How to Cultivate a Reading Habit
“Read more” is perennially one of the top self-improvement habits people try to commit to — as a New Year’s resolution or any time during the year — and rightly so! Reading broadens the mind, expands the senses, builds empathy, and entertains, all in one neat, portable package.
If you’d like to start or increase a reading habit here are a few Mrs Blackwell’s Village Bookshop approved tips:
Find a good book.
This may sound remarkably simple, but for many, a love of reading was beaten out of them in school when they were forced to read books they didn’t like.
If you’re trying to start up a reading habit, perhaps for the first time in your adult life, the key is to remember the joy of reading. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking you “should” read something hefty, classic, or intellectual if that’s not where your true interests lie.
Unsure where to start? Look to your other media consumption for a clue. Is there a film you loved that was based on a book? If you listen to true crime podcasts, you might enjoy true crime books or fictional mysteries. Love to watch fluffy romances on demand? Try a cozy romance novel.
And if you’re still stymied, come in to Mrs Blackwell’s and ask one of our friendly book clerks to suggest something.
Set times to read.
At the beginning, you will want to schedule reading time. Maybe you decide to read for a few minutes when you first wake up, during your lunch break, or before you go to bed. Start small by planning to read for 5-10 minutes at a time.
B.J. Fogg, in his book, Tiny Habits suggests that the best way to build a new habit is to trigger it with an existing habit. For example, your new reading habit might be triggered by sitting down to eat lunch, changing into your pyjamas, or finding your seat on the train.
Always carry a book.
There are many opportunities to read during the day — if you’re prepared to take advantage of them. You might be able to read on your commute, while waiting in line, in waiting rooms, between appointments, at restaurants, etc. But the key is to have a book with you. Paperbacks are conveniently sized, or an e-reader on your phone or tablet might also be a good solution if you have the fortitude not to allow other apps to distract you!
Set a goal.
If you’re goal-oriented, set a goal for how many minutes or pages you’ll read each day, or how many books you’d like to read this year. Be sure your goals aren’t too ambitious, or you may find yourself giving up before you get started. Sharing your goal with others can be a great way to build accountability into your goals.
Join a book club.
While we’re on the subject of accountability, a book club can be a great way to motivate yourself to read, try new books, and meet new people. Starting a book club of your own, find an existing one in your local network.
Read to your children.
If you have kids, it’s universally acknowledged that reading aloud to them is key to building literacy skills and a lifelong love of reading. There’s nothing wrong with starting your reading habit with picture books or your favourites from your childhood — it all counts.
Reduce screen time.
If finding time to read is difficult, you may need to cut something else out, and screen time — be it via television, computer, or smartphone — is a prime contender. In the book Digital Minimalism, the author shares tips for clearing out a bunch of apps and social media to make room for more high quality leisure like reading. Reaching for your phone could also become a trigger to reach for a book instead.
Keep a list of books you want to read.
The feeling of finishing one amazing book and then realising you have nothing else to read is to be avoided at all costs. Start a running list of books you might want to read.
Plan library, bookshop, and reading days.
As part of making reading a true pleasure, I recommend making dates with yourself to support your new habit. Plan when you will visit your local library or bookshop to stock up on reading materials (and be sure to note the due dates in your calendar!). Plan out an entire day or afternoon dedicated just to the pleasure of reading.
Reward yourself.
For some, the habit of reading will be reward in and of itself. For others, you may need to find ways to encourage yourself to keep up with a reading habit. Try savouring a favourite daily treat — your first cup of tea or coffee, a glass of wine, or a fine piece of chocolate — while reading; your brain will start to associate that pleasure with reading over time. Or perhaps you’ll set a reward for when you reach certain goals. May we suggest a beautiful new hardcover as a delightful reading reward?
Whatever your reasons or goals, developing a reading habit is a satisfying way to add a little joy and a measure of self improvement to every day.
