Slow Reader

I admit that I'm a slow reader, in both my languages. I always have been, and I've always felt guilty for being so thanks to the school system. It takes me longer to grasp passages of text than "normal" readers. That said, as I read, I hear, see, feel, taste, smell words, voices, worlds... In other words I absorb what I read as though I'm savoring vintage wine. As you read this, you're probably like, "so what?" I get you. My point is that I'm now no longer embarrassed or ashamed for being slow and taking my time -- contrary to what my teachers, peers, speed reading courses, and even parents essentially accusing me of being stupid or "suffering from a learning handicap". I hated tests for years... reading fast under pressure, and then failing miserably. It left me feeling as though I'd never make it anywhere in life, especially in the big fish eats little fish capitalist world. I refuse to give in and let myself get run down by that. It may take me forever to finish a book or to mentally sort out the newspaper article I just read, but for what it's worth... The worlds that I've visited (and in two tongues!) have added so much to and shaped me. It's just such a bummer that I had to wait to finish school, and university, and wait ten years to shake that trauma just to realize that.

5 Comments

Post a Comment

Slow cooker

Jan 14, 2022 at 4:46pm

I love this confession. You're awesome-- way to stick it to the man!

Number one thing I've taught my boys is don't take school too seriously or the opinions and grades that teachers give you. Of course be respectful and do your best...but not to base your self worth on it. Most learning happens outside of school anyway. One teacher gave my son a low mark in french not because of any wrong answers but because his colouring was poor. Like wtf?

I'm someone who tends to read fast but it isn't a marker of intellect, I can assure you! Tonight, I will attempt to savour my novel like a fine wine...what a lovely picture. Cheers.

10 3Rating: +7

come on

Jan 14, 2022 at 9:48pm

what a tease!
what's your second language?

1 3Rating: -2

Yes

Jan 16, 2022 at 8:53am

I started reading a lot in Grade 1, but newspapers and magazines, not many books. My Dad and I spread the morning papers out and read them over breakfast every day. I had trouble focusing with books. In grade 5 the teacher put a paper race track on the wall with little stick-on sheep. Every time you read a book you moved ahead to the finish line. Mine didn't move, so I got the "black sheep" icon instead, used for shaming kids who didn't read. I ended up being a Librarian.

6 1Rating: +5

northislandgal

Jan 16, 2022 at 12:57pm

Good for you! This makes me happy for you, reading is my jam and slow, fast none of THAT matters just the joy you get from it!

3 1Rating: +2

Wow

Jan 31, 2022 at 4:45pm

To experience the world as you do ! I suppose there's the two dualities and you've managed to finally embrace the latter.. I am the same, returning to university after 10 years of anxiety... But now ive embraced that part of me. It shapes and magnifies the experiences I have as well, but to just control it. At the end of the day it's all about what our brains focus attention to.. changes perspective and increases gratefulness. So proud of you!

2 1Rating: +1

Join the Discussion

What's your name?