Are you trying to immerse yourself in the captivating world of books?
Do you wish you could devour novels, non-fiction, and everything in between with an insatiable hunger for knowledge and stories?
Let me show you how to set foot on the path to becoming a reader who loves to read books. It is not as scary or daunting as you may think…
In fact, it can be summarized in three simple principles: read only what you enjoy, start slowly, and establish a consistent reading routine.
Are you ready to get started?
Let’s dive right in…
Only Read Books You Enjoy
So you pick up a new book to read.
Everyone has raved about it, giving it positive praise and reviews.
But within the first few pages, you find the book to be a total and absolute bore.
You force yourself to continue, convincing yourself that it’s good for your intellectual growth.
Stop right there.
Reading should never feel like a chore; it should be an enjoyable and enriching experience.
Let me tell you about my own experience with this.
For years, I only read novels, as they were my true passion. I had little interest in other subjects.
However, my reading horizons expanded when I started to read books on other subjects.
Books about sociology, philosophy, and history.
I never forced myself to read anything; I simply followed my interests or subjects that I found interesting.
When I started to read history, I first read about The Tudors in British history. But that led to other areas of history too.
The same principle applies to you—read what you want to read, not what other people think you should read.
Your friend might rave about a biography of an American president, but that doesn’t mean it will resonate with you.
You might hate it!
Seek out books that genuinely pique your curiosity, and you’ll find that reading becomes an enjoyable habit.
Start Slow
Embarking on a reading journey doesn’t require you to dive headfirst into a marathon reading session.
In fact, you need to start small and gradually build momentum.
Begin with short reading intervals, perhaps just 10 or 15 minutes a day. The key here is consistency—read every single day, without exceptions.
Imagine each reading session as a workout for your brain.
If you were starting to go to the gym, you wouldn’t start with a really heavy weight, would you?
You would start with a weight you could lift without hurting yourself. Then gradually increase the weight over time.
You can do the same with books and reading.
If you can commit to reading for 15 minutes a day, you will find your reading time could increase to 20 minutes, half an hour and eventually a full hour.
Personally, I like to allocate an hour for reading every day.
But I also squeeze in shorter reading breaks throughout the day.
This gradual approach allows reading to become an integral part of my routine.
Start slow, stay consistent, and watch as your reading muscle strengthens over time.
Read at the Same Time Every Day
Consistency is the bedrock of building a reading habit.
To solidify this habit, you must choose a specific time of day that suits your schedule and preferences.
Your ideal reading time might differ from mine, and that’s perfectly fine.
For me, I find my reading sweet spot is in the afternoon around 2 p.m.
It offers a welcome respite from my work and leaves me feeling refreshed.
Your optimal reading time could be early in the morning, during lunch breaks, or even in the evening.
The key is to experiment and discover what works best for you.
If you attempt to read first thing in the morning but find it challenging to concentrate, don’t be discouraged.
Adjust your schedule until you can find a time when your mind is most open to reading.
Schedules are flexible and should cater to your mood and rhythm, making it easier to form a lasting reading habit.
Conclusion
Incorporating these three principles into your life will undoubtedly help you to develop the reading muscle in your brain.
By reading only what you enjoy, starting slowly, and establishing a consistent reading routine, you’ll find yourself transforming into a dedicated reader in no time at all.
As you embark on this journey, remember that becoming an avid reader is a personal endeavour.
It is all about you, and you only. No one else.
Don’t rush it, and don’t compare your reading habits to others. Celebrate your progress, savour the knowledge and stories you encounter, and enjoy the lifelong adventure that reading has to offer.
So, take that first step towards becoming an avid reader, and may your literary adventures be forever-enriching.
Good luck!
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