I got my husband a pair of really nice headphones for Christmas. It's technically a gaming headset, but can be used for anything really. And the only reason I bought it for him was because he wanted it. But it has become so damn handy. I'm not using it. He is. He's very much into gaming (hence, the gaming headset), but also likes to kick back and watch TV and movies. Well here's the thing, I can't have the TV on while reading. Or music. Or anything really. I get too distracted by what's going on on the screen or I start singing the music in my head and then three pages later, I have no idea what just happened in the book. So he's been using the headphones when he wants to watch TV on the couch next to me while I read. Pure magic, people. I love my marriage.
But all of this got me wondering...I can't be the only person who can't have things going on in the background while I'm reading can I? My sister can watch TV, read a book and talk on the phone to me all at the same time and know exactly what's going on with everything. I swear, she's not human. If I so much as hear a song playing while I'm reading I am instantly distracted from my book and am no longer able to comprehend what I'm reading. I'm talking even if Phil starts humming a song. Yep. That easily distracted.
And TV? Forget it. I can read while Phil plays games, but if the game cuts to a story scene where he's not actually playing and the characters are talking, I'm distracted. I start watching. I don't even know or care what I'm watching, but nonetheless, I'm watching. I don't know why I can't seem to tune it out, but I can't. I am a silent reader all the way. No distractions. No noise. Just me and my book. So I guess that headset was also a gift for me. Sorry not sorry.
What kind of reader are you? Can you read with music/TV going on in the background? How?? Or are you like me and need pretty much completely silence when you read?
If it's music or TV shows, I definitely have a difficult time reading. Pretty much anything with a story distracts me. However, if it's just noise, like on the metro, I've gotten much better at tuning it out. Perhaps it's out of necessity since a busy morning commute may be the only chance I get to read during the day. LOL. You're not alone though!
ReplyDeleteYes. I guess just noise doesn't really distract me. I can read on the metro or if I'm sitting at work on my lunch. But yes, anything with a story and I'm done.
DeleteI really don't have any trouble staying focused. It's probably because I have a 45min commute to work. I encounter crying babies, loud businessmen and the occasional crazy person. I could read through the zombie apocalypse provided I had my machete close by.
ReplyDeleteHaha good for you! Teach me your ways!
DeleteI can read while there's stuff in the background if I'm THAT into the book. It's not as productive as reading without distractions, but it's manageable ;)
ReplyDeleteYes, even if I can get myself to somewhat focus, I still find my attention occasionally pulled away and it takes me a lot longer to read.
DeleteI can read with the TV on, but it has to be turned on low and on a show that I consider a background noise show. Like Friends or Seinfeld or something on HGTV. ~Pam
ReplyDeleteYeah, I can't even do shows like that. Anything with a story just completely distracts me. Lol I'm like I goldfish or something.
DeleteI'm usually okay with music/TV in the background, and can even put up with people's conversations and things but I just cannot if someone turns on the radio to listen to the news. I don't know why! But it's one of the only things that completely distract me from reading.
ReplyDeleteI can usually put up with people's conversations (as long as what they're talking about doesn't interest me), but I cannot deal w/music or TV. News I could probably (maybe) tune out.
DeleteHaha. I can read with music on. In fact, I need it. It gets too quiet otherwise. I can't read with the TV on though. I get distracted very easily. I was trying to read during commercial breaks of a basketball game and couldn't even manage that and I don't care about commercials! LOL. Lately because I get too distracted by everything, I pretty much won't even turn on the TV because I know I'll get sucked into the void.
ReplyDeleteI know! It doesn't matter if I don't care about what's on TV, I still find myself distracted. I've tried reading during commercials as well and the only way I can do it is if I mute the TV. And then I miss it when the show or whatever I'm watching comes back on because I get too sucked into my book. Lol
DeleteI can't read with TV on! Can't split my attention like that. When I read, I like to be in quiet and just READ. I hate when people interrupt me, it makes me irrationally angry. That's why I love reading before bed the best because then I can just stay up late and read uninterrupted. It's so bad for my sleeping habits though and husband is not a fan. haha. So I stopped doing that. but i like my quiet when I read.
ReplyDeleteMe either!! Way too difficult. I also like quiet. Calm. I yell at my husband a lot to put his headphones on while I'm reading bc I can't focus. Lolol. Yeah, I'm the type of person that needs 8 hours of sleep or else I can't function so I try not to read in bed because if I do, I stay up all freaking night.
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