How to Develop a Reading Habit | 5 ways for how to develop a reading habit at home

Reading can help you learn new things, increase your vocabulary, increase focus and concentration, and improve your memory. Many claim that they would like to make reading a habit but are unable to do so owing to time constraints. At one time in my life, I was one of those folks.

Is it too late for you to make a habit out of reading?

 

Maybe it’s been a while since you read a book. Perhaps you’re unable to finish the one you started. Perhaps you feel so weighed down by how heavy the globe is that picking one up seems like too much work.

However, because you made it to this blog article, I assume you’d like to change. And that’s the first step, which is wonderful news.

It’s not too late to start reading regularly if that’s something you want to do.

 

Here are 5 tips for how to develop a reading habit at home: 

1. Separate yourself from your phone

Although I am unsure of your way of life, I do know that the majority of you have access to fast satisfaction and can choose it over reading.

Instagram and Twitter. Netflix, Facebook, YouTube, Reddit, etc. When we think we might miss something, it’s hard to stay away. You ARE NOT being told to stop by me. I’ll be the first to confess that it’s really dang difficult and that I don’t perform as well as I’d like to. But I’ve learned to do a much better job of putting the internet away when it’s time to read.

I kindly request that you turn off your computer before starting a book. On the other side of the room, leave it alone. Don’t bring the phone outside when you go. Enter a different space. You have to perform an additional chore, a la the walk of shame, to give yourself the mental break you always tell yourself you need at the end of a paragraph, section, or chapter. Promise me you’ll come back as quickly as you can if you need the dictionary, then go get your phone (or a dictionary, of course). But it’s easier said than done to disconnect from the internet.

Even though I kind of-sorta-all-the-way didn’t like how social media worked, I constantly gave myself scroll breaks. I nonetheless did it. While I was away, I didn’t receive any notifications, or if I did, they weren’t ones I needed to know right away. Although there are definitely exceptions to the rule, most of the time whatever occurred on your phone, social media account, or email while you were reading—if anything—could wait until you finished that chapter. You’d be surprised at how much further you can get through a book if you keep reading the words on the page instead of the screen.

 

2. Read a variety of different types of books at the same time

If you’re not already a “reader,” this could sound a little strange, but trust me, you won’t always want to dive into a lengthy chapter if you don’t have the time.

Occasionally, whether or not you can finish the chapter, you’ll want to dip your toe in.

Here’s where I find the use of nonfiction. Nonfiction books are frequently simple to get into without making the commitment of an entire chapter. It’s also simpler to put the book down in the middle of a paragraph and pick it back up later without having to read it all over again. Because of this, I like to keep a variety of style books on hand.

3. Try out different formats (like eBooks & audiobooks)

Book snobs are bad. If you can’t feel the pages, they’ll tell you that you aren’t reading, and that audiobooks and ebooks don’t count. I firmly believe that this viewpoint is unsound, and that these individuals should be given a sharp kick in the behind. Don’t call me if you don’t feel comfortable kicking them; I won’t either, but who knows? Maybe someone else will.

You can read whichever you want, so pay attention. And if you try out various forms, you might just discover a technique to read more books and get wiser as a result.

Let’s start with eReaders.

I once detested them. In fact, I can still hear myself saying in college, in the corniest possible way, “Yeah, but you can’t smell the pages on an eReader.” I added that I couldn’t make notes in the books and couldn’t recommend the novels I loved to others. Here’s why I now think all of those responses are terrible:

-If you like the fragrance of books, you can still smell the pages of actual books. Just not all of your novels, unfortunately. You don’t need to sniff every book, especially the used ones, so believe me when I say that.

-In an eReader, you can definitely annotate your books. I have a Kindle, so I can make notes on the passages I enjoy and even look for them afterwards. Things really is a more effective method to go about doing it.

-Do you actually enjoy lending books to others? When do you receive it back? How frequently is it actually read? If you plan to give books away frequently, it is best to read them on an eReader first. Then, if you decide to give them to someone, buy them the physical copy or suggest it to them. This shouldn’t prevent you from benefiting from the last bullet point, though.

-eBooks cost less money! You can demonstrate the idea that reading more books makes you smarter if you read three books for the price of one hardcover. The words matter, not the format.

But the ability to read eBooks while falling asleep is definitely my favorite aspect about them. You can read anything you don’t have to finish in large chunks (like nonfiction) when you’re getting ready for bed because they have their own light (and some of them aren’t LED for those whose eyes are sensitive like mine). This can really help you fall asleep.

Finally, audiobooks are indispensable, particularly for nonfiction. It can sound like a podcast or like you’re sitting there hanging out with them as you’re doing dishes, vacuuming, holding your kid with one hand and stroking their butt with the other. They can be narrated by some very fantastic voice actors, sometimes even the authors themselves.

Making reading simpler on yourself is the key to creating a habit, if you’re getting the sense from this piece at all. One excellent approach to achieve it is to increase your format options.

 

 4. Be patient with yourself

Even though I’m paid to read, I’m still a sluggish reader. Some minds simply function that way. And you had better believe that you’ll read slowly and possibly need to go back and read some passages when you pick up reading again after a break.

Do you know what to do in the circumstance?

Slow down.

Understand that you can only read each word one after the other. You’ll come out of this reading experience with one book stronger than when you started, as long as you seek to understand what’s on the page rather than just skim through it to get it done.

5. Stop reading books that aren’t inspiring you

Everyone has a different perspective, so it’s okay if you read what I’m saying and think, “Joe, please kick yourself in the pants,” but please hear me out:

One thing about books is that reading them takes the same amount of time whether you enjoy them or not and whether they have a lasting impact on your life. Give the book you purchased a try. Of course. Possibly continue reading if you still think it will be good after all. But don’t go back to it if you’re not interested in doing so. You could be reading something that truly improves your outlook, and if you change your mind later, you can always pick up the book you put down again.

However, there is a condition: you must complete some novels. I’m sure you will if you keep setting aside time for it, but if you have a tendency to start a book, read the first chapter, and then put it down, maybe you should complete the current book you’re enjoying. When you have the opportunity to view the big picture, you’d be astonished at how amazing books are.