This month, I’m making it a habit to read at least one chapter in a book every day. I didn’t always love reading, and thought reading was a waste of time. But I changed my habits and started reading every single day and now I am obsessed with books and reading.
If you’re like a lot of people, you’ve probably read a book or two in your life. But have you ever wondered what it takes to be a real “bookworm,” reading dozens of books every year?
If you think it’s out of reach for someone who isn’t naturally inclined to read, think again! There are simple habits that anyone can start cultivating that will make reading as much of a habit for them as brushing their teeth is for the rest of us. The days when we stayed up all night lost in the pages of our favorite books might seem long-gone, but with some focus and creativity, they can come back. So if you’d like to develop a love affair with words (or re-kindle an old one), try these tips:
1. Make reading a habit, like brushing your teeth or taking a shower.
There’s nothing more satisfying than finishing a good book. However, it can be hard to get into the habit of reading every day if you’re not used to it. If you’re trying to set up new habits in your life, try making reading one of them! Make it an important part of your daily routine—it doesn’t have to be anywhere near as time-consuming or demanding as taking a shower or brushing your teeth might be, but it should still become something that’s just as much a part of your day as washing up.
2. Make time for reading every day.
Reading is one of the best ways to learn and grow as a person. It’s also an enjoyable pastime that can help you relax when you need to unwind. In order for reading to be effective, though, it’s important to make time for it every day—and not just any random time, but a specific amount of time that works well with your schedule.
The number of minutes per day depends on how much reading you want (or are able) to do in addition to what other responsibilities you have at school or work. If there are no other activities competing with your reading time (and if possible), try aiming for 20-30 minutes per day; otherwise 10-15 should be enough as long as they’re within the same timeframe every day (e.g., before bed).
3. Make sure you’re comfortable when reading.
Reading in bed is not a good idea, as it could lead to falling asleep and missing out on your book time. A chair or couch will be much better for reading because you can adjust the height of the chair and lean back if needed. If you’re still looking for something more, try investing in an ergonomic desk chair with adjustable lumbar support and headrests.
If you’re still having trouble finding that perfect spot, then perhaps consider getting a book light and blanket as well so that no matter where you sit, whether it be on the couch or at your desk, this combination will allow you to read comfortably while staying warm!
4. Remember that reading is supposed to be relaxing, not stressful.
It’s a form of entertainment, but it can also be a form of escape. Reading is a way to learn about new things, but it’s also an opportunity for self-discovery or reflection on life experiences. Remember that reading is supposed to be enjoyable, so don’t stress out if you forget what page your book starts on!
5. Carry a book with you at all times, so that you can read during any extra time you have.
Inevitably, when you least expect it, there is going to be a moment when your mind is otherwise occupied and you have an opportunity for reading—on the train, waiting for someone in the lobby of the office building where they work, or even just sitting around doing nothing. You might as well take advantage of those moments!
If this sounds like too much effort (or if it’s easier said than done), then consider getting another book or two in addition to reading the ones already in your home library. This will allow for more options if one or two books aren’t enough to keep up with how much time is available each day.
If none of this works out? Then make sure there are ways within your control that will help increase the amount of free time available while still allowing some relaxation as well – such as taking shorter showers every other day instead of daily showers; unplugging electronics from outlets after using them (or even charging them overnight); etc…
6. Keep track of what you’re reading, maybe even make notes about it as you go.
The first thing you should do is keep track of all the books you have read. You can use a simple list or even set up an app on your phone to keep track. Even if you are not reading for pleasure, it is still important to keep track of what books influence your life and how they impact your thinking or behavior.
Keep a list of books that have changed your life and why they were so impactful. This will help inspire future reading choices that may also have a similar effect on you as well as provide insight into what qualities make these particular stories so powerful for yourself and others who share them with friends, family members, coworkers etc…
7. Focus on one book at a time, and read it from beginning to end before starting another one.
Reading one book at a time will help you remember what you read. You can’t take advantage of the benefits of reading if you don’t retain any information. If you’re jumping around between different books, it will be difficult for your brain to hold onto any of them for more than a couple days at most—and that’s if you’re really focusing on each book and trying to memorize it!
Reading one book at a time will help get more out of it. When we read multiple books back-to-back without taking any breaks in between, we can’t fully immerse ourselves in them because our minds are too busy thinking about what’s coming next on our list. Once again, this can mean missing out on key pieces of information and possible connections between ideas that would otherwise be easy for us to spot.
Reading one book at a time will let us enjoy the book more fully, because we won’t feel rushed or overwhelmed by all the other things we have left waiting for us once we’ve finished!
8. Find a quiet time and place to read where you won’t be disturbed.
If you’re going to be reading, find a quiet time and place where you won’t be interrupted. Libraries are great places for this, as are coffee shops—just make sure you’re comfortable in your seat. If it’s not possible to sit down while reading, try finding an armchair or couch with a light blanket over it so that when the sun goes down, it’ll still be warm enough to curl up on. Silence is key: turn off your phone and put it away so there aren’t any distractions later on down the road!
9. Embrace the opportunity to get lost in the story.
Reading is one of the most rewarding things you can do. It’s easy to get lost in the story, which is why it’s important to remember that reading is also a great way to escape from the stresses of your daily life. Don’t feel like you need to be thinking critically while reading—just let yourself get lost in the characters and plot! If you want to read for six hours straight without stopping, do it! Let your imagination run wild.
If you find yourself struggling with a book that isn’t holding your interest, try picking up another one. You might find that your next read will be more enjoyable than what’s currently on your nightstand.
10. If you find yourself getting distracted, take a break and come back later.
Try drinking some tea or going for a walk during that break to help boost your concentration when you come back to the book.
Reading should be an enjoyable experience and not something that stresses you out. If you’re feeling frustrated with your reading ability and are constantly feeling like there’s something wrong with it, try taking a step back from it mentally and focus on enjoying what it offers instead of trying to analyze everything all the time!
All it takes is some patience and organization for anyone to become a bookworm!
If you’re looking to become a bookworm, the first thing that you need to do is get rid of any self-doubt and negative thoughts. You don’t need to be perfect at it right away. Just go for it! And if something doesn’t work out, try again later on. Don’t get frustrated if it takes time for you to get into the groove of reading books—this can take some time and patience! Remember: you’re doing this because YOU want to do it – not anyone else!
When reading becomes an enjoyable pastime, don’t expect other people around you (or even yourself) to understand why exactly it’s so fun for everyone involved. But don’t let their opinions get in between your enjoyment either – just keep on trucking along until those who aren’t interested realize how great literature really is when they finally sit down with one themselves!
Hopefully these tips have helped you see that anyone can become a bookworm. It’s not about being a certain kind of person or having some special skills, it’s just about getting started and sticking with it!