How to Make Time for Reading

I am often asked about how I manage to read so much.

And every time I answer that this is not a question of having time, but to make time. Since some time now, I have made time for reading, while in the tube going to work or home, in the evening and during the weekend.

Ever since the pandemic started, reading in the morning is over for me. It’s true, I am no longer stressed about getting to work and making sure I leave home at that exact time or getting the tube in order to arrive in time. And I do realize I have gained some time for me, if I should calculate the time I used to spend to get to work (around two hours per day).

Nevertheless, I tried to keep at my healthy habit and take small breaks – as they mention in the health and security trainings and I do take breaks to move about the room and also take a small reading break of five-ten minutes in order to relax.

 

At the end of the day, I also make time to read about 20 pages. Some days, I succeed in reading 100 pages, and other days I do not. But I do know I do not have to stress myself because of this. Reading should be done with pleasure and this is something I am not willing to forget.

For somebody that has already created a reading habit, even a small one, reading every day is not an effort. But my advice is for those that do not have reading in their activities and wish to include it.

 

1. The list

If you are just like me and you like to keep lists about the tasks in your personal and professional life, please write down reading in your list.

It does not matter if you like to read on various devices or if you are old fashion, like I am, and only like to read hardcover books because you like the smell of the paper or the way the page feels in your fingers, you just make sure that reading is on your to-do-list.

If you keep your tasks on a daily basis, put reading every day for a month. But do try not to avoid doing it or simply deleting it from the list. Even a couple of pages matter.

 

2. Podcasts

Podcasts are now in fashion. Aside from your favorite shows, you can also save some audio books that you can listen to. It’s true, there is a difference between reading and being read to, but the purpose is to read a book. And sometimes the end justifies the means.

 

3. Start small

Do not impose upon yourself to read a  number of pages per day/ week/ month. It does not matter how many pages does X read or how many books does Y read. You will start small. Don’t forget, when you impose, the result will always be different than what was intended.

After a while, when you will have obtained your taste for reading, you will notice that you will read more than you used to. Moreover, it may come in handy to set a minimum number of pages to read; but that is what the bibliophiles do.

 

4. What you read is important

Don’t read everything the other are reading. Sure, it’s fine to get recommendations from other readers (and it is true that one starts to love reading when the books one reads are good), but it is also important to focus on the subjects you are interested in and on the type of literature you like and feel you are not wasting time with (usually, people that do not read mention that they do not do it because they constantly feel they are wasting time with this activity).

 

5. Disconnect

I know, it’s easier said than done. But not impossible.

They say we sleep better when we do not look at screens before going to sleep. I do not know about that, but I do know that it does wonders to disconnect from phone, apps and other sites. I have been practicing for some years now the disconnecting weekend (I do not check my Facebook account, I only check my emails in case of an emergency, and my phone is on silent and in another room than where I am usually at – and this is so wonderful for me that I started implementing it day by day, and now my phone is not on silent only when I am expecting a call).

True, it’s easier for me because I do now own a smartphone.

 

6. Plan your breaks

Try to set two reading breaks a day, one during the day and one in the evening.

The reading break during the day could be taken during lunch, a coffee or tee break, or whenever you feel like if you don’t get a small pause from work you are going to implode.

When at home, some obligations may hinder you from taking reading breaks, but try to make a habit of reading a couple of pages before going to sleep.

 

7. Carry a book

This is such a cherished discovery – carrying a book with you when you leave home. You will always have some dull moments to kill and reading could be quite a pleasurable activity – for example, when you are waiting for your appointment, or you arrive earlier for an encounter, or you are waiting for a means of transportation and, of course, you are traveling.

I know it’s easier to browse through your phone, but the reading alternative leaves us less stressful.

 

And you, what do you do in order to find time for reading?