Finding time for reading can be tough. With busy life, kids, work, and a messy home, it can seem like reading is a luxury. When you’re stressed and out of time, it can be hard to find time for reading. Read on to get tips on how to make time for reading!
As a kid, I always had my nose in a book. If you ask my parents, they’ll tell you stories of my walking down sidewalks barely looking because I was reading.
And then I had kids. For a while, I was still reading a lot – Alex had bought me a Nook for my 21st birthday and I would prop it up on something and read in the dark hours of the night, trying to rock Ryan to sleep.
But as my boys got older and I started my businesses, my time to read has quickly dwindled.
Which is a shame.
Finding More Time for Reading
In January, I made myself promise to read more. I’d been way too stressed at the time and reading is something that always mellows me.
I now am reading a few books a month that I consider to be my ‘me’ time – something crazy important for stressed out mommas!
Struggling with the same thing? Have no fear! I’m sharing my favorite tips on how to find more time for reading!
How to Find More Time for Reading
Start small.
Commit to just 15 minutes a night at first until it seems doable and like second nature.
Then maybe increase it to 20.
Keep building until you reach your ideal daily reading time. You’ll be amazed at how easy it will be to find the time. Let’s be honest, you do not need to watch that episode of the Office you’ve seen 18 times already, amirite?
Soon you’ll be laying in bed early just to use that time to dig further into your story.
Make Reading a priority.
Look, nothing ‘extra’ will ever get done in your life if you don’t make it a PRIORITY. Write down everything you do when you aren’t doing the things you have to do and figure out what things you can take out.
What are you spending too much time on? Facebook? (yeah, me too, and I don’t even LIKE Facebook!!) Give it a limit and stick to it. Side note: the StayFocused extension for Chrome is amazing – check it out!
Invest in an E-Reader or Book?
Is it just me, or are you a million times more likely to do something if you’ve spent a little money? Try investing in a really nice, hardcover edition of a book you’ve been dying to read or an old favorite.
Another option is investing in an e-reader like a Kindle or a Nook. I started with a Nook that I had for years before recently buying a Kindle.
If you’re a Prime member you get free books through Prime and is you invest in Kindle Unlimited you get even more.
People debate whether Unlimited is worth it – mostly because the biggest publishers are not in the network, but I believe it’s worth it. Big publisher or not, there are some amazing books available on it. Try it out for 30 days for free here!
Try mobile.
I hesitate to include this since it’s so easy to get distracted, but it has its place. Try downloading a Kindle or Nook app on your phone and reading when you can in small bits. Anytime you’d normally be checking Instagram or pinning or whatever, open up your app for your book.
It’s a great way to test out the waters and get yourself back into reading if you haven’t been doing much.
Start a series.
Ask a friend or do a search to find a promising series of books that will pull you in – you know, the ‘can’t put it down, need to start the next one immediately’ kind. Or you know, just read Harry Potter for the millionth time.
Don’t stress about WHAT you find time to read
If the reason you aren’t reading is you lack the time or energy or patience, don’t commit to anything that is going to drain you.
Don’t be embarrassed about reading something that isn’t going to do much for you education-wise. Don’t go reading deep, soul searching books.
Maybe with time, but just finding time to read anything is beneficial. Confession: I love to read romance novels. They let me turn my brain off, I get to relax, and it doesn’t drain me emotionally – I always choose books with happy endings.
So tell me – did you like reading as a kid? Do you make reading a priority? Any good recommendations? Let me know in the comments!
Susie @ Suzlyfe says
I read while I am working out. It is one way to guarantee I will get through my workout! But anything that people can do to increase reading time (within reason, obviously), I am majorly in favor of.
Emily says
I love reading… I also love listening to books out loud, and I agree that you do have to carve out time, and I’m not even a mom yet. 🙂 Starting small is one of the best tips, so you don’t feel like you need to read for hours. However, if you are a book worm, you probably won’t feel like you have to read for hours.
Jessie @ The Acquired Sass says
I was definitely a reader as a kid. My mom used to beg me to go outside, where our compromise would be that I would just read outside. Haha. Not that I didn’t run around too, but when I got caught up in a book that was it, there was nothing else until I finished. Which, sounds like you, I was often reading a book each day or so, especially if I got sucked into a good mystery. Hardy Boys & Nancy Drew were my JAM.
Since I work in an office, I usually eat lunch at my desk & use my lunch break to read, either in my car or a nearby park. It’s my favorite.
Alyssa @ renaissancerunnergirl says
I was the same way with books as a kid. I’d read in the car until I got a headache no matter where I was going! Now I feel like the only stuff I read is the news and other blogs, and right this very moment silly articles on the Knot 😉 But I want to get back to where I was with it. Preferably before career changes or children make it even harder!
Ellen @ My Uncommon Everyday says
I brought a book EVERYWHERE as a kid. I would read while in the car (which now makes me carsick), waiting in line, and obviously at home. My mom and I would even go out to lunch and just sit and read (we talked plenty, no worries) and then tip the waiters really well for letting us take up a table.
Now… not so much. I don’t ever want to just sit still and read, so I sometimes take a book to the gym and walk on a treadmill or bike while reading. But mostly, I use audiobooks. It probably isn’t quite the same, but it still engages me and I can do it while I’m doing anything from running to cooking to washing dishes. So, yeah, I still get through books I have on my list, but I don’t read them myself much.
Anne Marie @ CCHC says
I read constantly as a kid, but haven’t been able to force myself to read much since becoming a mom. I am always distracted by social media/the internet or binging on Netflix whenever I actually have “free” time. Earlier this week I went to the library alone so that I could grab a few books for ME to start making myself read more…but I am *so close* to being done with my Grey’s Anatomy binge. sigh
Amy says
I was such a book worm as a kid. I still love to read but frequently let it get crowded out. Trying to make more of an effort to pick up my book instead of my phone or turn on the tv
Valerie says
I just LOVE reading. Sometimes if I find a great book I can just spend the whole day reading it, even though I have other priorities that need tending to.
Heather @ Polyglot Jot says
Yes! I find it harder to read because i cant keep my eyes open after work! I love to read though! I was in a reading rut for several months and just started back up again–so great! I try to just read a few pages a night to wind down. Ive been looking forward to it!
Emily says
I am the opposite. When I was a kid, I didn’t really like reading. I’ve always been a little slow at it and had to think through the words. But as an adult I love reading! I try to always have a book on hand. That way when I have down time and am tempted to waste time on social media, I have a book to read even if just a few minutes like you said.
Judy @ Chocolaterunsjudy says
Yes, I was the kid with my nose always in a book too! And yes, I don’t read anywhere near as much now. But I do read every night before bed. It helps me shake off the day. I love my kindle, and I still do read real books — from the library.
And don’t discount magazines! I get a slew of them, and I will read some while having that first cup of tea in the morning. It’s easier to just read a little bit from a magazine and then set it aside.
Julie @ Running in a Skirt says
I’ve always been a bit of bookworm too…. but I have noticed since I’ve been blogging more… my reading time has turned into that “work on the never ending blog t0-do list” I need to prioritize it more too because it makes me happy.
Sabrina @ FitCoffeeMom says
I loved to read as a kid and up until I started personal training (I became a fitness and food reader) I didn’t ready “fun stuff.” Hopefully I can get back into a groove. That is my goal for the end of summer! 🙂
Kendall Patton says
I have a nook that my Dad bought me as a graduation gift a few years ago! I haven’t used it in sooo long and I really do need to get back into reading books again! Sometimes it’s just hard to find quiet time where I can sit and read! But, this is definitely something I want to work on, because I miss reading 🙂
Mrs. AOK says
Oh I love this! Like you I was such a wonderful reader when I was younger, when I became a mother I read a lot too, but mainly children’s books. I don’t know why I only stopped off in the children’s area of the library. However, but one day I ventured beyond the colorful books with beautiful pictures and found myself shoving books in my already full library bag for me. I’ve been much better about reader over the years, but I could still use room for improvement. I envy my kids who can sit for hours and read, I want to do that too, but my mind always tells me I have something else I should be doing while they’re busy. :::sigh::
XOXO
Cathy Lawdanski says
I used to read SO MUCH more than I do now – not enough time, too much social media & TV, etc. I love your suggestions for getting back in the swing of things! #partyatmyplace
Dara says
I joined a book club. We meet once a month, so I am no reading at least one book a month. It seems so sad because I used to read 5-7 books a week, but I guess I was less busy then…
Kristy from Southern In Law says
I really need to make more time for reading! Lately my schedule has been so busy that I’ve rarely picked up a book – unless it was on a way to a meeting on the train or on a slow day whilst I waited for clients to get back to me.
These tips are perfect!
Elena W says
Great tips! I think something that helped me too is that if I don’t click with the first 15-30 pages, I quit and start a new book. It keeps me from wasting time on books that I am likely not going to enjoy. Also, audiobooks have been a great way to read more. I listen while cleaning, driving, and doing laundry
Katie says
Great post – I used to LOVE reading all the way through college, and then like you said, husband and kids happened. I completely agree – you must make it a priority and start in small baby steps. I am on vacation now and brought a lovely book I started over a year ago and have yet to finish – My Family and Other Animals. As soon as I am done checking on my comments in another post I am going to go out on the deck with a beer and read for 15 🙂 Thanks for reminding me to make time for things I enjoy!
Katie says
PS – thanks for linking this up at #HappinessIsHomemade this week 🙂
Tamara from Unhurried Home says
I second the suggestion to read ebooks — I have a couple on the kindle app on my iPhone and I can read them when I’m putting the toddler to sleep or waiting in line. It’s far more relaxing than jumping around on Facebook or Twitter.
I’ve also been relying on audiobooks this year, especially as the news hasn’t been exactly child-friendly this year. 🙁 It’s nice to listen to a book while tidying the kitchen!
Chloe Crabtree says
The only time I get a chance to read is when I fly or when I am on vacation. I am assembling a stack of paperbacks. I am going on a 2 week cruise in August and I can’t wait!!
Krystal @ Little Light on a Hill says
I have always loved reading! Finding series that I enjoy are my favorite way to stay motivated. In really busy seasons, I’ve even put on my to-do list “read for 20 minutes.” During the school year, my girls do their required reading for school and I’ll read right along next to them. It was an easy way to get them to finish their homework, and model a love of reading in real life.
Tianna says
thanks for these tips! I’ve been trying to get more reading in this summer 🙂
April says
Yes! Reading mellows me too, and i read so slowly these days. (I’m a mom blogger too.) But progress is progress. I like your idea of 1 book a month. I may adopt that.
Jen says
It’s funny, but for a long time reading took a back burner in my life. I love reading and so that made me unhappy. So I stopped that and I am definitely trying to make more time for it. I love your tips and thank you for sharing this over at the Happy Now Link-Up!
Gwen says
We live in a very rural area, so whenever my husband is driving the whole family anywhere, I take at least some of the time to read. My husband is also very gracious to listen to me reading out all the bits I find interesting! Thanks for your ideas 🙂
April J Harris says
Oh my goodness, I was like that as a kid too! I do struggle to find time to read, except if I’m reviewing a book. For some reason, because it is ‘work’ that is okay. I’m working to make changes to that so I can fit more reading in. At the moment I look forward to long flights as it’s my only real reading time. I really enjoyed your tips and will definitely give them a try. Pinned this post. Thank you for sharing it with us at the Hearth and Soul Hop.
Sandra Garth says
I hope to find a little time for reading while I’m traveling this week. Thanks for sharing your links with us at Celebrate Your Story and have a fun week!