How to get into the habit of reading again

[Anonymous]

I’m spending too much time on my phone reading twitter and doom scrolling on TikTok. I’d like to substitute this with reading actual books and allowing my brain to think and process information. How do you guys manage in such a distracting digital world?

[Anonymous]

I adjusted my bedtime routine in order to make time for reading in the evening. I needed a sort of shock to the system to get me off my phone, so I started doing yoga in the evening and then taking a shower afterwards -- the combo makes me feel calm and relaxed and I'm able to pick up my book instead of my phone after.

Also sleeping better, in part because I'm not scrolling right up until I turn out the light.

I don't have a commute but my DH does and he commits to reading during the morning commute and gets 30 minutes that way (he takes the train). On the way home he often scrolls, but if the book is good he might read then too.

In my 20s I always read during the metro or bus commute to work, and then I'd read while eating lunch every day, and then I'd read another 30 minutes at bedtime. That was the best. I'd love to get back to that.

[Anonymous]

I started with a book 15 minutes a day, every day. Now I'm up to a half hour a day. Goal is by November 1 an hour a day.

Pre-Covid I easily read 2-3 hours a day - an hour during lunch, and then one or two hours before bed. Now I don't take a lunch hour and just use social media so it's killed my attention span. But it's like a muscle, and I'm building it back up. You can too.

[Anonymous]

This year my resolution was to read 2 books per month and I have actually read my 24 books for the year already and am excited to read more. Having a goal helped, I also kept track of what I read and would take little notes on what I thought of each book.

It really changed a lot for me. I felt that my attention span increased and my thinking was at a higher quality, if that makes sense.

[Anonymous]

You commit to a goal per day---be it a number of pages or a set amount of time for reading---and stick with it. Put your phone , laptop, etc. in another room so it doesn't distract you while you're reading.

I had to force myself to do this to get a reset, and I found myself back in a place where I can really get into books again.

[Anonymous]

Agree with setting a goal. That helped me a few years ago. I started with a pretty simple goal - one book a month, and then increased it. For me that worked better than a daily goal but obviously that’s very individual.

[Anonymous]

In a bit of a break from the other advice, I would worry less about goals, and start with fun reads and a frictionless format (e.g. audiobook, Libby borrows). Whatever your preferred genre or style in whatever the easiest format for your lifestyle may be. E.g., what have your past favorite authors written recently, what's about to be made into a movie you want to see, etc.

I was in a huge (like 5+ year) reading hiatus, and only really began to read again after the height of the pandemic. My first instinct was to aim for the really meaty, challenging books (e.g. all the award winners I had felt guilty about not reading for a decade). That basically went nowhere. It was only when I started reading (or really listening, as it was) to compelling books in a favorite genre that I picked up speed. Now, several years later, I'm back to the Nat'l Book Award shortlist (among many other reads) but that was a terrible place to start!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In a bit of a break from the other advice, I would worry less about goals, and start with fun reads and a frictionless format (e.g. audiobook, Libby borrows). Whatever your preferred genre or style in whatever the easiest format for your lifestyle may be. E.g., what have your past favorite authors written recently, what's about to be made into a movie you want to see, etc.

I was in a huge (like 5+ year) reading hiatus, and only really began to read again after the height of the pandemic. My first instinct was to aim for the really meaty, challenging books (e.g. all the award winners I had felt guilty about not reading for a decade). That basically went nowhere. It was only when I started reading (or really listening, as it was) to compelling books in a favorite genre that I picked up speed. Now, several years later, I'm back to the Nat'l Book Award shortlist (among many other reads) but that was a terrible place to start!

+1. I think this is the best advice. For example, to get yourself off DCUM, you have to find a book that is as easy to stop and restart as a website and is written for engagement, not to win literary award.

[Anonymous]

I am trying to replace scrolling on my phone before bed with reading a book instead. I feel calmer when I do this and sets me up for a more peaceful sleep.

[Anonymous]

I am sitting here with a book beside me mindlessly scrolling thru DCUM.

[Anonymous]

I get in bed about 45 min before lights out and only read books during that time— no phone scrolling in bed. I’ve found I sleep so much better that way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In a bit of a break from the other advice, I would worry less about goals, and start with fun reads and a frictionless format (e.g. audiobook, Libby borrows). Whatever your preferred genre or style in whatever the easiest format for your lifestyle may be. E.g., what have your past favorite authors written recently, what's about to be made into a movie you want to see, etc.

I was in a huge (like 5+ year) reading hiatus, and only really began to read again after the height of the pandemic. My first instinct was to aim for the really meaty, challenging books (e.g. all the award winners I had felt guilty about not reading for a decade). That basically went nowhere. It was only when I started reading (or really listening, as it was) to compelling books in a favorite genre that I picked up speed. Now, several years later, I'm back to the Nat'l Book Award shortlist (among many other reads) but that was a terrible place to start!

+1. I think this is the best advice. For example, to get yourself off DCUM, you have to find a book that is as easy to stop and restart as a website and is written for engagement, not to win literary award.

Yes, you'll know you're "back" as a reader when you stay up way too late one night with a page turner. It's hard to compete with your phone or DCUM if reading is just an enriching chore. The point is to remember a great book is also a heckuva good time.

[Anonymous]

Kindle on the phone.

+ A really good book.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This year my resolution was to read 2 books per month and I have actually read my 24 books for the year already and am excited to read more. Having a goal helped, I also kept track of what I read and would take little notes on what I thought of each book.

It really changed a lot for me. I felt that my attention span increased and my thinking was at a higher quality, if that makes sense.

You definitely need a cookie

[Anonymous]

I joined a book club at my local library.