Why I started reading fiction again

Instead of forcing myself to read self-improvement books as I should be...

Hi, long time no see

HELLO everyone, I know it's over a year since I wrote on this blog. It is amazing to be back here typing out my thoughts on this blog post! Before we dive into the title, I'll just give you a small update on what I've been up to over the past year in order to explain my absence.

I began my National Service in Singapore on January 2025. After completing my firefighter training in the first 4 months, I've become a junior firefighter at an SCDF Fire Station, where I have been serving for almost 10 months at this point. Meanwhile, I've also spent my time on completing a half-biathlon, participating in a swim meet, getting my driving license, and writing an absolute TON of essays for university applications.

How hobbies have mutated from voluntary to compulsory

Now that all the niceties have been done with, let's talk about why I decided to discuss the topic of READING. Reading is a hobby, like many other activities. Hobbies are meant to energize and uplift people outside of "routine" work. Hobbies serve as a "voluntary" foil to the "compulsory" nature of work-life. In simple words, hobbies are an ACTIVE behaviour we WANT to do, not feel like we're being forced to.

But that's not how we've been treating hobbies anymore - especially within the realm of self-improvement. Hobbies have now become variables: Goals, milestones, comparisons, profit, et cet.

"I have to earn at least 5K a month doing Youtube videos"

"I'm going to make sure my photographs gain at least 10K likes on Instagram"

"If I don't bench 315lbs by this December, I'm gay,".

Any of these resonate with you? For me it was: "This year, I'm going to read books on psychology, neuroscience, investment and self-improvement every day for at least an hour, because these topics are beneficial and reading is a good habit on its own,".

The above statement was actually one of my 2025 resolutions. And it absolutely went haywire. I wanted to build a reading habit because of the ability to gain new information, improve cognitive function and heighten my vocabulary skills.

But by FORCING myself to read books I thought I should be reading (I thought were good for me), I accidentally fell into depriving myself of what I WANTED to read. When my motivation was purely EXTRINSIC (being able to flex to others that I read books on complex topics, reading a quintillion books a year) instead of being INTRINSIC (I like to read, because it's fun and I find myself in stories), I couldn't keep up the habit.

EXTRINSIC VS INTRINSIC MOTIVATION

I'm going to go off-tangent here for a moment. Look, I'm NOT saying don't read non-fiction books on self-improvement or psychology or journalism. Because I voraciously read these genres too. But I read them ONLY when I NEED to. I read books on time management and productivity when work starts to overwhelm me. I read about cognitive function when I find myself unable to think clearly for an extended period. I didn't read these books because they'd make me appear "well-read" and "posh" - that's a very extrinisic and shallow source of motivation.

Treat reading non-fiction and self-improvement books like MEDICINE - only consume them when you need to. For example, if you find yourself thinking you'd like to build some long-term wealth and develop healthy financial habits, ONLY then should you be reading Rich Dad Poor Dad. If you read financial books without any such internal need, sure you might gain financial knowledge. But I'll bet my life savings (25 bucks, inlcuding tax) you'll forget about what you read and not apply a single tip in the book - because right now you have NO NEED to.

That's why for the past few months I've gone back to reading fantasy fiction (Wheel of Time is seriously good yall, try it). I barely have to force myself to pick up my Kindle to read everday - the stories I read are so engaging I find wanting to immerse myself in them repeatedly (intrinsic motivation). Besides for those who want to build a reading habit - reading fiction is AS GOOD AS (and sometimes more beneficial) than reading non-fiction. Fiction has been scientifically proven to help boost emotional intelligence, creativity, visual imagination skills, and reduce depression. Here's a blog explaining this for your persual: https://kaylmoody.com/benefits-reading-fiction/

IN A NUTSHELL

Kurzgesagt, habits are only SUSTAINABLE and LONG-LASTING when:

1. You like what you're doing - there's no end goal, you find joy in doing it just because, that's it.

2. There's a STRONG, URGENT need that requires resolving - crumbling financial life, constantly feeling busy.

So with 2026 having rolled in fully, I'm sure some of you are trying hard to maintain habits that will move you toward your new year goals. If you feel like you're fighting an ever-going uphill battle continuing your habits - maybe (just maybe) it's not a disipline issue.

It's a fuel issue.

Is the motivation fuelling you EXTRINSIC (milestones, awards, public perception) or INTRINSIC (Feeling present while doing it, purposeful, fulfilled at helping others). Asking yourself this one simple question can help you decide which habits are going to stay, and which ones must leave - helping you feel more inspired everyday with your habits.

For all my fellow Chinese people, I wish you a FANTABULOUS Chinese New Year filled with luck and prosperity ahead. Rooting for your best year ahead 🤞.

Out and over,

Arshath.