How to Make More Time to Read | Slow Living
November 04, 2020
There was once a time when a book wouldn't last me over a week, at times there were books that wouldn't last me a day, reading was what I enjoyed doing the most and I dreamed of the day I could do that for a living. Fast forward to 7 years ago, when I started university, and although I really didn't want to get a degree, I knew that if I had to, it had to be something to do with literature.
Sure I had to read a lot to get my degree, name a few classics and I've probably read most (I'm not arrogant enough as to think I've read every classic in history, what I mean is I've read most of the more classic classics). From Oedipus Rex to Canterbury Tales, the Poetics, Antigone, Hamlet, The Great Gatsby, Leaves of Grass, Wuthering Heights, Medea, Macbeth, Robinson Crusoe, To Kill a Mockingbird and so many more I've lost count.
Truth is, as soon as I was told which books to read, and how many to somehow read, understand, analyze and study at the same time within a few days I quickly lost all my love for reading. Even when I wasn't in school, the few times I felt the urge to pick up a book, I'd read it for five minutes and then put it down for the next six months because it just felt like I was back at school. So, in order to make myself feel less bad about it, I decided to simply blame it on my lack of time. Truth is, time has nothing to do with it and I've now found a few simple ways to make sure I read at least one book per month and actually enjoy it.
I understand we don't always want or feel like reading, there are days when you just want to lay on your couch and watch a movie like everyone else, and that was really my philosophy for the past five years, that was until twp summers ago when I finally picked up a book and decided I was going to try my hardest to get back into doing what once brought me so much joy. I read both Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov, and Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman in less than a week and although I enjoyed Lolita, Eleanor Oliphant is the one that brought me back to life. You're not always going to be lucky enough to find a book that does this to you, so I thought I would give you a few tips on how to get back into it.
First of all, never leave the house without a book; this is a great way to entertain yourself during the day, whether you commute to work, or lunch alone, or get stuck in a waiting room for a while. Whenever you find yourself in a situation where you would pick up your phone and go on Instagram, pick up your book and read a chapter, you'll be done in no time.
Define small daily reading goals, like reading one or two chapters a day. If you have the time in the morning, read a bit right when you wake up and then read a bit more before going to sleep at night. This is a great way to get started if you're not used to reading. Just by creating the habit, you'll gradually read more. I realize reading in the morning might not be feasible for everyone, but try and do it on the weekend, try and have your breakfast while reading your book instead of watching TV, and by nighttime, when you go to bed, there's nothing better to help you sleep than reading another chapter (which trust me, will never be just one more).
Ignore what people tell you to read and read what you like. Just because everyone else likes something doesn't mean that's for you. Take Pickwick Papers, for instance, I know it's a beloved classic, but I haven't been able to read even half of it in the past year. I try to pick it up now and then, but I just can't get into it. Maybe I'll read it one day, but I'm not going to pressure myself into reading something just because everyone else read it, that just takes the whole fun out of it. Just by reading stuff you like I guarantee you you'll make plenty more time to do it.
Lastly, don't be afraid to spend time by yourself. When I was working, instead of going out to lunch at home and stare at the TV or just pick up my phone and go on Instagram for my 10-minute break, I'd stay at the store and pick up my book and just read before I had to get back. Don't feel like the odd man out just because you're not talking to everyone at work, reading is a really good way to relax in between shifts. Don't be afraid to go to a restaurant and ask for a table for one and just read, you won't be alone as long as you have your book.
So there you have it, a few tips and tricks on how to make time to read, something we should all be doing. Let me know what your tips are and what are you currently reading.
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