LIFE

Dear Carol,

I’m 13, and for about two years, I’ve been listening to audiobooks to fall asleep, particularly a certain few which I know well. Now I can’t sleep without them. This poses a few problems, like at the summer camp I went to where we weren’t allowed to have our phones with us at night. My mom thankfully persuaded the staff to let me keep mine the week I was there. My dad says he thinks it’s just a useless crutch that keeps me from living my life to the fullest, and I’m worried he’s right—and that I’m too old to rely on this stuff.

- Addicted to Audiobooks

Dear Addicted to Audiobooks, 

As “addictions” go, listening to audiobooks is an excellent one. Teens get addicted to way worse things: smoking, vaping, drinking, gaming, scrolling. So your dad shouldn’t sweat this. But yes, it’s ideal not to need anything specific to go to sleep. Can you switch to reading that same comfort book? Or listening to the words in your own head? Or singing yourself a song? Do your best not to fret, and try to get to where you can simply “let go” at night and let yourself drift off. Zzzzzzzz.

Carol Weston is the author of 16 books, including Girltalk, Ava and Pip and Speed of Life, a novel about a 14-year-old girl who writes to an advice columnist. Carol's audiobooks are on Spotify. More at carolweston.com and on Instagram @carolwestonnyc.

Read more advice from Dear Carol right here:
✨ "Dear Carol, I'm struggling with anxious thoughts"
✨ "Dear Carol, I can't choose which high school to attend"
✨ "Dear Carol, I feel left out for not having a phone"

We want to hear from you! Go here to submit questions to Carol about every sticky sitch life throws at you.

by GL | 12/2/2024