There are very few things that bring me as much joy as reading. I love how books give me the chance to escape my reality even if it’s just for a little. Even though I don’t get to read as much as I used to anymore, reading still forms a pretty important part of daily life. Irrespective of what’s going on in other areas of my life, I still try and take out at least a few minutes every single day to read a book.
Of course, life is busy and it may feel like you just don’t have the time to read. But if there’s anything I have learnt, then it is that reading – just like incorporating any healthy habit into your life – requires time, effort and consistent actions. Scroll down for my top 5 tips to help you develop a reading habit and make the time to read books every single day…
- Always carry a book
Whether I am going out to run errands, meeting friends, or traveling, I carry a book with my without fail. Even when I know I will most likely have no time to actually open my book and read, I still like to carry one with me just in case. And more of than not, I have always stumbled upon a little window to read during the day. Waiting in line to bill groceries at the supermarket or if my friend happens to be late, I prefer to whip out my book and read instead of scrolling on my phone. These little windows of time really add up and you would actually end up reading more than expected throughout the course of the day.
- Schedule time in the day
Just like anything else on my priority list, I like to block some time on my calendar for reading. This may sound weird, but blocking time on your calendar acts like a reminder for you to make time for things that truly matter and increases the chances of you actually doing it. For me, I have blocked off 8 to 8:30 every morning to read a non-fiction book. I brew myself a cup of tea and read for 30 minutes without any distractions. I love reading a non-fiction book first thing in the morning as it sets the correct for the rest of the day.
- Download an ebook reader app on the phone
For as long as I remember, I avoided reading on my phone blaming the small screen size and thinking it would be annoying. But overtime I realised those are just excuses, and that reading on my phone is way better than mindlessly scrolling. Now I love the fact that even if I forget to carry a book, I can still read on my phone no matter where I am. Sure, reading on the phone can be distracting with all the notifications, but with just a little discipline, you’ll be surprised how much reading you can actually get done.
- Read before bed
Reading in bed for a little while before falling asleep is one (and probably the only) practice I have been following since I was little. Irrespective of how busy day was or how tired I am, I like to end my day with a few minutes of reading a good fiction. This is a great practice because once you are in bed, there is nothing else that’s demanding your attention. Which means you can truly immerse yourself in the story without distractions. Plus, research claims that reading before bed is a great way to calm your mind, unwind and sleep better.
- Pick a book that interests me
It’s been a long time since I gave up trying to keep up with must-read book lists and instead started picking up books that I truly wanted to read. While these lists are a great and may work for some people, I find that I enjoy a book a lot more if I have picked it out of my own interest. And when I am invested in a story, I am much more likely to finish reading it versus just picking a book that’s trendy and never actually reading it.
Of course, life gets in the way sometimes and reading, even for a few minutes, seems difficult. I allow myself to be just be on those days, but I make sure to not let it last for more than a couple days. Because reading is a habit. And just like any habit, it starts with an intention and needs to be followed up with mindful actions to make it stick.