Finding More Time for Reading in a Ridiculously Busy Day!

Quote About Reading by Dr. Seuss

Okay, maybe instead of titling this one something like “Finding time to read,” I should have said “Making time to read..” because that’s exactly what has to happen, isn’t it? We always have to MAKE time because we certainly aren’t going to FIND extra time lying around somewhere.

If only!

The world has become such a fast-paced machine these days and people aren’t just busy, they’re crazy busy, so I’m going to begin taking that more into consideration on the self help blog. I will try to confine my articles and posts to a reasonable, “read at one sitting” style and break content up with lists and graphics.

If you’re like me, you made your resolutions and goals for 2023 and are, by now, finding things that work and didn’t work in making these goals and resolutions a reality. One of my resolutions that I kind of had to grapple with was “Read more.”

You have to set aside time when it comes to reading – I mean, you don’t want noise or distractions when you’re trying to spend a little time with a great book. Problem is, when your day is pretty full to begin with, there’s very little time to simply set aside.

Below are a few suggestions that have worked for me and I hope at least one of them is helpful to you as well:

1. It’s pretty obvious, but getting up a little earlier than usual can be the secret.  When it came to having enough time for Bible reading and Bible study (something that absolutely calls for as few distractions as possible.. especially the Old Testament and Revelation!), I decided to set my iPhone alarm app for 30 minutes earlier. Worked like an absolute charm. I now have 30 whole minutes that I’ve “found” to devote entirely to Bible reading and study. The quite, still house is the perfect setting and I look forward to it each and every day.
2. If you have several books you’re reading at once, keep them in different locations. I am always, always, always reading more than one book at any given time. I read a LOT of old Hollywood biographies (for enjoyment and for information for my old Hollywood blog and old Hollywood Twitter page) and am always in the beginning, middle, or end of at least 3. On top of these, I am always reading at least one Inspirational book from one of my favorite authors. I don’t keep the books I’m currently reading in one spot but, rather, keep one or two throughout the house – this way, if I find myself sitting in the den for 15 minutes, for example – the book beside my favorite chair is always waiting for me. I always keep one in the kitchen, as well, to “knock out” a chapter while keeping an eye on what’s cooking.
3. Don’t squander time! Another one that’s painfully simple but, quite frankly, can prove useful. I had a simple little game on my phone that I was all but addicted to. It was sort of a little puzzle game and was apparently designed with the goal of getting its visitors completely hooked! It occurred to me one day that I had spent over 30 minutes on that app that day alone… and it was only 2:00 in the afternoon. I replaced the time that I would normally, mindlessly, devote to this game with reading and finished two books in one week. WITH SOMETHING TO SHOW FOR IT.. unlike playing a mindless little game.
4. This could probably fall under the category above, but think about the time you spend on social media, reading about this person’s opinion on that, that person’s opinion on this… what this person had for lunch.. where that person went on vacation… and goodness knows we have to read every detail about Gary’s keto journey. How could we not?!  Like a silly little game, this time absolutely adds up and could easily be, at the very least, cut in half and replaced with reading. One easy way to cut back on time is this, how many social media accounts do you have? Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Linked In, Pinterest… if you have one of each, maybe ask yourself is that’s absolutely necessary?! I mean, I only have Twitter and Instagram and yet I know they take more of my time than I should be willing to let them have. Cutting back at least a little can open up a lot more time for reading or anything else that will actually benefit your health – mental, Spiritual, and physical.

Finding more time for reading is actually a work in progress for me, so when I find other tricks or tips that work for me, I’ll scamper back here and add them!

Make each moment count double! ~ Joi (“Joy”)