Hey all, I need your advise and experience on how to make a habit of reading with my situation. I really like to read novels, and from time to time a good popular science book, or psychology. The issue is that given my job (I am an PhD candidate and my work involves lots of reading and writing on my topic (engineering)), I struggle to read or keep reading a book since it does not feel like resting. Also, I have difficulty to find books in my native language so I read in English which sometimes it’s not easy and I can’t read as fast. Now I bought so many books, and around 7 books that I started and want to finish at some point :/ I always feel like I am missing out by not reading books and it’s a feeling that I don’t want. So…. Pls any advice? Suggestion?
My only suggestion is to figure out a time of day where you almost always have time to read, and then read consistently at that time. Even if it’s just a few minutes each day it will become a habit. It could be after you wake up while drinking coffee/tea, or during a lunch break, or right before bed. The key is consistency.
I don’t know how you feel about e-readers/e-books/audio books, but if you don’t mind them, it might help to have books on your phone via Kindle or Libby and just open them up and sneak some reading in lieu of social media or constantly checking email (I remember my grad school days doing this!). English is my husband’s 3rd language and he’s had better luck finding books in his language in ebook format, so he’s embraced e-readers for this purpose. I think everyone else has better suggestions for physical/paper books!
If reading is really important to someone they will find the time. It doesn’t sound like it’s that important to you right now, more a kind of vague aspiration that you’re half-heartedly trying to talk yourself into. That’s fine, don’t fret over it, come back to reading when you actually want to do it.