I love to read. It's one of my favorite ways to spend my free time.
Now, I know what you're all saying. Free time? What's that?
I hear you. Between work and kids and writing and keeping the house from looking like there was an explosion of toys, free time doesn't come easily.
But no matter what we have going on, we need time to recharge our batteries. We need the opportunity to get lost in a great story. We deserve to be entertained and inspired.
So how do we find the time.
1. Download the Kindle app on your phone or carry your reader in your purse:
Sure. It's nice to hold a real book in our hands, but sometimes the only chance we have to read is when we're waiting in the dentist's office or in the carpool line (don't forget to look up every now and then to make sure the line isn't moving or someone will honk at you!) I do a lot of my reading while rocking my one-year-old--I know he's getting too old to be rocked. Don't judge. :) Find little moments where you can.
2. Make reading a mini habit:
I love mini habits. They're tiny daily goals that seem small and simple but help us form positive habits in our lives. Why not make it your goal to read 5 minutes per day or one page per day. Some days you'll end up reading only one page, and some days you might finish three chapters. Either way, it will make reading a daily part of your life.
3. Read books you actually enjoy:
Trying to read all the classics you hated in high school? Forcing yourself to get through the book your coworker loves but you think is boring? Why? Life is too short to read books you don't enjoy. If you're three chapters in and you'd rather load the dishwasher than read, find something new.
4. Read a page before you open up social media:
About to check Facebook, challenge yourself to read a page first. If the book is good (see #3), you'll usually find that the desire to keep reading outweighs reading a post from somebody you haven't spoken to since high school.
5. Make reading a group activity:
Join a book club. Find a friend who likes the same kind of books as you and read the same book simultaneously. Designate a "reading time" at home when you turn off the television and have everyone spend 15 to 30 minutes reading whatever book they're working on. It not only gets you reading, but it gets others to read too!
