Geetright t1_j6jeb50 wrote on January 30, 2023 at 7:26 PM

Reply to comment by icarusrising9 in The 10 Inalienable Rights of the Reader by swedish_librarian

I appreciate that, mate. It's something I struggled with on my 20's and early 30's. I always felt compelled to be out in the world with people, socializing and stuff, but most of the time I really only wanted to be immersed in a good book. Now that I'm married and a little older it doesn't bother me as much. Reading is so much more rewarding than getting drunk or whatever with people. Reading is certainly more challenging on an intellectual level and much more enjoyable!

SonnyCalzone t1_j6k0hvi wrote on January 30, 2023 at 9:43 PM

If I could exchange some (not all, but some for sure) of those countless hours I squandered during my 20s and 30s with socializing and being on stages with the bands, I would easily do so, especially if it means that I would have enjoyed reading books more often.

Geetright t1_j6k1af0 wrote on January 30, 2023 at 9:48 PM

Agreed, it's really a quality of life issue and the misconceptions of youth that the quality of life is all about being with other people, doing people things, but that's not necessarily the case... as we find out only by doing those things and experiencing a poorer quality of life. Youth truly is wasted on the young, as they say!

SonnyCalzone t1_j6k4iyd wrote on January 30, 2023 at 10:08 PM

Well-said. I'm much happier solo than I ever thought possible during my 20s and 30s. It also helps that I have no spouse, no kids, no pets, few distractions and even fewer responsibilities.

Character_Vapor t1_j6ndi8y wrote on January 31, 2023 at 3:47 PM

>Reading is so much more rewarding than getting drunk or whatever with people

Getting drunk and reading is the best of both worlds. Tucked into a corner with a glass of port and a book in my neighborhood bar on a (non-busy) weeknight? Nothing better.