As adults, it can be REALLY hard to find time to read. But with some simple tweaks in your routine, you can fit reading into your everyday life. Here are a few of my personal favorites.
A question I get all the time from friends and family is, “How do you find the time to read?” I think this is a huge struggle people face. They want to read. They enjoy reading. But in this busy, fast-paced world we live in, it’s hard to find time to just sit and read a book.
I’m not going to lie, it’s not easy, but there are a few things I do that really help me fit in as much reading time as possible.
Bring a book everywhere I go.
I rarely leave the house without a book. I know, that’s probably weird, but it’s amazing how many pockets of time you find to read while you’re out and about.
When I’m out and have a spare minute, instead of grabbing my phone and scrolling mindlessly through Instagram, I try to read. For example, in the waiting room at an appointment, during kid’s sports practices, in the line at school pick-up, when you arrive at Costco only to remember it doesn’t open until 10 and you have 15 minutes to spare, while waiting in line, etc.
Sure, it may only be a couple minutes here and there, but those minutes add up! If this were the only time you read, I bet you could read a book every few months. That’s 4 books a year!
Minimize tech time.
This one is HARD and takes a ton of dedication. Technology is easy. I know at the end of the day, the easiest thing to do is turn on Netflix or watch Insta stories. I’m exhausted, my brain is fried, and I’m ready to zone out and relax. I’m not alone in this, right?
But the truth is that when I watch tv or mess around on my phone, I very rarely feel rejuvenated. In fact, I usually feel worse—especially if I spend more than 30-60 minutes doing it. Reading, on the other hand, makes me feel better.
That being said, technology is addicting! Episodes end on cliffhangers, begging you to watch, “just one more.” Phones are like a drug, no joke. Sometimes I grab my phone and open Facebook before I even realize what I’m doing! It’s sad, really.
So I have to be really intentional about this one. But when I am, I get so much more reading in and I’m much happier for it. I feel more relaxed, refreshed, and better able to conquer long, tough days as a mom.
Read every night before bed.
This is perhaps my best tip! Make it a habit to read every single night before you go to sleep. Not only will this help you fit in more reading time, but it will also help you sleep better. Even if you’re only able to read a page or two before you zonk out, this will help you fit reading into your life.
Besides, if you only read two pages every day for a year, you’ll get through two books a year. If you read 10 pages a night, you’ll get through about a book a month!
If you love to read and want to read, I promise you can make time for it each and every day—even if it’s only a couple minutes.
When do you sneak in some reading? Let me know in the comments below.
I need this. You’re going to instill a love of reading into me. I can just tell! Blog looks fabulous ! 🙂
It’s my life mission 😂. And thank you!