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We are all busy people – work, caring for children, children’s extracurricular activities, chores, holiday preparation, exercising, cleaning, shopping, volunteering … the list goes on and on. Reading often gets pushed to the back burner in favor of more urgent responsibilities.
If you find yourself feeling pulled in multiple directions but still craving more reading time, these practical tips will help you create small pockets of time to read every day.
9 Simple Ways to Find Time to Read with a Busy Schedule
- Listen to audiobooks during your commute or while running errands around town.
- Read during your lunch break and/or work breaks. A few pages at a time adds up quickly.
- Use earbuds for audiobooks while doing chores like cooking, cleaning or mowing the yard.
- Create a family reading time. Have everyone grab a book and read together for 15-20 minutes.
- Go to bed 15 minutes earlier and read before sleeping (Tip: avoid intense thrillers or true crime right before bed.) 😱
- Listen to a book while exercising – perfect for walking, running or gym workouts.
- Read while your kids watch TV instead of scrolling your phone.
- Schedule reading time on your calendar just like a regular appointment – and keep it.
- Have a manageable To Be Read (TBR) stack so you’re not stuck thinking, “I have nothing to read!”
Extra Tips to Build a Daily Reading Habit
- Always carry a book on you. Instead of reaching for your phone, pull out a book while you’re waiting in lines, sitting at soccer practice, waiting at the doctor’s office, or sitting in school pick-up line. Make it a habit to read instead of scroll.
- Start with small goals, realistic goals. Even two pages a day or just ten minutes of reading absolutely counts. The key is consistency.
- Join a book club. Having a deadline and group accountability makes it much easier to stay motivated and read regularly.
Final Thoughts: You Don’t Need More Time – Just Different Habits
You don’t need more time — you just need a few small, intentional moments. Reading doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing. Even ten minutes a day can help build a daily reading habit over time.
Start small, stay consistent, and let reading become part of your everyday life.
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