8 votes

Getting back into reading

When I was younger I was an avid reader, reading often 30 books or more a year. Since leaving university though, I have found it more difficult to sit down and read. I still have the desire to, but I always end up sidetracked. Any tips on how to get back into reading?

13 comments

  1. [5]
    iiv
    Link
    Make time for reading. Decide to go to bed 30 minutes (or however long you want) earlier to read. Don't just pick up a book when you have time over, it won't work. Well, it could work, but don't...

    Make time for reading. Decide to go to bed 30 minutes (or however long you want) earlier to read. Don't just pick up a book when you have time over, it won't work. Well, it could work, but don't count on it. When you've made reading a habit you will find that reading in your other free time comes naturally.

    4 votes
    1. [3]
      bhrgunatha
      (edited )
      Link Parent
      That's exactly what I did and although it's a simple method that sounds easy, it was quite a struggle. I seriously made a spreadsheet with dates and put a cross every day I missed and a tick every...

      That's exactly what I did and although it's a simple method that sounds easy, it was quite a struggle. I seriously made a spreadsheet with dates and put a cross every day I missed and a tick every day I read. It took me about 4 months with lots of breaks before the habit stuck. I think the reason is that I was out of the habit of reading books purely for pleasure basically since I became an adult.
      That was a couple of years ago and the good news is that now diving back into a story night after night is a joy again and even if I miss a few days here and there it's easy starting up again.

      1 vote
      1. [2]
        MissMoo0623
        Link Parent
        That's definitely true, and there will be some days I know I can't. But I miss my books and I look forward to getting into them! Especially as I'm getting into the Wheel of Time series it's always...

        That's definitely true, and there will be some days I know I can't. But I miss my books and I look forward to getting into them! Especially as I'm getting into the Wheel of Time series it's always an adventure.

        1 vote
        1. bhrgunatha
          Link Parent
          Nice. The Expanse is my next major goal (because the show is great). I've still got one more after my current book before that, but it is good to feel excited about books again :)

          Nice.
          The Expanse is my next major goal (because the show is great). I've still got one more after my current book before that, but it is good to feel excited about books again :)

          1 vote
    2. MissMoo0623
      Link Parent
      I will definitely give that a try. I'll often work all the way up to bedtime but I know it's healthier to stop earlier and it's more fun!

      I will definitely give that a try. I'll often work all the way up to bedtime but I know it's healthier to stop earlier and it's more fun!

  2. [3]
    sgtmarymary
    Link
    If you commute by train or bus, that's also a great time to read! I started doing that, and now I almost wish my commute was longer.

    If you commute by train or bus, that's also a great time to read! I started doing that, and now I almost wish my commute was longer.

    3 votes
    1. userexec
      Link Parent
      Even if you commute by car, that can be a great time if you don't mind shelling out the extra money for an audio book or getting an Audible subscription. Between careers I drove a semi for a while...

      Even if you commute by car, that can be a great time if you don't mind shelling out the extra money for an audio book or getting an Audible subscription. Between careers I drove a semi for a while and knocked out an absolutely crazy number of books that way. I definitely prefer reading to listening, though.

      2 votes
    2. Tristan
      Link Parent
      Same here. I've got about an hour commute with good traffic, so I just download a few books and spend the time reading. Kills the time pretty quickly and helps me not think about having to spend...

      Same here. I've got about an hour commute with good traffic, so I just download a few books and spend the time reading. Kills the time pretty quickly and helps me not think about having to spend at least two hours of my day just traveling (since honestly if I had an extra two hours each day, I'd probably spend the time reading anyway).

      Having books on my phone also makes it really easy to read anywhere. Five minutes here when I get somewhere early, ten minutes there while I'm waiting in line, etc.

      2 votes
  3. [2]
    mat
    Link
    In addition to what @iiv says, don't just make time, make that time reading time. Turn your phone off, or at least turn down non-important notifications and put it out of arm's reach. Close your...

    In addition to what @iiv says, don't just make time, make that time reading time. Turn your phone off, or at least turn down non-important notifications and put it out of arm's reach. Close your laptop, turn off the radio/tv/music if you have those things on. Get a nice cup of something you like to drink and sit somewhere comfortable which isn't distracting (eg: I like being outside, but I find all the sounds of outdoors distracting when reading) - maybe somewhere you wouldn't normally sit, like on the stairs or on a different chair or something.

    2 votes
    1. MissMoo0623
      Link Parent
      I get so easily distracted for sure! I'm going to try also physically moving the book to my room so I have no excuse about having to go get it from another room haha

      I get so easily distracted for sure! I'm going to try also physically moving the book to my room so I have no excuse about having to go get it from another room haha

  4. [2]
    DonQuixote
    Link
    I'm having a similar problem getting back into art. The problem is, it's work at first. Like anything, practice (or in the case of reading, just doing it) creates a habit, and then it can become...

    I'm having a similar problem getting back into art. The problem is, it's work at first. Like anything, practice (or in the case of reading, just doing it) creates a habit, and then it can become part of your lifestyle. So make the 'work' as easy as possible at first. If you're getting bored, it may be a sign things are too easy. Or too challenging. Good luck!

    1 vote
    1. MissMoo0623
      Link Parent
      Good luck to you too! I don't think I could ever get into art...definitely not one of my talents. I highly appreciate those who can though so keep it up!

      Good luck to you too! I don't think I could ever get into art...definitely not one of my talents. I highly appreciate those who can though so keep it up!

  5. epitten
    Link
    Some of my advice will overlap with things that other commenters have written. In my experience, the most helpful thing is to make reading something you look forward to. For me, I found I could do...

    Some of my advice will overlap with things that other commenters have written.

    In my experience, the most helpful thing is to make reading something you look forward to. For me, I found I could do this in two ways: what I read and how I read.

    The first is fairly straightforward. Do you like fiction or non-fiction? Novels or short stories? I found that I enjoyed non-fiction and short stories, so I mostly read those.

    The second can be a bit trickier. As @sgtmarymary mentioned, if you have a commute on public transit to/from work, this can be a great time to read. I don't dread my commutes even with a packed bus, because I can always open a book and read (reading while standing up doesn't bother me too much).

    If you don't, then try to make your reading time/place pleasant. Whether it's outside on a beach towel or inside by the fireplace, try to find or create an environment that you look forward to being in, because that will really help you enjoy your reading time. Once you start looking forward to your reading time, you'll probably start going out of your way (sometimes without realizing) to make it a priority.

    Finally, don't worry if you miss a day, or if you only get X minutes to read, or something like that. As long as you're honestly making the effort to get some reading in, you'll find a chance to do so.

    1 vote