As I immersed myself in Substack, prepping to launch my newsletter, I abandoned my lifelong book reading habit. I devoured stack after stack to grow more comfortable with the platform. Your post crossed my path at a perfect time—I love the reminder that it’s my responsibility to be more intentional, to make sure I’m not allowing my fascination to become an addiction.
Ah, I'm so guilty of that too! I'll deep dive into whatever project I'm working on and totally neglect my actual bookshelf. If I can just make myself focus long enough to start a book, I remember exactly why I love reading so much.
Last night I brought my kindle to bed to read, found it unopened by my pillow this morning, tonight I’ll try again, Lizzie. I figure if I report to you each day eventually I’ll shame myself into jumping my current hurdle 🙏🏻
"Build a habit, not a goal" is such a reframe. The 50-books-a-year metric always stressed me out more than it motivated me. And the permission to DNF liberally? Life-changing. Reading should feel like pleasure :)
Oh I love these tips so much! I always make numbers based goals and it does make me feel bad when I want to DNF. The habits based goal is such a better way to go!
Great tips! I just started a new job with a 40 minute commute and I’ve deemed it my audiobook time. It makes me enjoy the commute and I don’t feel like I don’t have any time to read!
Love these tips, I am still working on my DNF muscle, but I throw a Y at the end and call it a "DNF...YET", and somehow that gives me the permission I need to set the book aside instead of outright abandoning it (which ultimately happens 9 out of 10 times anyway).
Love that! That's usually how I start too. “Meh not right now, I'll get to it” and then I never get to it because there's too many good books in the world. 😂
I'm always reading at least one physical book and listening to one on audio - great for balancing cozy reading in bed and getting reading time in while I'm doing chores, talking a walk, etc. I am also very guilty of grocery shopping/making a Target run with a book in my ear lol.
That's so smart! I really wish I could do audiobooks more often, but I tend to zone out and realize I haven't been listening for several minutes at a time. Thanks, ADHD. I do like them for books I've already read though!
I used to only be able to listen to nonfiction on audio (it felt like a long podcast) but over the past year I've gotten more used to focusing on fiction. I do still have to rewind sometimes though!
‘Build a habit, not a goal’
Fantastic!
As I immersed myself in Substack, prepping to launch my newsletter, I abandoned my lifelong book reading habit. I devoured stack after stack to grow more comfortable with the platform. Your post crossed my path at a perfect time—I love the reminder that it’s my responsibility to be more intentional, to make sure I’m not allowing my fascination to become an addiction.
Ah, I'm so guilty of that too! I'll deep dive into whatever project I'm working on and totally neglect my actual bookshelf. If I can just make myself focus long enough to start a book, I remember exactly why I love reading so much.
Last night I brought my kindle to bed to read, found it unopened by my pillow this morning, tonight I’ll try again, Lizzie. I figure if I report to you each day eventually I’ll shame myself into jumping my current hurdle 🙏🏻
Ha! Whatever works – you got this!
Hahaha!
"Build a habit, not a goal" is such a reframe. The 50-books-a-year metric always stressed me out more than it motivated me. And the permission to DNF liberally? Life-changing. Reading should feel like pleasure :)
Oh I love these tips so much! I always make numbers based goals and it does make me feel bad when I want to DNF. The habits based goal is such a better way to go!
Great tips! I just started a new job with a 40 minute commute and I’ve deemed it my audiobook time. It makes me enjoy the commute and I don’t feel like I don’t have any time to read!
Agree 100% with let the book go after 50 pages.
This is why William Faulkner & I will never be friends...
Though I tried a number of times. *sigh*
These are good tips!
For instance, i can’t ever stand booker prize winners. I’m not sure why! I’ve given up and I am happier for it!
Love these tips, I am still working on my DNF muscle, but I throw a Y at the end and call it a "DNF...YET", and somehow that gives me the permission I need to set the book aside instead of outright abandoning it (which ultimately happens 9 out of 10 times anyway).
Love that! That's usually how I start too. “Meh not right now, I'll get to it” and then I never get to it because there's too many good books in the world. 😂
I get bunch of reading time in during my commute on the train. For drivers, may I suggest listening to an audiobook?
I'm always reading at least one physical book and listening to one on audio - great for balancing cozy reading in bed and getting reading time in while I'm doing chores, talking a walk, etc. I am also very guilty of grocery shopping/making a Target run with a book in my ear lol.
That's so smart! I really wish I could do audiobooks more often, but I tend to zone out and realize I haven't been listening for several minutes at a time. Thanks, ADHD. I do like them for books I've already read though!
I used to only be able to listen to nonfiction on audio (it felt like a long podcast) but over the past year I've gotten more used to focusing on fiction. I do still have to rewind sometimes though!
Definitely abide by Rory Gilmore's need for multiple books!