Reading with a Side of Life

(How I find Time to Read)

Let’s be honest-most reading routines are complete trash. Wake up at 5am. Drink some green tea. Stretch. Read for an hour. Drink plenty of water. Journal for an hour. Shower. Get ready for work. Get the kids ready for school. Make breakfast. Feed the kids. Take the kids to school. Walk the dog. Meditate. Then go to work-all by 8am.

This isn’t that kind of routine. This is how I actually read as a busy woman. With a life, responsibilities, and days where I maybe have ten minutes to myself. I tend to read over a hundred books a year. And that is not a brag by any means in my opinion. I think you should give yourself a big pat on the back if you can even read one short story a year. To each their own. But I do hear from a lot of different people that they wish that they wish they read more. Well-this is how I do it. Take it or leave what ever suggestion given.

1. I Stopped Waiting for the “Perfect Time”

There is no perfect time to read. Having long and uninterrupted reading blocks is near impossible in my life so I read in small pockets at time. For example I will read:

• While the coffee brews
• Waiting in the pick up line at school
• In line at Wal-Mart
• Waiting for the bathroom
• While cooking dinner
• Brushing my teeth
• Doing my make-up

I think you get the point. Finding that little pocket of time where no one is demanding anything from you. But wait-how do you read while getting ready in the morning?

2. I Use Multiple Formats (this is key)

I use multiple tools to read. And if you say that audio books are not reading…I ask you this-

I use:

• Audible
• KindleUnlimited
• Physical books (I am a slut for Date-with-a-Book)
• Hoopla
• NetGalley
• Sent Books to Read via Email

Why multiple tools matters: Reading isn’t just sitting with a book anymore. I love reading on my Kindle app while waiting at the doctor’s office or in a line. I use Audible while playing video games or getting ready in the morning. Same for Hoopla. I love to use NetGalley when I get selected to read books before they have even been put out into the world. And I read a physical book when I am chilling with my kiddo while he watches SpongeBob or I walk around on lunch with a book in my hand getting my steps in and the sun on my face. This often how I read more than one book at a time.

The important part is making it where you always have a book with you. This is where Kindle really comes in handy because I can pop in some ear buds for an audiobook or I can read on my phone. Easy peasy.

3. I Romanticize the Small Moments

Every small moment that I have to read I make the absolute most of it. I think it is alot easier standing in line if you have something to look forward too. Waiting isn’t as infuriating as it once was. I almost celebrate those moments now because I get to read-which is something that I love to do.

I also love lighting a candle, sitting down with a beer, ignoring my phone, and just reading a book. Each page a moment of peace. Even if it’s just ten minutes. Beauty is given page by page.

4. Get Rid of Reading Rules

Reading is like a diet in my brain. If I tell myself I can not have bread, I have to drink a gallon of water a day, and I can’t do a billion other things-I will most likely fail my diet because there are too many rules.

If I do not finish a book-I don’t finish it. Period. Do I feel guilt? No, because it is the few minutes of my day that I get to myself and I am not going to spend it miserable trying to force myself to finish a book I am not interested in nor is giving my brain the serotonin that it craves. I also read what I am in the mood for. Another reason I tend to read more than one book at a time. It is not unusual for me to read a dark romance and a comedy at the same time.

My mood changes like I change my clothes-so why would I think my interest stay the same? Sometimes I do get in the mood for just Thrillers and that is okay too. Do what makes you happy. Try new genre’s that you never read before and you may surprise yourself. Doing this also really helps with getting out of a reading slump.

5. I Always Have a “Low-Effort” Book Going

What do I mean by “low-effort”? The book is easy. Catchy. Down right addictive. Something that I want to read. For me (you may be different) if a book starts with a content warning…I will most likely finish the book in just a few days. And that is okay. For you-it may be a small town rom-com about pumpkin spice and love at first sight. One of my friends-Let’s call her T-Bone, likes to read these kinds of books:

My other friend-Let’s call her Morgana tends to like these kinds of books BUT said this one also freaked her out:

My cousin Donita (ha-ha) calling your ass out with allll the love- Introduced me to Frida McFadden but also reads these kinds of books:

Point is- read what you love. If you start a genre that you normally love but it doesn’t come easy-then DNF. Pick it up next month. Just what ever is easy and brings you peace.

6. I Don’t Read EVERY DAY (and That’s Okay)

Okay-I do read most days. Having an audiobook playing has pretty much taken over listening to music while I clean, cook, or get ready in the morning. But There are some days I do not read at all. I binge watch Real Housewives of Atlanta or have an Adam Sandler movie marathon. And instead of feeling guilty about not meeting a goal, that only I have placed upon myself…I just pick a book the next day. Or the next two days.

Say you have a six month old baby- you can read to them aloud while they are practicing tummy time. Imagine- “the killer was watching her. Wanting her. Waiting for her to make the mistake that he knew she would make…” (you probably read that in your voice or maybe your favorite audio book performer’s voice..right?) Instead sound like your talking to a cute little puppy, with its big ole’ ears, and adorable little beans-all in a baby happy voice. Your kid has no idea what your saying but they are just smiling at your pretty face and happy to get the attention.

Granted-this will change when your kid can actually understand what the hell you are saying but you get the example of what I am saying. Find little times to have a huge impact on your day with your reading schedule.

Bonus Section:

What a real week of reading can look like for you:

• Monday: Audiobook while cleaning
• Tuesday: 5 Pages before bed
• Wednesday: Nothing
• Thursday: Read while waiting for the pizza to be delivered
• Friday: Late-night reading binge
• Saturday: Read a book in the bath
• Sunday: Listen to an audio book while walking the dog around the block.

Conclusion

Reading doesn’t have to look perfect to count. Just like I know I do not have to have a beautifully curated book wall with fairy lights and first edition books to make TikTok book reviews. Life isn’t perfect. Neither does your reading routine have to be. Your life shouldn’t need someone else’s reading routine that doesn’t fit your life.

Below-tell me about your reading routine or tips for reading more.