In today’s fast-paced world, finding the time to get lost in a good book can feel impossible. With work, kids, and the constant demands of daily life (like laundry - can't they just clean and fold themselves by now?), deep reading feels like a luxury. Yet, entering the world of a well written book can be incredibly invigorating and transforming, even with limited time. Oh how I yearn to read a good book, even while I'm writing this right now. So, how?
Finding the Joy of Escaping into a Book
I feel drained after aimlessly scrolling through social media, and of course the easy dopamine boost feels nice but oh how unfulfilling it feels after I realize how much time I spent on it. It was hard to just stop, so I though why not try to replace the dopamine boost from somewhere else - aka books. I was talking to an old friend that just joined a book club, he talked about a fiction book, a genre of books I haven't read in at least 10 years (I think it was when Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows came out). I've been reading self-help since a long time (a quick side note - even though I learn so much from these books but I feel like it also adds some anxiety). Anyway, the thought of reading Harry Potter as a kid reminded me of how fun and exciting reading can be.
In that moment, I recognized that making time for reading was not just about learning; it was about enriching my life with joy and imagination, perfect dopamine boost replacement I was looking for. I decided to find a way to fit this into my busy routine, and not only did it benefit me, my kid also enjoyed reading more too!
Setting the Right Intentions
You might be thinking, “I hardly have an hour to relax each day!” But that’s where intentions come into play.
I started simple: read just 10 minutes each day. That seems too short! Yeah, so no excuses then, right? Set a timer if you need to, just to end that mental debate saying you don't have time. This small commitment transformed my 'free' time from mindless scrolling to fulfilling excitement and unexpectedly even pride.
Soon, 10 minutes easily turned into 4 hours (ofcourse this one didn't last long because sleep deprivation) and I found myself so eager to continue reading the book again. Other than the engaging story (I read Dune - and yes its amazing), its also me time - my son got the memo and was able to play by himself for 10 minutes, and not too many days after since I started to read longer, he also picked up a book and we both read our own books before bed. He finished a whole Dog Man book in one sitting for the first time while giggling with so much glee, I can't explain how much joy it felt to see that.
The goal for me was not to read a book, it was to fill my time with something fun that fills my soul and the deliberate choice to invest in my own well-being and development, even if for just a short time.
Build a Habit Through Embracing Short Reading Sessions
As a busy professional and mom, long stretches of free time to read felt few and far between. Instead, I embraced short reading sessions whenever I could. Like when my son was taking a shower, or when I was waiting for the microwave to 'ding!', or on the way to a meeting.. you get the gist.
Now, whether I'm waiting for an appointment or on my lunch break, I keep a book or e-reader handy. Just ten minutes of reading can reignite my enthusiasm and provide much-needed joy throughout the day. In fact, studies have shown that even small snippets of reading can enhance mental well-being and reduce stress by up to 68%.
Choosing the Right Book
Choosing the right book is crucial for maintaining your interest especially when you are just kickstarting the habit of reading. Not every book will resonate, and that’s completely normal.
Discover genres you like. If a book gets hard to read, cut your losses and choose something else. I chose Dune as I desperately needed a fiction book and I kid you not it felt like torture to have to put it down. Now that the habit is there, it's much easier to read the books that have been left on the shelf for while.
Other Ideas to Incorporate Reading in Your Day-to-Day
Make a cozy reading environment - This seems nice and all, especially knowing how much environment can get us into the right mood, but my style was to grab any free minutes to read wherever I was so this wouldn't have worked out for me though I love the idea.
Join a book club - I can't seem to justify the time for this, especially when I don't get to choose the book and I might hate it? But I can see how it adds external motivation and the feeling of community, maybe one day!
Reclaiming Joy Through Reading
The ability to do deep reading in our busy lives is not a pastime; it's achievable with practice and building the muscle for it. Books also foster brain development, so isn't that just dandy. In our fast-paced world, prioritizing these small joys is also transformative.
If you feel overwhelmed, remember that you don't need hours to read. Just a few stolen moments can lead to enjoyable experiences and profound insights. Build up your reading habit and carve out time for joy. Your mind, heart, and soul will celebrate this enriching journey. Embracing reading as a tiny yet significant escape can transform your life for the better.
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