How to Make Time to Read BY Victoria B.

Perhaps you’re in school, and between all your classes and activities, you can barely find time to do the assigned reading, let alone read all the books on your TBR shelf. Or maybe you’re out of school, and you’re discovering that adult life is a lot more time consuming than you thought it would be. All those books you assumed you’d finally have time to read are only on your mind when you look at them with regret at the end of a long day of struggling. If you have a few free moments at the end of the day, your brain is likely so friend you cannot even fathom comprehending anything more complex than Parks and Rec. I totally get it. You’re not alone. So I’ve compiled a list of methods that have worked for me when trying to fit reading into my crazy schedule.

1. Go to sleep early.

If you’re like me, your brain is dead by the end of the day. You cannot take in more words. You just want to watch funny YouTube videos and scroll through Pinterest. But I recommend you try to get to sleep as early as possible. Check the websites you care about checking, and then go to sleep. This will allow you to wake up earlier. A great time to read is in the hour between when you wake up and when you have to get out of bed. You just had a great night’s sleep, and your brain is ready to wake up with words.

2. Carry your book around with you

Keep it in your bag, or wherever you can easily store it. Whenever you find yourself with a short break, whether it’s ten minutes or an hour, open your book and read. You’ll be amazed how much reading you can get done in these short spaces of time.

3. Schedule it into your day

Actually plan your days, and schedule time to read in there. Even if you can’t fit more than a half hour, make sure you know how you’re spending that half hour. If you’ve already figured out how to work it into your day, you’re much more likely to stick to that schedule.

4. Audiobooks

If you commute to work or school (and you have to drive… If you’re a passenger on public transport or something, just read then, come on), listen to an audiobook on the way. It’s not the same as reading the words yourself, and different people have different preferences about how they like to experience stories, but it will definitely help make a dent in your TBR list.

Do you struggle to find time to read during the day? Or do you have a favorite method for working it into your schedule? Let me know in the comments!

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