Self-Esteem Rabbit Hole
I don't know about you, but I tend to interact with text when I read. By that, I mean I stop and think about things in relation to my life. So yes, that makes me a slow reader.
Here's an example.
I recently picked up a book by Denise Linn titled The Gift of Low Self-Esteem. Interesting title, right? Within the first few pages, she presents the idea that low self-esteem can be a superpower. Now that's quite the hook! Since I'm fascinated by psychology, I dove in.
In the first chapter, Linn makes the case that people with low self-esteem tend to seek ways to improve it. That makes sense. She describes numerous characteristics of low self-esteem, including feeling incompetent, believing one is unworthy of success, experiencing imposter syndrome, needing to please others, lacking a sense of identity, and being overly sensitive, empathetic, and compassionate.
By contrast, she shares research suggesting that people with high self-esteem can be opinionated, judgmental, unconcerned about other's feelings; lack empathy and compassion for others but not themselves; and feel superior to others.