#reading routine

I have mentioned in a past post on reading tips that ever since I started following a reading routine my reading experience got so much better. I am sure that many people do not need a reading routine, but you might be more like me and benefit from setting habits. I thought it might be interesting to write a bit about what has been my reading routine for the past year or so, since I belive I have followed this routine for a little over a year now.

My reading routine started with a very spefic goal of mine, that turned into one of the bast habits I practiced daily. I wanted to start reading first thing in the morning, instead of spending time in front of my phone. Digital screens and lights are awful for my eyes, and I wanted to get my brain energized in the morning without buring my eyes at 6am. Here's how this whole thing started, I do not eat right away after waking up, so what I have been doing for a little over a year in the morning is to get up, make myself a cup of tea and sit under a blanket drinking my tea while reading a book. I have had so many benefits from implementing this habit, reading in the morning is a great way to slowly activate my brain after waking up, it makes me feel cozy, and as I said it prevents me spanding my first hours in front of a digital screens. It's also a great motivation to get out of bed, because I am excited to continue whatever story I am reading about. I try to read from half an hour to full hour each morning. It varies a lot from day to day, but in general I always get a lot of reading done.

The second chunck of time in which I like to read is on my lunch break. No matter what I have to do, whether I am working or studying in the afternoon, I like to take a bit of time after lunch to sit comfortably and read. Even before having a reading routine, on my first year of university I remember sitting in the university halls near the biggest windows to read a bit after I had my lunch, while I waited for my classes. It's not usually the most productive time, because eating doesn't alwasy make me feel super energizied right away, but it's a really relaxing thing to do. I slowly read for a while, and if I am reading any non-fiction that isn't meant for class it's usually the time of day I do it. I now rarely have lunch on my own, but when I do I often have my book open as I read, mostly because it makes me a little slower while eating, which is something I should learn how to do without external help, but I am far from it.

Lastly the final reading moment I try to have every day is right before bed. Again I want to avoid digital screens before sleeping, so I try to read for at least half an hour. This is by far the least productive moment for reading, and when I can I try to read graphic novels that don't require too much focus.

Aside from this base routine I have other potential reading moments during the day depending on what I am doing:

I like to read when I commute on the bus, even on my shorter rides (the shorter rides I travel on are about 20 minutes long, the longer are around one hour and a half). I used to get car sick, but I have commuted so much on the same streets that I am almost immune to those, so reading is a great past time. If I am particularly tired an audiobook is a great option in those moments.

I have fully merged the habits of listening to audiobooks while going on walks on my own, it's a lovely combo, especially if I am walking in nature. When I was studying from home it was my favourite way to take a break from school work in the mornings.

Other activities like baking/cooking, drawing and crocheting are also often accompanied by audiobooks, I love pairing these things together. And another activity I have often found myself doing while listening to audiobooks have been sudoku puzzles, for some reason the two things work amazingly for my brain. (Additionally doing puzzles is also a great activity to combine an audiobook with, and lately I have been playing a lot of simple logic games while listening to books).

When I am studying at home and my father cooks lunch so I don't have to think about that I like to finish studying around half or three quarters of an hour before eating and I often read a bit in that time.

Similarly I like to sometimes read a bit before dinner, usually something a bit more lighthearted. I feel like this is again a great moment to read graphic novels.

If you are looking to create a reading routine of your own, I would suggest paying attention at your normal daily habits. Often the times of the day your screen time is higher can be a good idea for when to read, but you could also look for activities you have to do like cooking, or cleaning and merge them with listening to an audiobook. I would also recommend having more than one book on your currently reading list, so that depending on the time of day and your levels of energy you can switch. I would never read a non-fiction book before bed, but as I said it's a lovely time for graphic novels. Considering your energy levels it's a great thing not to feel forced to pick a books up. Overall you should read when you feel like doing so, there's no right or wrong if you are enjoying this activity. I really hope this has been of inspiration for someone, and I look forward to hear if anyone tries something similar out, thank you for reading!

For the fanfic asks, let's have:

18. Do you have a fic reading/writing routine?

Thanks!

Thank you for the question 😊

Before health issues & Covid impacted I had a daily writing routine. A set time (usually 3/4 hours) before or after work where I would get my notebook with pen ready so I could type up any ideas I had while out. Then I’d get myself comfy (writing places were sitting on a bed, settee or a local cafe - didn’t have a desk) with snacks & drinks. Then laptop on and write (some of the writing time was also used to daydream the scenes)

Unfortunately a lot has changed and a daily writing routine isn’t practical for me at the moment. Now I write whenever I have the combination of energy and time. Writing places are still a settee or on a bed. No cafes at the moment because of Covid and more importantly money.

I want to start by saying that I am a firm believer that it is not important how much you read. The number of books you have read at the end of the year has no meaning. The thing we should prioritize is the quality of what we read. It's better to have read 3 books you loved in a year, than a hundred of mediocre books you did not enjoy.

This post is mostly for those who want to read more consistently, make more time for reading, people who want to get back into reading after a long time, or to start in the first place.

The idea comes from personal experience, believe it or not I used to hate reading. I despised it. I have quickly mentioned it in previous posts, but I started actually reading out of my own free will when I was 14 or 15 years old. And still after that I have always been (and I still am) an incredibly slow reader, I used to be very inconsistent, and with school and everything, I only really read in the summer months. In these past few years, not only I have truly fallen back in love with reading. I have also, for the first time in my life, created a reading routine that works for me, I started to be more consistent, and overall this has made my reading experience much more enjoyable. I don't think I have the supreme reading routine, and believe me I have a lot of things to learn (like how to avoid my fear of big books, or how to commit to series, or how to get out of my comfort zone, and so on), but here's a few things that have helped me so far.

Set small goals

This is quite a broad point of the list, as it covers different things. Firstly if you want to have a yearly goal, be realistic with it, yes it can be a motivation challenge, but start with smaller goals than you think you can accomplish, it will be more motivational. Secondly, I am a strong believer that monthly, weekly and daily goals are way more effective than yearly ones. I do set yearly goals, and I really enjoy looking back at all the books I read during the year, but to me it's mostly a looking back thing. The goals that actually motivate me are set on the daily and monthly. I keep track of those in my bullet journal (and if anyone is interested in how I use my bullet journal in these regards do tell me, cause I could make a whole post on that). I don't always do monthly TBRs, but I do like to write a few titles to keep me inspired on what I could read at the beginning of the month. I also keep track on whether I read a bit each day. (I only consider reading for fun, as my studying process is usually made up of reading. I keep reading for fun and for university very separated).

Make it a daily habit

Linked to the previous point, one of the best ways to read more, and have a reading routine, is to make an habit out of it. I personally found that after I started to have specific moments of the day for reading I was much more consisten with this habit. I have two main moments during the day, and an optional third one. My personal daily reading routine is to read first thing in the morning and last thing before going to bed. The additional reading time is during my lunch break, sometimes before dinner aswell. Reading first thing in the morning has proved to be expecially good for me. Ever since I started regularly doing it, not only I have read more, but it has improved my morining routine so much. By reading I don't burn my eyes with digital screens as soon as I am awake, I am more motivated to get out of bed, and I found it to be a great way to get my brain to wake up gently. Same thing in the evening, reading can be helpful to wind down, and not starring at you phone or laptop before bed helps your sleeping a lot. Anyway whenever you decide to have reading sessions, the more consistent you are in the time of the day the more likely you are to keep up with the habit, because you are creating a specific moment of the day for that activity. Another important point to make is that your daily reading goal can vary on what you prefer, you could set a timer of half an hour, or simply decide to read a certain numeber of pages in each reading session. I either have an hour limit, or I have goals based on chapters.

Read more books at once

I honestly have no idea how people can read one book at the time, for me it has always been fundamental to have more than one book that I am currently reading. Firstly I am less likely to fall into a reading slump, because I have more than one souce of motivation. Secondly you can choose what is best for you depending on the mood, on how much focus you can put in that precise moment. I highly recommend everyone to try reading more books at once. I also feel that because of the reasons I said I get much more reading done, compared to when I have one single book that I am reading at the moment.

Pick what to read depending on what you feel

Another point to avoid reading slumps. You shouldn't feel forced to read if you are reading for fun (this will come up in the next point aswell). TBRs can be fun, and they can also be useful to motivate you, but they can also be damaging. If you realize that a certain book you planned on reading is not something that you feel excited about, don't force youself. You feel in the mood for a thriller? Pick that up instead, you feel like you need a light hearted book? Pick a children's book, or a graphic novel. If you just got a new book, and you are excited for that you should prioritize that book, and read what was on your TBR when you actually feel in the best mood to enjoy it.

Give up on books you don't like

This is direcly linked to the previous point. If you start a book, and you realize that's not what you expected, or you are not in the mood for it, or simply you don't like it, put it down. You have no obligation to finish the book, DNF it. It's something I still have to learn myself, and I have a goal to get better at it this year. I tend to keep books in my currently reading pile forever, until I finally pick them up again, or I force myself to finish them. I want to prioritize books I actually want to read, so if I start something I don't vibe with I leave it unfinished. Maybe future me will pick it up again, and will actually enjoy it. Or maybe future me won't pick it up, because that book and I aren't meant for each other. The point is stop forcing yourself with reading books you are clearly not enjoying, life it's too short to read books you don't like. "But everyone claims that that specific book is a masterpiece!" well, it might be, but maybe it wasn't meant for you. Also there's way to many so called masterpieces for you to actually read all of them, so give it up if you aren't vibing with it. "But it feels like giving up!" tecnically it is, but I don't see what's the problem with giving up, you are showing you are mature enough to know what you like and what you don't. And no, it's not a waiste of time, because you have now learned that that specific book is something you don't enjoy, so next time you'll know what kind of book to avoid.

Audiobooks

I have said it many times now, but audiobook have been one of the best things I discovered in 2021, and they have improved my reading so much. I adore them. Firstly they keep you company when you are doing other tasks, so you do read more in the end. I like to have one on while I clean, while I cook, and also when I draw or work on bullet journal spreads. They have motivated me a lot with going on more walks, so that's a bonus aswell. Secondly, you can listen to them when you would like to read, but feel too tired to focus on the page. This happens very often to me, since I have a lot of reading to do for uni. At the end of the day I would like to escape with a book, but I feel just too tired. Same thing when I have headaches, and I don't know how to fill my time, I put an audiobook on and just relax. Last but defently not least, have the audiobook on while you are reading the physical copy. As I have said I am a very slow reader, my focus sucks, and generally reading is a huge deal of energy for me. I do love it but it can be tiring, having someone else read the book for me as I follow the words on the page, makes me a quicker reader, and it generally helps a lot. (bonus tip, if you are trying to read a book in a language you are trying to learn this is the supreme method, you simultaniously see and hear the words, and it overall helps a lot).

Buddy read with someone

This, as the last few points on this list, is a great way to stay motivated. You can set goals togheter, and discussing with someone the books as you are reading can be highly motivational. This isn't something I have done often, but it's surely something I would like to try more.

Try small reading challenges

Again something that can help with motivation. You can find so many book challenges online, even here on tumblr. They are helpful because you do end up seeing other people's progress, which can be inspiring, and often it's a way to buddy read a book.

Surround yourself with other readers

If you hear other people talking about reading in a positive enthusiastic way you'll surely be more motivated to pick up a book and read. You can find people in your life, but also people online. Generally is just a great way to keep your interest up, you might find new books that call to you, or you end up discussing books you love with someone. Interacting with other book lovers is always an incredible experience.

you get a reading routine, exercise, and a book all in one

So, how to build a reading routine without the burnout? Sometimes one of the hardest things to do is creating a routine. At least it is for me. There’s so much to do in the day, and I really and truly tend to get distracted a lot. Continue reading How to build a reading routine for fall that actually sticks