Rediscovering the Joy of Reading: Make Time for Books Again

Hi there,

Welcome to another edition of Evolve.

A lot of us don't read, and that's a problem. We get so caught up with life day to day and forget that to expand, we need to expose ourselves to new information and fresh perspectives about life.

I’ve been there too.

Lately, I realized how occupied I’ve become and how I’ve neglected the simple joy of picking up a new book.

The Benefits of Reading

Reading is more than just a hobby; it’s a tool that challenges our thoughts and exposes us to new information.

Here are some benefits of incorporating reading into your daily routine:

• Mental Stimulation: Reading keeps your brain active and engaged, which can slow down cognitive decline as you age.

• Stress Reduction: Immersing yourself in a good book can help you escape the stresses of daily life, providing a welcome distraction and reducing stress.

• Knowledge Expansion: Every book you read opens up new avenues of knowledge, helping you understand the world and its complexities better.

• Vocabulary Expansion: Regular reading can significantly expand your vocabulary and improve your language skills.

• Improved Focus and Concentration: Reading requires focus and concentration, which can translate to better attention span in other areas of your life.

• Better Writing Skills: Exposure to well-written content can enhance your own writing abilities, making you a more effective communicator.

My New Reading Routine

With all these benefits in mind, I decided to set a fixed time for my reading: 10 - 10:45 PM, just before bed. This routine ensures that I read daily without having to figure out when to fit it in. It’s a small but significant step towards making reading a consistent part of my life again.

Having a fixed time for reading eliminates the need to decide when to read each day, making it easier to build the habit. Plus, reading before bed helps me wind down and prepare for a good night's sleep.

Making Reading a Daily Habit

If you’ve been actively reading, that’s fantastic!

Keep it up.

But if you’ve been struggling to find time, consider setting a specific time each day for your reading.

It doesn’t have to be long—just enough to make it a daily habit.

This simple change can help you stay committed and make reading a regular part of your routine.

Here are a few tips to help you get started:

• Choose a time that works best for you: It could be in the morning, during lunch breaks, or before bed. This is the first step in getting anything done.

• Start with a goal: Aim to read for a set amount of time each day, even if it’s just 10-15 minutes.

• Keep a book with you: Having a book on hand makes it easier to squeeze in reading time whenever you have a few free moments. If you do more of soft copy, keep one with you and close up other apps during your reading time. The issue with soft copies is how easy it is to get distracted.

• Join a book club or reading group: This can provide motivation and make reading a more social activity.

So, let’s make a pact to rediscover the joy of reading together.

Whether it’s fiction, non-fiction, or anything in between, let’s make time to immerse ourselves in new worlds and ideas.

Your mind will thank you for it.

With you on this journey,

Uthman