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Can You Tune Out Distractions While Reading?
I can tune out just about anything but my kids brawling, then I have to get up and give them a standing eight-count.
i'm an experienced public transportation-reader. i can also tune out most music as long as it isn't the kind that makes me want to sing or dance, but not tv or conversations i'm supposed to be participating in, but depending on the conversation i can do both.
I can tune out most things. I used to read at the doctor's while getting shots. "Here's my arm. Do as you will. Let me know when it's over."Music is actually the thing I have the hardest time tuning out - I'm too attuned to it. I pick up lyrics and bass lines and just get hopelessly distracted.
A lot of it depends on what I'm reading, but I find it easier to block out noise and distractions away from home.
I tend to do most of my reading while on the light rail to work, while listening to my iPod. The only way I'll get distracted if there's someone beautiful to look at, because there's something about the light rail around here that attracts some homely-looking riders.
I get a little distracted on public transit since I'm TOO able to tune out and afraid I'll miss my stop.
When I was in grad school, I could read for hours and not notice the passing of time - or trains or automobiles or random clown cars. Now I feel like I am distracted by everything when I'm trying to read. When I get settled in, though, I can still miss out on most conversation, music, trucks hitting house, and other noises - just not as often or as long as when I was in school.
I can tune out people, autos, ambient sounds, but I can not tune out music, or the TV and so at home I use earplugs if I'm in the living room and the TV is on.
I am SOOOO bad (read: good) about tuning out distractions, it bugs my coworkers and boss. I had a boss who'd stand in front of my desk and wait for me to finish what I was doing (spreadsheet, typically) to talk to me. She said she was very amused that I had that level of concentration/focus. I think I picked up on doing that while working on the news desk... phones ringing, 9 televisions on at the same time, scanners picking up local, county and state frequencies, and people yelling across the newsroom at each other...
Now my coworkers will hover when they want to get my full attention.
I have space issues, too... as in stay out of my bubble! I suspect that's why the hovering is effective in getting me out of "the zone."
Hovering drives me crazy! My m-i-l hovers. I know she's trying to help, but she seems to hover in the exact path I need to take.
I've always wanted to be able to hover. Oh wait ... never mind.
If I'm reading something good, I can tune out just about anything. Doing other tasks, though, I can't tune out the TV.
I can not tune out music, tv or kids.
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Sally wrote: "Clark: is "standing eight count" code for a walloping?"
No. I tried that once and it didn't work. I felt like a shit afterwards.
No. I tried that once and it didn't work. I felt like a shit afterwards.
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You should eat some of those cookies you made yesterday, Sally.
Sally wrote: "I knnow, I know. I was trying to be funny. Pregnant lady needs food or her brain doesn't work right."
Actually, it was funny.
Ah, they're just being kids. It's part of the job description, but man...sometimes I feel like running a warm bath and tapping a vein.
Actually, it was funny.
Ah, they're just being kids. It's part of the job description, but man...sometimes I feel like running a warm bath and tapping a vein.
I tune out everything when I read,from TV to music to conversations. The only sound that makes me angry and not comfortable is flowing water in kitchen.
When I was younger I could watch tv or listen to music when I read. Now I need quiet. And I fall asleep when reading. I used to be able to read into the wee hours of the morning without even noticing the time. Does that mean I'm getting old?
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I have been in a book rut for the last couple of years. The one I'm reading right now is pretty good so far. The Privilege of the Sword
About the only thing I can't tune out while I'm reading is my dog. She doesn't make noise but I can feel her staring at me sometimes. If she really wants to get my attention, she'll knock the book out of my hand or push it shut with her nose.
Mine has a similar strategy Dan, has perfected the stare unnervingly well and follows on with pushing his nose in at my elbow. Resistance is futile.
The better the book, the easier to block out distractions. However, I used to play music in the background while reading and home, and now, like Jaimie, I prefer quiet to read.I used to sit up late and read; since my last eye surgery two years ago, I can only read two or three hours max without a break.
Looks like Larry is right--getting older!
I'm really good at it. I had to stop reading while my wife is awake as she'll talk to me for like half an hour and I hear nothing. Problem is I answer her but not on a conscience level at all proven by her asking me what I just said yes to and me going..umm....
Welcome to TC twistedZ!
I read on the bus without much problem. I can read in bed while my husband is watching some television usually. Last night he started messing with his phone and these random, loud, annoying ring tones were driving me crazy. Also, he's not much of a reader so sometimes he will talk to me while I'm reading and I have to stop, ask him to repeat his question, then get back to the reading.I fell sound asleep last night with my book on my chest. I woke up later and my book was on the floor and my husband had turned off the lights. When I was younger I could also read until 2am regularly.
I'm with Melinda, I actually enjoy reading on public transport but if theres noise going on at home its a definate no no....unless I lock myself in a cupboard with a glass of smooth red!
I get really hyperfocused when I'm into a good book, which drives my DH crazy. Usually I read on the back patio so they know I'm in my reading zone and to leave me alone. I can't read with the TV on or if music is anything but mellow. It makes my brain hurt like it's being torn in two different directions. What drives me nuts is when you're into a particularly great section of the book and everyone plus their dog and cat and lemur keep interrupting you with questions or comments. That will bring out the hissing cat in me for sure. Hssssst!
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It took forever to train Sweeter that I honestly do not hear him if he just starts talking to me while I'm reading. Sometimes I tune in halfway through whatever and try to guess the first part of what he said, but this rarely works.
So I have to ask: "what was the first part of that?" and he STILL gets annoyed, "aren't you listening to me?"
No, I'm not. I'm reading. You really have to say Sally. Sally. Sally. And wait until I'm looking at you before you can know that any of what you're saying is going to go in.
Sally, my DH does the same thing! I wonder if this is a common book-reader characteristic. The non-book-readers don't seem to relate to it.
I usually read until 3AM. If the book is really interesting I will stay awake until 5:30AM( then my mom wakes up, so I pretend that I was sleeping).
Knarik wrote: "I usually read until 3AM. If the book is really interesting I will stay awake until 5:30AM( then my mom wakes up, so I pretend that I was sleeping)."To be young again.
Here's something that bugs me re: being interrupted while I'm reading. This is a huge pet peeve. I will be in a public place, deeply involved in what I'm reading, and a stranger will walk up and ask me for directions or how I'm enjoying my book.WTF? Go talk to someone NOT reading. I don't know you. I want to read my book. And if I'm on the bus, one of the reasons I read is to maintain my privacy.
I find that for me music sometimes helps me focus on what i read and helps me remember better. I can tune out TV usually and just about anything really. But all this usually depends on if I'm in to the book I'm reading. The latest I've stayed up reading was like 2:00 am.
I've learned that when my kids are reading and I ask them something they're not blowing me off, they're just reading. You'd think I'd have figured that out earlier.
sometimes people talk to me more when i'm reading. they seem to think the book will be a good conversation subject. i'd rather just read, do they think i start reading so they have something to talk to me about?
Youndyc wrote: "When I was in grad school, I could read for hours and not notice the passing of time - or trains or automobiles or random clown cars. Now I feel like I am distracted by everything when I'm trying ..."I was the same way but as I get older I am less and less able to tune other things out. I had a friend who said I should never have kids because I hate having lots of noise, especially having the t.v. on when we're having a conversation. I can't tune it out and I get distracted by it easily. (I don't tune out my kid's noise. They have appropriate places and times to make lots of noise, such as times when I participate in the noise.)
In college I used to need to study in public because I couldn't study if it were too quiet. Now I'm the opposite. I'm only 42, though, what's it going to be like when I'm 80? Will I need to read in a sound-proofed box? Oh wait, I'll probably be deaf anyway.
I can tune out anything when I am reading and/or watching something - if I have made the decision to do so. I find it really annoying that an adult would try to initiate conversation with me while my attention is focused on something else.
I got that a lot during school, I'd be reading and someone would try to talk to me and I would be like what did you say?
janine wrote: "sometimes people talk to me more when i'm reading. they seem to think the book will be a good conversation subject. i'd rather just read, do they think i start reading so they have something to tal..."I hate that!!
"Whatcha reading?"
"A book."::not looking up::
"Oh yah? What's it about?"
::sighing, holding up book so irritating person can peruse cover::
"Yeah but what's it about? Is it any good? I read this book once, it was about jsbdjueiwskxnuhf..."
::wearily laying head down on table, slips into coma::
Yes, please get my attention first before you start talking to me. I'm like Sally that way.And if I'm reading in a coffee shop, I'm not trying to pick anyone up. Honest.
If someone needs to know what time it is, I don't mind if they ask me even if I'm reading. People who read are less likely to be scary.
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Terminalcoffee
Books mentioned in this topic
The Sex Club (other topics)Secrets to Die for (other topics)
The Privilege of the Sword (other topics)
I was thinking about this today because I can tune out distractions well in public...ever since I rode the subway I've been able to go into my own world while reading outside the house. However, at home I can't handle music, television, etc. with much success.
What can you tune out and what can't you tune out while reading? What distractions drive you crazy? What can you ignore?