How to read even when you don’t have time

We probably all want to be the kind of person that reads books often. But, if you’re anything like me, then you might not always have the time to read. However, making time for reading is super easy! Take it from me – last year, I barely read any books. In spite of that, this year I’ve set myself the goal of reading at least 50 books, and I’m smashing it (so humble, I know) – even though I’ve got school, assignments, ECAs, and other projects. Read on to find out how I read even when I don’t have the time, and maybe some of these tips will help you!

Multitask

Normally, multitasking is a bad thing. However, when it comes to reading, multitasking can be super beneficial! Now, I’m not saying that you have to read and do your homework at the same time. What I mean is that whenever you’re doing something that requires little to no brain power – like eating breakfast or brushing your teeth – read at the same time. You’ll be suprised at how much extra reading time you’ll have!

“Read” audiobooks

If you still don’t have time to read, you can download audiobooks – Audible is my favourite website for this! The reason that audiobooks are so beneficial is because you can read them whenever you have a spare moment, since they’re so accessible. As well as this, you can multitask even more! You can read when you’re washing dishes, working out, or walking to school.

Carry a book with you

Although it might seem like a burden at first, carrying around a book is one of the best ways you can read even when you don’t have time. You’ll be surprised at how many free moments you’ll have to read, even if you only get to read a page or two. As well as this, it’s a great conversation starter! When I began carrying around a book, tons of people talked to me about my taste in books!

Set reading goals

If you ever want to do anything, then you have to set a goal. If you want to read more often, then you need to make it a goal! You can use the Storygraph to set your annual reading goal, and it’ll help you stay on track. The average American read 12 books a year – that’s a low bar to cross! Make it a goal to read more than the average American!

Read instead of using your phone

The average daily usage of social media is 2 hours and 27 minutes. Allowing for 30 minutes of social media use every day, by replacing the majority of your social media time with a book, you could read 87.6 books a year (source: me and my calculator). Even if you don’t replace all your social media time with reading, you’ll still read a lot of books! And be honest, do you really enjoy scrolling through Instagram for hours on end? Or would you rather read an engaging book?

Schedule reading time

The best, most fool-proof way to have more time for reading is simply by scheduling some time. Find a time at which you can read everyday (for at least 15 minutes), and read. Put it in your calendar too, to make it official – just make sure that you set aside some time everyday to read a little. This way, it’ll become a habit, and you’ll definitiely be able to read more often!