Finding The Time To Read

March 23, 2017

 

Since I’ve been blogging a little more about the books I am reading I’ve had a lot of people say to me that they’d love to read more but they struggle to either find the time or to get back into it after having kids. I thought I’d share a few of the ways that I make time to read; last year I managed to read 50 books which was a huge leap from the year before. To be fair I think most of that is to do with my boys growing up, I’m not quite as exhausted come the evening and I do have brief periods of time during the day when I get a few minutes to myself. However, I’ve also made a few changes to my reading habits which have helped me too:

Swap phone time for reading time

I realise this is easier said than done, as most of the time if you have a spare few minutes you can reply to messages or emails on your phone. However, if you’re just picking it up out of habit then try putting it down and pick up a book instead. How often you do pick up your phone, intending to just have a quick look and before you know if 20 minutes have passed and you’ve no idea how! That could be twenty minutes of reading time and you’ll feel much better for it. 

Mix It Up

I realise this doesn’t work for everyone but I usually have a few books on the go so I can choose something to fit in with my mood. Sometimes I’ll want to read something inspiring or challenging which is great but other times all I really want is a bit of escapism, a chance to get lost in another world and read solely for entertainment. If I’m finding a book too hard going I always have something lighter to hand to keep me reading. 

Keep a book on you at all times

You never know when you’re going to get a few minutes to yourself whether you are out and about or in the house. I always take a book with me if I’m going on the train, I read in the bath and waiting for appointments. There are ways to squeeze in even more reading time into your day. I’ll often bring a book or my kindle downstairs with me in the morning so it’s there is I happen to get chance to pick it up. If the twins are playing nicely, I’ll make myself a brew and have a few minutes reading, even if it’s just in the kitchen while the kettle boils. If you’re reading a really good book you’d be surprised how easy it is to get lost in it. 

Read WHATEVER you want to

This is maybe the most important thing to get you back into reading; don’t be taken in by any kind of book snobbery. Don’t choose a book just because you feel like you should, it’s a classic, it’s a bestseller, everyone is reading it, it’s been on your book shelf for years. We all love different types of novels and we all have differing opinions about what is good. You need to pick a book that you just genuinely want to read, whether it’s one you’d want to tell people about or not. If you don’t enjoy what you’re reading then you’re never going to pick up that book.

Books at Bedtime

This is something I’ve had to work really hard on and another one that ties in with putting the phone down! Pretty much every night I’ll read before bed, now it’s become a habit I don’t know why I wasn’t always doing it. Sometimes I’ll only manage a few pages and other times I’ll read for an hour. It’s such a good way to wind down and makes me much happier than seeing people’s facebook updates right before I go to sleep. 

How do you make time for reading or is it something you’d like to do more often?

 

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16 Comments

  • Emma Lofthouse-Burch

    I always read in the bath, it is the only time my boys give me any peace! I have a book in the car too, to read when hubby is driving. I used to read at bedtime and I really want to get back into the habit as it is so relaxing x

    March 23, 2017 at 7:24 am Reply
    • hayleyfromhome

      I love to read in the bath but I can’t read in the car, it makes me feel ill! I think it’s hard to keep reading before bed but it is well worth it xx

      March 30, 2017 at 10:39 am Reply
  • Claire @ The ladybirds' adventures

    I need to start making more of an effort to fit reading in. Great tips. Thanks for sharing

    March 23, 2017 at 8:25 am Reply
  • Abbie

    I definitely need to make more time for reading. I’ve been telling myself this for ages now and haven’t so this post has officially re-inspired me! (Side note: I love that mug!) xx

    March 23, 2017 at 10:40 am Reply
    • hayleyfromhome

      Ha, thanks, the mug is my new favourite! Hope you’ve managed to squeeze in a little more reading xx

      March 30, 2017 at 10:42 am Reply
  • Notmyyearoff

    I’m really good at reading once I get going but the minute I fall out of the pattern it can take me ages to pick up a book again. I need to make the effort to start again!

    March 23, 2017 at 11:27 am Reply
    • hayleyfromhome

      Yeah, I’m the same. I’ve had such a good run recently but I have so many books in the house to read it’s a good job…must stop buying books!

      March 30, 2017 at 10:42 am Reply
  • Morgana

    I love this post Hayley. I’ve been rubbish with reading so far this year which is not like me at all. I think I’ve struggled to find a book that grabs me quite as much as the Night Circus did. When I’ve got so much going on I find it hard to give the time to a book that needs a little extra effort. I do want to get back into the habit of reading at bedtime though, it definitely helps me settle and get to sleep better. x

    March 23, 2017 at 12:18 pm Reply
    • hayleyfromhome

      I definitely go through spells when I don’t want to pick anything up but they are getting less and less now, we’ve both tried to stop having the ipad on right before we go to sleep and that has really helped. Oh and I really want to read the Night Circus again this year, I remember loving in but can’t remember much about it! xx

      March 30, 2017 at 10:47 am Reply
  • Gail

    Love this post Hayley! Like you I enjoy reading at bedtime and now always make the time for it, it also really helps me get off to sleep – something I used to have problems with. Great tip about always having a book on you – I’ve just started trying to do that myself and it really works! xx

    March 23, 2017 at 12:43 pm Reply
    • hayleyfromhome

      We always used to have the ipad on before we went to sleep which I know is SO bad for switching off your brain but we haven’t done it for ages now…except when I go for an early night and watch something girly 🙂 xx

      March 30, 2017 at 10:48 am Reply
  • B

    Great post. I was always a massive reader but have struggled in the last few years (I go through phases) and I think my phone (well, the internet generally) is really to blame! I love reading blogs, articles, looking at social media etc but I think I need to reprioritise reading so thanks for the tips!

    March 24, 2017 at 8:47 am Reply
    • hayleyfromhome

      Yeah I think it’s really hard when you like to read so much online, I find the same, I get stuck looking at articles and then I’ve spent half an hour just staring at my phone!

      March 30, 2017 at 10:51 am Reply
  • Dans the Word (Dan Jackson)

    I completely agree with everything you’ve said in this post! I have had a book that’s on the side that has been there for months that I’ve wanted to read but have been otherwise distracted and I’m using the excuse of being too busy. I need to make the time. Of all things, it’s a book on mindfulness for busy people! The irony.

    Danstheword.com

    May 25, 2017 at 1:25 am Reply
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