5 ways to read more
5 Ways to Read More When Life Gets Too Intense
Between work, studies, social life, unexpected events, and those moments when you simply don’t have the energy, it’s normal for reading to fall to the back burner. Yet for many of us, reading is how we reconnect with ourselves — how we breathe, escape, and find calm again. So how can you keep reading when life feels like it’s moving a hundred miles an hour? Here are 5 simple and gentle ways to do it, without pressure.
🌙 Read Without Setting Rigid Goals
You often hear people say, “I want to read 50 books this year!” — but when you’re exhausted, that kind of goal can quickly turn into stress.
I still remember how obsessed I was with hitting my yearly reading targets. I constantly compared myself to others’ numbers and told myself there were too many books I wanted to read to take my time with each one. Looking back, I was kind of crazy for putting that much pressure on something I loved. Now, I’ve gone back to what reading truly is for me: one of my favorite hobbies. Why make it stressful? I take my time and let myself fully sink into my bookish heroes’ adventures.
Try reading without numbers or pressure. Even a few pages before bed count. What matters is the moment, not the quantity.
☕ Read in the Small Moments of Everyday Life
You don’t need two free hours to make progress in a book.
A few minutes with your morning coffee, on the bus, or while waiting for someone can make all the difference.
Here’s my tip: always keep a book with you (or an e-reader/app). Trust me — I never leave home without one anymore. After regretting it one too many times, I finally learned my lesson! Those mini-moments quickly become little reading bubbles.
🎧 Rediscover Reading Through Audiobooks
When sitting down to read feels too hard — whether from fatigue, lack of focus, commuting, or chores — audiobooks can be a great option.
They let you dive into a story while cooking, walking, or driving.
It’s another way to be swept away by words — and sometimes, the narrator’s voice adds an extra layer of emotion.
🌸 Re-read or Read According to Your Mood
When you’re stressed, it might not be the best time for a dark romance or an anxiety-filled thriller.
Go back to comfort reads — an author you love, a light romance, or a story you already know.
Reading according to your mood means listening to what you need instead of forcing a book that doesn’t feel right at the moment.
💫 Turn Reading Into a Ritual, Not an Obligation
Even ten minutes at night with a cup of tea can become a soothing ritual.
Create an atmosphere that makes you want to read: soft light, a cozy blanket, maybe an instrumental playlist.
Reading then becomes a calm moment, a way to return to yourself — not another task on your to-do list.
🌿 In Summary
Reading more doesn’t mean reading faster.
It’s about making space for books in your daily life, even in the smallest ways.
Because at its core, reading is an act of self-kindness — a way of saying, “I’m taking this moment just for me.”
