How to Find More Time to Read
The eternal problem: how do we make time to pursue our bookish hobbies?
Being an adult means our days are crammed with things we “have” to do: working, cooking, cleaning, family and social obligations, exercising, etc. etc. And that’s without even bringing kids or pets into the picture!
It’s easy to fall out of the habit of daily reading, and before we know it, a year has gone by and we haven’t read more than the first few pages of a novel.
For the last few years, I’ve had to make a concerted effort to bring regular reading back into my life. I join the Goodreads reading challenge every year, and I try to inch my goal number up every time.
This year, I decided to read 50 books. Not prolific by any means, but still much higher reading rate than I used to boast! I am currently almost on track to meet my goal (I was set back by summer travels), and I’m confident I can finish strong.
So, what are some of the habits that help me read regularly? I’m so glad you asked!
1. Read Before Bed
This is the biggest one for me. The habit helps me keep a regular reading routine, no matter what else has happened during the day to keep me from my books. I know I can count on at least a few minutes to delve into a novel before I drift off.
It helps me relax as well, so it serves two purposes. Reading before bed (especially if it’s a physical book) is infinitely better than scrolling through a social media feed!
2. Read During Meals
This one is a little more controversial, especially for the mindfulness crowd or those who say we need to focus on our food to avoid overeating.
I believe both of those camps have good points; regardless, I love to sit down with my oatmeal, coffee, and a good book in the morning. And during work lunch breaks, I can usually be found indulging in some much-needed literary fresh air over my leftovers from last night’s dinner. My other coworkers read the news or watch TV on their phones, so I feel like reading is at least a better alternative to that.
Reading during meals works for me, and using that time to read helps me get through many more books than I would otherwise.
3. Can You Say E-book?
Having a book in your pocket is always a good idea! Even if you’re not inclined to spend money on ebooks or a membership to Kindle Unlimited, you can always download Libby, a free app that allows you to check out ebooks with your library card.
This little app has changed my life. Even though I much prefer physical books, I have to admit that it’s so useful to be able to whip out my phone and read during downtime – like when I’m waiting on a friend, or in a long line at the store – that I might otherwise spend mindlessly scrolling Twitter.
You’d be surprised how many books those stolen seconds might knock out in a year!
4. What About Audiobooks?
Listening counts as reading, and don’t let anyone tell you differently!
You can use Libby to check out audiobooks for free if you’re not able or willing to purchase audiobooks (but if you are, I’d recommend Audible, which offers the added benefit of using its Whispersync function to jump seamlessly from your Kindle edition to audio format – though you have to own both ebook and audiobook versions of the book in question).
I listen to audiobooks while I’m cleaning the house, cooking meals, and walking my dog. Listening to something fun makes even the most mundane tasks enjoyable, and I get a lot of reading done while tackling our never-ending pile of dishes!
5. Read What Excites You
This one is key! I always start lagging when I’m forcing myself to slog through a book I’m not interested in. You may feel like you need to read that memoir or book on productivity everyone’s talking about, or you might decide to elevate your literary repertoire by adding a bunch of dense classics to your reading list. However, I would argue that quantity beats quality — at least while you’re building that voracious reading habit.
You can always toss a few vegetables in with the candy once you’ve gotten the hang of eating regularly, right? (Okay, terrible policy in reality, but as a metaphor, I think it works.)
What about you? Do you have any habits or tips that help you read more often? Let me know in the comments!
