Solving for Tsundoku: Making More Time to Read

May 13, 2018

 

 

 

 

 

is a series focused on making peace with the piles.


 

With each generation, expectations grow and time grows shorter. More things introduced in the world each day are asking for your time and attention. As our schedules fill up and expectations escalate, it can be challenging to make time for what matters. And what matters the most to a bibliophile? Reading. Every moment we dedicate to losing ourselves in books, sadly, has to be fought for. Why?

I get frustrated with people who say they don’t “have time” for reading. That’s not a true statement. That’s just someone who is disingenuous wanting you to think they would be reading if they “had time for it”. I have had people tell me how jealous they are that I can afford the luxury of reading for pleasure. What? No matter how you slice it, making time for reading comes down to our priorities.

Everyone in the world is capable of finding time to do anything they want to. The limitations come only in our minds and the pressures we allow ourselves to experience from society. There will always be choices. There will always be sacrifices. But you can always find time for something. If reading isn’t a high priority in your life, it can be challenging to fit in. It can also be challenging to make changes to your existing schedule and habits.

Six years ago, I decided reading was important enough to be prioritized again. I had gone through a reading drought for a few years and barely read for fun through college. It was time to make a change. I will admit, this change took almost two years to implement! But now I read approximately 8 books a month. I could read more, but again, this all comes down to priorities.

I didn’t want reading to be something I just squeezed in, but baby steps are the start of every journey. Here are a few things I did to make reading a priority in my life again: 

 

Define what it means to read. For many people, this means quality time with a physical book in a comfortable chair. If that’s your definition: great! But there are other ways to define this. Do you want to count time spent reading the news? Reading articles online? Listening to audiobooks? By defining what it means personally for you to be reading, you are able to visualize opportunities for reading better.

Carry a book everywhere you go. This one seems simple, but can be a challenge! When I started on this journey, I only read physical books. Now, I carry an eReader with me. This allows me to carry hundreds of books at once. It doesn’t have to be an eReader. Phones, tablets, computers– all these different devices give us an opportunity to read if we are prepared.

Identify opportunities you could use for reading. This one was a game-changer for my reading habits. At first, I only considered the time I sat with a physical book. However, I quickly realized I could listen to audiobooks while I drove, walked the dog, or worked out. Suddenly, with audiobooks part of my definition of reading, I had many more opportunities.

Get involved with a book group. I know you’re not shocked to see this one here. But seriously, book groups are great. It’s like having a buddy to meet you at the gym. The book group’s next meeting date will hold you accountable to keep reading this book. You’ll develop habits without even noticing to achieve this goal. Speaking of…

Set goals. It could be a certain number of pages a day, two chapters a week, or a certain number of total books. Either way, write it down and put it somewhere visible. I, personally, find the Goodreads reading challenge motivating. But do what works for you! Don’t forget: Set your goals, but also reflect on them. Don’t hold yourself accountable to a goal you could never achieve. (For more tips, check out my post on Making and Breaking Your Goals)

Set reminders. I am the sort of person who needs help establishing habits. The age of the internet has made me easily distractable! At first, I set an alarm every day at 10 pm as a reminder to end my day with at least 15 minutes of reading. Now, I use a habit tracking app to keep me honest. 15 minutes of reading 4 times a week. It doesn’t seem that much, but often what starts as 15 minutes could become much longer. With these tools, I have finally established good habits.

 

I recognize that most of the people reading this blog post are people who already prioritize reading in their lives. Please, if you know someone who doesn’t prioritize reading but implies they would like to, share this post with them. Or talk to them about baby steps they can take to make this a reality. Everyone should have the opportunity to read. Everyone should realize they can prioritize reading.


What do you think?

  • What tricks do you use to prioritize reading time?
  • Have you ever spoken with someone who implied they were unable to find time for reading? How did you react?
  • Why is prioritizing reading time for important to you?

One Comment

  • Jane @ Greenish Bookshelf January 8, 2019 at 8:57 pm

    I definitely agree that making time for reading is worth it. And a decision we all can make! I have a lot of family and friends that are so impressed by my reading habits–how do I read more than 10 books a year? The simple answer is that I make time.

    I’m also a fan of the Goodreads Reading Challenge. I like the goal to read a number of books because it’s flexible enough for me to read 4 books a month or 10. And I never know quite how my reading experience will go from month to month.

    All I know for sure is that I need my reading time. It’s my time away from the demands and craziness of everyday life. And I relish the quiet moments spent reading.

    Thanks for this post!

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