Why I Can’t Read in Public Transport (No Matter How Hard I Try)

I Hate Reading in the Haos

Photo by Bo Kim on Unsplash

Many times, I’ve gotten on a bus or a train, book in hand, hoping this would be the day I make some good progress. Try to go all the way to the end this time. No, I never end up doing it.

Most people would like reading on buses or trains in theory, but it doesn’t always go as smoothly in reality. To me, it’s very random, off-putting and clunky.

I just don’t think I can go along with it for the following reasons:

I Get Dizzy Just Thinking About It

Let’s start with the obvious: motion sickness. The second my eyes lock onto a page while the vehicle’s in motion, my stomach flips. It’s like my brain and body go to war.

I try to focus on a paragraph, but it starts wobbling like I’m reading on a boat during a storm. Before I knew it, I was queasy, sweaty, and questioning every life decision that brought me to that seat.

So yeah! No epic fantasy journey is worth an actual headache.

The Noise is Next-Level Distracting

One guy is always making phone calls over the rush hour crowd like he’s trying out for a dramatic part. Or a baby waking up with surround sound.

Another train that needs to make a loud screech every time it passes a bend is one of them. Noise-canceling headphones didn’t work for me unless I blasted the sounds of a thunderstorm.

Whenever things are going well with my reading, a push-outside adventure is always there to take me along.

Personal Space? What’s That?

There’s nothing like being crammed between strangers to kill your literary vibe. Half the time, I don’t even have enough elbow room to hold the book open properly.

And if I’m standing? Forget it. I’ve tried the one-hand-on-the-rail, one-hand-holding-my-phone method. It never ends well.

I either drop the phone, nearly fall over, or accidentally elbow someone in the face. Not my finest moments.

Photo by Regina Bordon on Unsplash

I’m Constantly Paranoid About Missing My Stop

Somehow, my brain declines to rely on the app or an alarm and insists on using the anxiety method. While reading a suspenseful scene, I’ll suddenly worry: Are we already at my stop?

I have to try to find the street signs above the crowd or over someone’s shoulder, and then I forget what I was reading. It stresses me out, requires more effort, and I don’t have as much fun with the story.

There’s Just Too Much Going On Around Me

My mind is easily drawn away from tasks by any kind of distraction. A person holding a cat on a leash. Gotta stare. Nice artwork painted outside? Gotta admire.

Is someone yelling and talking about their ex? I am listening to you without your knowledge. I couldn’t keep my attention in a moving zoo. The advertisements covering every surface become very interesting when I am reading a book.

So What Do I Do Instead?

These days, I’ve accepted that reading on public transport just isn’t for me. I listen to podcasts, people-watch, or scroll aimlessly through my camera roll instead. It’s weirdly comforting. Maybe reading is something I’ll save for the couch, the café, or anywhere that doesn’t rock me into nausea.

To those of you who can read through all of this chaos? I admire you. Seriously. You’re built differently. As for me, I’ll be over here, missing plot twists but never my stop.