Weekend without screens: Critical reading as a path to free decision-making

Screen-Free Weekend: Critical Reading as a Path to Free Decision-Making

In today's world, where screens are a part of our lives, critical reading has become one of the most important tools that help us develop our thinking and ability to make free decisions. A screen-free weekend is an ideal opportunity to focus on reading a book that enriches us and helps us better understand the world around us.

In this blog, we will explore how a screen-free weekend and critical reading can influence our personality and professional growth. We will cover tips on books, recommendations for activities, and fun games that promote critical thinking and enhance our ability to analyze information.

Why is Critical Reading Important?

Critical reading allows us not only to receive information but also to analyze, evaluate, and interpret it. In this way, we become informed individuals capable of making decisions based on facts and our own judgment. Critical reading teaches us how to ask questions, recognize biases, and evaluate arguments.

Screen-Free Weekend: How to Do It?

If you decide to spend a weekend screen-free, here are some tips on how to prepare for it:

Plan your reading time: Choose a few hours that you will dedicate to reading. You can also plan specific books that you want to read.
Create a pleasant environment: Find a quiet place where you can concentrate and prepare comfortable seating. Create an atmosphere that encourages you to read.
Take a notebook with you: Write down notes, thoughts, and questions that come to mind while reading. This will strengthen your critical thinking.
Experiment with different genres: Don't be afraid to try new genres and authors. Every book offers a different perspective on the world and enriches your thinking.
Form a reading group: Invite friends to join you. Reading together and discussing books can be very enriching.

Recommended Books for a Screen-Free Weekend

Here are some books that might serve as inspiration:

“Thinking, Fast and Slow” by Daniel Kahneman - A book that explores two systems of thinking and their impact on decision-making.
“Critical Thinking” by Richard Paul and Linda Elder - A textbook that teaches you how to improve your critical thinking and analysis.
“Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind” by Yuval Noah Harari - A fascinating book that offers a broad perspective on the development of human civilization.
“The War of Art” by Steven Pressfield - A book that deals with overcoming internal obstacles and developing creativity.
“On the Road” by Jack Kerouac - A classic work that explores the search for freedom and identity.

Games and Activities to Support Critical Thinking

In addition to reading, there are many games and activities that can help you develop critical thinking:

Debates - Organize a debate on current topics. Divide into teams and argue for or against a given opinion.
Puzzles and Logic Games - Playing logic games and solving puzzles is a great way to strengthen analytical thinking.
Reading and Analyzing Articles - Choose articles from various sources and discuss their content, arguments, and assumptions.
Creating Your Own Stories - Write short stories or essays on predetermined topics and share them with others.
Mind Mapping - Create a mind map on the topic you have read about. This will help you visualize information and its relationships.

Personal and Professional Growth Through Critical Reading

Critical reading is the foundation of personal and professional growth. It allows us to broaden our horizons, improve our communication, and decision-making. If we strive to enhance our professional skills, critical reading can provide us with new perspectives and approaches that we can apply in our work.

To achieve success in a career, it is important to be able to analyze situations, recognize opportunities, and adapt to changes. Critical reading teaches us how to adapt and grow in a dynamic environment.

Conclusion

A screen-free weekend is a great opportunity to focus on critical reading and personal growth. We hope that our recommendations and tips will help you create your own weekend program that enriches you and strengthens your ability to make free and informed decisions.

Get personalized recommendations for your growth – choose your answers

Imagine reading an article that strongly contradicts your beliefs. How do you react initially? I get unsettled and search for what truth there might be in it.
At first, I can't believe it, but I keep reading.
I immediately think of counterarguments in my mind.
I feel disgust and stop reading.
I'm intrigued – I want to understand how the author thinks.

In the text, a "study" is mentioned, but its source is not provided. What will you do? I'll try to verify the information elsewhere.
I will lightly question the credibility, but I will keep reading.
I ignore it – I am only interested in the main idea.
I tend to believe if the claim sounds logical.
I will start to be cautious – manipulations often hide right here.

Imagine that the author of the text uses strong emotional expressions. How does that affect you? I will start to be more cautious.
I will unconsciously let myself be influenced by it.
I feel that it is manipulation and it discourages me.
It creates sympathy or aversion in me – depending on the topic.
I will focus more on the facts than on the tone.

When reading a text that appears objective but you can sense a subtle manipulation, what will you do? I am analyzing what that feeling is rooted in.
I will say that everyone has some opinion.
In my mind, I create a "counter-text" as if I were discussing with the author.
I'll go through the text quickly and move on.
I get excited about discovering hidden intentions.

What does the sentence "The opinion of an expert is more important than personal experience" mean to you? It depends on the context – sometimes yes, sometimes no.
I disagree – personal experience is fundamental to me.
I agree more – experts see things more deeply.
The sentence provokes me – I am considering who is an expert and why.
I will think about how these two sources can complement each other.

If you are unsure about a certain topic and come across an article with a clear stance, how will you react? I will take it as one option and I am looking for others.
I will let myself be influenced by that, at least for a while.
I notice who wrote the article and for whom.
I feel more relieved that "someone knows what you're thinking."
I'm saving the article, but I don't know the opinion yet.

If someone tells you: "You are a very influential person, so you should only share verified things." What does that evoke in you? Responsibility and the desire to verify facts more thoroughly.
Doubts about what is already "verified"
Feeling of manipulation – who decides what is right?
The motivation to be a source of certainty for others.
I perceive the division of the world into "manipulators" and "responsible" as a problem.

When you come across a text that has a lot of likes and positive comments, but something feels off about it, how do you react? I wonder if the majority can have a blind spot.
I'm looking for critical comments – someone must have seen it differently.
I question my perception – maybe it’s just me who is "weird."
I don't worry – the emotion of the majority is often right.
I admit my contradiction and I will leave it open.

The author of the text admits at the beginning to a mistake in their previous stance. How do you respond to that? You are gaining my trust with that.
I'm curious about what led him to that.
I feel sympathy and a willingness to continue reading.
I take it as a rhetorical move.
I'm starting to be cautious - maybe he/she wants to push something through.

Imagine that someone recommends a text that "completely changed" them. What is your reaction? I am curious what affected him so strongly.
I will skeptically prepare for exaggerated claims.
I want to find out what changes in the reader, not just in the content.
I will start to focus more on the language than on the content.
I will reflect on whether I am also looking for such "transformative" texts.