Ask any mom when she last read an entire book, and chances are she can’t remember. As busy wives and mothers, we rarely have time to just sit with a good book and read. Though many of us have goals to read more, we just don’t know how to squeeze it in. Here are some tips on how to read more books when you don’t have time.
Why read more?
Most of us want to read more books because we want to improve ourselves, or we want an escape from reality. Perhaps you want a little of both. And who can blame you? Moms today are surrounded by influences that say we need to be better parents, make time for self-care, be good wives, etc. I’m not saying that we need to constantly compare ourselves to others, but there are always things we can improve in our lives.
Reading for pleasure is one of my absolute favorite pastimes, and also the one I struggle most to make time to enjoy. There’s something to be said for losing yourself in a good book. You know, the one you can’t put down? The one you look up and realize it’s two in the morning, but you have to read “just one more chapter”? As moms, that kind of reading is a luxury we rarely feel we can afford. There are just so many other things that seem more important.
Why is it hard to read more books?
As mentioned above, reading is one activity that really triggers the mom guilt. I often feel guilty about even considering picking up a book during the day. As a stay-at-home mom, I struggle to justify reading (especially for pleasure) while my husband is working to provide for our family.
It’s also hard to make time to read. Honestly, reading is pretty far down on the list of things I absolutely need to do in the day. I mean, there’s laundry to fold, dishes to do, bathrooms to clean, children to feed, and a hubby to support. It always seems like there’s something more important.
So why even bother to read more books?
We’ve established that it’s stinkin’ hard to find time to read. So why even bother? Well, your brain needs a break from the constant busyness of day-to-day life. If reading is your hobby, you desperately need to make time for it.
It’s also important to stretch your imagination (pleasure reading) and mind (self-help reading). Perhaps you enjoy getting lost in a historical novel. Or maybe you want to learn a new skill or hone a character trait.
How to read more books when time is precious
Now that I’ve convinced you it’s okay to make time to read, let’s figure out exactly how to make it a reality.
First, make it a priority
I recently listened to a podcast episode that stressed making your goals priorities. It’s easy to say, “Oh darn, I didn’t read today. There’s always tomorrow.” And while it’s good to allow yourself some grace, this type of thinking will not help you read more books.
Make reading a priority by setting aside time each day to actually do it. It doesn’t even have to be a long stretch of time. Start with just ten minutes and schedule it into your day. I’m a night owl, so I schedule my reading time right before bed. And honestly, it’s not usually more than half an hour because, uh, sleep.
Second, set the mood
This doesn’t work for everyone, and you may not have time to do this, but setting the mood will help you read more books. Grab a cup of (hot) coffee, find your comfy chair in your mom-space, and get to reading. Again, it doesn’t have to be a long session. Read for just as long as it takes to finish your coffee and then move on with your day.
Third, track your progress
I recently learned that, though we’ve been taught it takes between twenty-one and thirty days to form a habit, it’s actually closer to sixty. If you want to read more books, consider tracking your reading so you can make it a daily habit.
Many people use a bullet journal to track their reading habits. Some track them in their planner. But if you’re really strapped for time, consider just marking a red x on the calendar to track the days you read. There’s something satisfying about making that little mark, and it’s cool to see them add up on your monthly or yearly calendar. Challenge yourself to see how long you can go without breaking the chain of x’s!
Fourth, set a timer
If you struggle with finding time to read more books, try reading in small increments. Set a timer for ten or fifteen minutes and read until it goes off. Don’t be discouraged if you only read for a short time each day. Those few minutes are more than you would have read otherwise!
Fifth, keep a book journal
I came across this idea a while back and absolutely love it. Sometimes, especially if your goal is to ready a set amount of books in a specific period of time (ex., a year), it’s hard to remember what you’ve read. Make a book journal to keep track of everything you read. When you finish a book, very quickly write down a one or two-page summary of the book. It’s fun to look back and see your thoughts on what you read!
Sixth, balance pleasure and self help
Some people get burnt out when they read too many of one type of book and then just put off reading for a while, letting other things in the schedule take over. Combat reading fatigue by balancing the type of book you read. Try alternating between fiction and non-fiction/self-help. But of there’s a book you’re just dying to read, don’t wait until it comes up in the rotation!
Finally, take advantage of modern technology
E-books and E-readers
E-books and e-readers have made it even easier to read more books. There are e-books on virtually any subject you can possibly imagine, and they are incredibly easy to access. They also have great storage and sure beat packing multiple books when traveling or just on the go.
Audio books
I prefer actually reading books and listening to podcasts, but if you absolutely have no time and want to get more books in, consider listening to audiobooks. Many local libraries have programs where you can actually borrow audiobooks and listen right on your phone! Listen to audiobook while you fold laundry, do dishes, walk the dog, or any other time you would normally be listening to silence or music.
My recommended tools
If you want to use technology to read more books, consider a subscription to Kindle Unlimited. This service allows you unlimited reading from over one million e-books and unlimited listening from thousands of audio books. I love Kindle because you don’t necessarily have to have a Kindle product to read. Just download the app and read from any device.
If you want a good e-reader, though, I absolutely love my Kindle Paperwhite. The texture and backlight feels more like a real book, and I can purchase new reading materials right from the device. If you’d rather listen to audio books, consider subscribing to Audible !
So make some time for you, mama. It is possible to read more books when you don’t have time. Even if it’s just a few minutes a day, schedule time to read. Grab a cup of coffee or tea and just sit for a few moments. Strike a healthy balance between reading for pleasure and for self-help. Keep a journal to track your progress and remember that reading just one page today is better than not reading at all.
