from. Like many in this situation, I bought some religious books. Likely, I didn’t feel into anything crazy like sect or cult. Instead, I got a nice overview of different approaches of different views on how other people view the world.

I was feeling lost and unsure about many things, so I turned to non-fiction books to try and find some answers

I always have trouble understanding people and their behavior. That’s why I decided to learn some psychology theories about how the brain works to help me get started. Soon I understood my type of interaction and how it is seen by people of other types. I learned how to communicate better, understand how others feel, and resolve problems. These skills helped me get along better with my family, friends, and coworkers.

Reading about psychology, spirituality, and personal development has been a transformative experience for me. Through the books I’ve read, I’ve gained a deeper understanding of myself and the world around me. In fact, I would say that I’ve become more peaceful and accepting of life’s challenges as a result of my reading.

A book about meditation allowed me to understand the general point of it. While descriptions of different techniques lead me to form a stable daily meditation habit.

As I learned about these topics, I found new ways to manage negative thoughts and feelings. For instance, I discovered techniques to release things that were holding me back and to take care of myself for better emotional health.

It’s nice to know that the issues you’re facing are not unique, yet already sorted and systematized into systems with solutions by smart people decades ago. You need just read it and take some actions to turn them into life.

What I found particularly surprising was that the majority of books featured in lists such as “Top X books you must read” actually held up to their hype.

For instance, I was thoroughly impressed by the insights I gained from reading “Atomic Habits” by James Clear. It highlights the importance of small daily habits in achieving long-term success.

Similarly, “The Flow” by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi was also a highly engaging read. This text talks about being able to concentrate and enjoy what you’re doing without struggling. This is called “flow” and it’s important for doing your best work.

In “Drive”, Daniel Pink argues that traditional motivators like rewards and punishments don’t work for long-term change. Pink’s ideas resonate with me as I see exactly the same working alongside artists and other creatives.

Combining together those three I got a straightforward approach to forming new healthy and productive habits. This is too powerful to underestimate it.

There is an idea that you’re “an average of 5 people you talk to the most”. If you’re like me – living under a rock with little social interactions, getting the world’s top intelligent minds into your top-5 I believe is a great idea. It will definitely affect the way you think in a positive way.

New habit

I soon discovered that my passion for reading was only matched by my newfound love for writing. The more books I consumed, the more I yearned to express my own thoughts, ideas, and experiences through the written word. Especially in English, as my second language.

Writing has become a way for me to express my thoughts to others in a rewarding way. Writing not only allows me to express myself but also gives me the chance to honor the authors who have had a big impact on my life. Through my texts, I am able to share my journey with a wider audience, and hopefully inspire others to embark on their own literary adventures.

This also lead me to the idea of running a small business, based on writing. But I’ll talk about it in another blog 🙂

Conclusion

I’m grateful for the impact that non-fiction books have had on my life.

Through my journey back to reading, I have rediscovered the magic that lies within the pages of books. They have become gateways to self-discovery, personal growth, and profound knowledge.

As with the first book — I’m a little sad that I got all this information only now, instead of 10 years ago. That would change so many things for the better ones.

I believe that reading AT LEAST one book per month is a must for anyone. The effect it brings is too good to ignore. I wish I could form this habit with my kids too when they’ll be born. And I wish I can upload them directly to your brain 🙂

If you find yourself in a similar position, neglecting the joy of reading in pursuit of productivity, I urge you to pause and reconsider.

Explore the world of books, let them motivate you, and lead you on a journey of personal growth and understanding. As the saying goes, “The more you read, the more knowledge you gain. The more you learn, the more opportunities you’ll have.”

Happy reading!