Remember the days of curling up with a good book? You could spend hours alone – but feel surrounded by the adventure in the pages, the details of the characters. When you went out with friends or to a party, you’d somehow find a fellow bibliophile and chat about books all night. But as you eased out of college and your early professional career, you might have found you just don’t read much anymore and you certainly don’t chat about them with friends as much anymore either.
Free time has become a thing of the past – and the little time you have is spent catching up with friends or your new favorite Netflix series. You’ve got a lot on your plate, but reading can be an incredibly helpful self care method. If you’ve been wanting to get into reading again (it is a new year after all), we’ve got five ways that you might not have considered.
Make it Part of Your Mindfulness Routine
We know you’re busy, so reading can feel like just one more thing to add to your to-do list and one more thing that you might not achieve. However, if you’ve got a mindfulness routine, we encourage you to think of reading as part of it. Mix up your yoga and meditation practice by adding a night of reading. Make yourself a cup of tea, find a quiet place, be still, and lose yourself in a book.
Read With Friends
Skip the dinner and ask them to come over and read. They’re probably looking for more time to get back into reading as well, so why not combine? Invite them over or meet at a coffee shop. You can still catchup before and discuss your books as you read. Read the same book or choose different ones if your preferences differ.
Combine it With Another Hobby
Like to listen to podcasts? Listen to a podcast about literature. Like to wind down with a glass of wine after a day’s work? Make it a bit more productive with a book. Love bubble baths? Invest in a stand for your bathtub and bring a book along. Or read a book about your favorite hobby – whether it’s yoga, writing, or cooking.
Join a Subscription Book Service
Subscription services are thriving and there’s plenty of book clubs popping up. Have a browse around and find one that seems the best fit for you. There are ones that feature celebrity picks, ones that turn books into cocktail recipes, and ones for specific genres.
Stay in Bed – With a Book
Rather than just giving yourself an extra hour or so to lie in bed on Saturday or Sunday morning, set your alarm – but don’t force yourself to get up. Instead, relax and treat yourself to a longer time in bed. It’s the perfect way to be productive without too much effort and will make you feel great for the rest of the day.
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I’ve been wanting to read more in the new year, and I think these are all great suggestions. I really like the idea of meeting up at a coffee shop and reading with friends. It’s a great way to all hold yourselves accountable.
-Helen
http://www.sweethelengrace.com
I really like this post, as a kid and teenager I was such a massive bookworm but now I’m 21 reading is something I practically never do anymore. I do miss it but at the same time I find getting back into is so difficult x
http://www.taintedblues.co.uk
Great readings and I have already such a big list of books to read! All about fashion, branding and marketing!
She Walks Blog
I love staying in bed with a book. And I also like going for a coffee , on my own, and just sit and read a book whilst drinking a nice, hot drink. Oh, the joys.
The Lisa’s World
I always go to be a little earlier and read for 40 minutes. It’s my fave!
Sarah | More Than Adored
I try to read a chapter or two every night before bed.. I wish I had more time.. but i’ll take what I can get.
http://www.henatayeb.blogspot.com
I love your suggestions! It feels like when we do have time to read, we drawn to our phones and end up wasting that valuable time xx
https://twentysomethingteacherlife.blogspot.co.uk/
Love the idea of inviting friends over to read! Never thought about doing that before but I know just the friend who would be up for that 🙂
N x
http://www.whatnaomiwrote.blogspot.co.uk