From the outside my existence is boring. I stay inside all day. I don’t go out unless I have to because I’ve been bullied even as an adult for what I look like, so I just never go out to avoid people potentially judging me. I recently moved across the world and aside from my wife who works alot, I have no friends or family. I’m pretty much alone in the universe, tucked away in my corner.
I realized that’s why I read. Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t go out and join a club or volunteer because of the language barrier. And I don’t have a passion that pulls me in like baking, gaming, or playing piano. So if I’m not studying or sitting here letting my mind run wild, I read. It’s like I get to be an observer in other peoples adventures and be entertained while the time passes.
What about you? Why do you read?
I have found that a language barrier can work in your favor. It prevents you from being familiar with a culture. So when you do explore the culture everything seems very novel and exotic, quite the opposite of boring. When you don’t know the language you will always be mystified. Mind you, you might be limited to pop music and subtitled films. I have been studying Spanish for two years and I still cannot read anything more sophisticated than a children’s book.