People ask me all the time, “How do you find time to read so many books?”
Okay, so, no one asks me that. But they should. Usually, instead, they just complain about how they never find time to read or how I’m so lucky that I can.
They act like I’m drowning in all this free time, but I’m here to tell you that I’m not! Surprise! Drowning—yes. Free time—what is that, again?
I’m not a prolific reader, by any stretch of the imagination, nor do I read every day, even. But I do read, and a fair number of books. 67 so far this year, to be exact. So no, I’m not a crazy book dragon that devours words for sustenance because their very life depends on it. Although, I’m slightly jealous of those who are.
The secret isn’t having all this free time that you can while away sipping mimosas and reading five books a day while your butler, Steve, supplies you with an endless conveyor of chocolatey delights; the secret is using what time you do have wisely.
Although, I mean, if you’ve got all that free time, I highly recommend the mimosas and chocolate, obviously. Duh. That’s plan A.
The two best ways to read despite your busy schedule is to either find time or to make time.
Making Time
No alchemy is involved here. No, this isn’t arts and craft, either.
Making time means rearranging your schedule to ensure that you get in at least some amount of reading every day.
For some people, that’s not feasible, and for you, may I direct you down to the Finding Time section? Right this way, please. For everyone else, here are a few ideas for how to make time in your already too packed schedule without completely bogging you down and making you want to sob in a corner forever because adulting sucks.
Make it part of your routine.
It’s really not a secret that having a set time you do things every day ensures that they get done. Unless you’re an expert at procrastination like I am, anyway. But for most people, having a set time that you read every day, regardless of when it is, ensures that you’re making regular progress, even if it’s just 15 or 20 minutes a day. I have a friend who keeps a book by his bedside, and he reads two chapters every night—just the two. Obviously, he is a master of restraint and values his sleep much more than I do. Sleep is obviously for the weak and dead, and I care for it so little that my Death Plan™ is to become a zombie just so I can avoid it. That’s dedication.
For the rest of you “normal” people who like being healthy and/or not zombies, allotting yourself even just 10 – 15 minutes of “wind-down” reading time before bed can start to make a dent in your TBR pile. For me, since I have a desk job, I like to pair my reading time with my walking time, because I make it a habit to get up and walk regularly while I work. Because I am super extra talented, I can walk and read at the same time, thank you very much. In the confines of my home, of course. Also, mostly on a treadmill.
Prioritize reading over other things.
I can’t tell you how many people I’ve heard bemoan their lack of time to read and then I see them spending oodles of time doing other things like watching TV or playing games or scrolling through Twitter. *cough* *raises hand guiltily* For a lot of people, it’s not having no time that’s the problem; it’s poor time management skills.
I include myself as one of those. I am horribly allergic to anything that involves time and management in the same sentence. It’s incredibly easy to lose track of time. You decide to check on Twitter for just one second and, boom, your child’s eighteen and moving out and you don’t recognize anyone around you. Or something like that.
I’m not saying that you can’t or shouldn’t do other things, but if reading is that important to you, then treat it like it is. Maybe instead of spending an hour a day watching television, cut it to a half hour and spend the other time reading. Maybe instead of gaming before bed, you read before bed. Maybe you put the Twitter down and back away slowly if you know what’s good for you.
Set a special time for it and make it fun.
I mean, reading should always be fun anyway, right? But there’s something extra exciting when it becomes a special thing. Fridays are my special days, when my daughter and I go to the library, pick out our books for the week, and then hang out for an hour or two chatting with other bookish people, reading books, and being altogether too nerdy for our own good. Which means that even if I’ve barely read all week, I know I’ve got that time on Friday! I’m covered. It also means that I look forward to that time on Friday, and if I feel bad about not reading as much as I had hoped, I know that time is still there. It’s sacred. Nobody messes with Fridays, darn it.
Finding Time
Finding time does not mean crossing a checkpoint and earning an hour racing-game style. Sorry to disappoint you. Although, I mean, how awesome would that be?! Finding time means squeezing reading into the little nooks and crannies of your day that may otherwise be wasted by frivolous things … like relaxing or catching your breath. Sometimes, we’re busy. Shocker, I know. It’s not always possible to set aside time specifically for reading, but that doesn’t mean all hope is lost!* That just means you have to be more creative in finding your reading time. Below are some examples, just to help get you started.
* All hope is lost.
Make the most of your downtime.
Is your butt going to be in a chair for an extended period of time? Are you also, perchance, going to be awake? Good. Those are the times you can eke just a little more out of your schedule to crack open a good book. Or a bad book. I mean, I’m not picky. I totally am.
A few good times/places might include:
- Children’s sporting events. Works well if they’re younger and sit out half the game. Not so much when they’re older and expect you to watch them. Moral of the story: make sure your kids never age.
- Doctor’s offices. You’re sitting there waiting pretty close to eternity anyway. Might as well make the best of that time.
- Lunch breaks.
- While sipping your morning coffee.
- Waiting in the pick-up line for your child.
- On your commute. If you aren’t driving, please. Although, audiobooks are a great option, if you are.
- Cooking dinner. Just … don’t forget about dinner. Not that I’m talking from experience or anything …
- Exercising. Within reason. I love to pair a good book with a walk on the treadmill or the stationary bike if I haven’t had a chance to read yet that day.
Pretty much every time you have at least five minutes of solid downtime becomes an opportunity to squeeze in a little reading, so make it a habit to carry a book with you.*
* Or two or three. Or two plus a Kindle. What? I don’t have problems, okay? I just like to be prepared.
Read with your children.
After all, you can’t escape them. I’ve tried. If I ever go missing, just inform my seven-year-old that she can’t have dessert until she asks her mother, and I kid you not, SHE. WILL. FIND. ME.
My daughter and I are currently reading Bob together … which is why it’s been on my Currently Reading list for forever. She’s a bit of a slow reader, we both have short attention spans, and neither of us like being read to. We’re not great reading buddies, okay?
As a parent, you want your kid to read, and also, your kids learn habits from you—especially that thing you wish they wouldn’t—so spend some together time reading a book.
Obviously, you’re going to have to let them choose it. Depending on how young your kid is, it might also be painful. If I have to read one more Pete the Cat book, I’m going to scream.
The good news is, if they’re young enough, you can read anything to them, because they don’t care. They’re not really listening to you, anyway; they just want to be held. So you can read them pretty much anything you want. My daughter’s first book was technically Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged because that’s what I was reading at the time … and I’m sure it hasn’t had any lasting effects on her. Pffft.
What tactics do you use to fit reading time into your hectic schedule?
Lovely post! I read the most during my lunch breaks and while I exercise which adds up to about 1-2 hours a day.
I’m so glad I’m not the only one who reads while exercising! When I say it to people around here, they look at me like I have three heads.
Love it! And just for the record, I think mimosas should be added to any good reading plan. 😉
Can I tell you a secret? I totally prefer good old-fashioned Mike’s Hard Lemonade and sitting in the shade of a tree. Which doesn’t sound nearly as fancy as mimosas. xD But shhh, we won’t tell anyone.
Hey, I’m open to options. 😂
I think I read like 10 picture books, some of them multiple times today alone… But yes all great points!
Ha, that’s great! I hope they were good (or at least haven’t driven you completely mad yet?).
I read a lot on the train and I’m trying to read before bed every night. But sometimes I’m so tired that it’s not possible .
Trains are great places to read! I forget about that, because we don’t have trains or buses here. I definitely hear you on that one. I did manage to squeeze in some reading before bed last night, even though I was exhausted, but if it had been a week day, I wouldn’t have. Sometimes, you can only do so much, and that’s okay, too. 😉