Confession time: I’m struggling to make time for reading at the moment. I’m an English graduate who works in publishing—I love books! But since getting a full-time job and switching a train commute for one in the car, I’m reading less than ever.
I know I should be reading, but I’m not.
I wonder how many of you resonate with that. We love reading, we know it’s good for us, but for some reason, it just doesn’t happen. Whether you feel like you just don’t have the time or you find it easier to reach for your phone over a book, read on…
This week I’m planning to make an effort to read more. I’m going to practise what I preach and attempt to read a bit more. Why don’t you try it too and we’ll see how we get on!
Read before bed. Go to bed 15 minutes earlier, read a chapter of your book. This one requires discipline if you’re a bedtime routine faffer like myself.
Snatch moments during the day. Can you read on your commute? Do it. Reading on your lunch break is a great way to properly switch off during an hour away from your desk. I bet it’ll make your afternoon more productive than if you didn’t take a break as well.
Don’t leave the house without a book. What items do you never leave the house without? Keys, phone, wallet? You never know when you might find an opportunity to read. So add a book to that list! Or even more challenging, take a book instead of your phone...
Join a book club. Book clubs will motivate you to actually read something and help you to meet people in your local area. I just did a quick google of book clubs near me and found one that meets monthly in a pub nearby. I’m planning to go along next month.
Switch your reading. It’s actually not true to say that I can’t find time for reading at the moment. In all honesty, I’m reading all the time. I read Instagram captions, news headlines, product reviews, blogs, restaurant menus, emails, to do lists. I still read, but I don’t read books. And those things aren’t bad in and of themselves. But when they replace our enjoyment of a good book, that’s cause for concern. Next time I reach to scroll Instagram or news headlines, I’m going to try and read my book instead.
What are your top tips for making time for reading? Yesterday, our Editorial Director shared the 4 things he looks for in a good book, read it here.
We launched #RenewYourMind to encourage everyone to pick up a Christian book this summer. We’ve created a short film, we’re discounting some brilliant titles and we’re sharing stories of our favourite Christian books to get you excited about reading! Take a look
Eleanor is a Digital Marketing Assistant for The Good Book Company. She studied English Literature at the University of Birmingham and interned in a handful of different publishing houses before joining the company.
