Many people’s excuse for not reading is that they don’t have time, a common excuse for more things. I don’t believe that people don’t have time for reading however.
If you look at how many of the people making this excuse use social media for hours a day or sit and play games on a console, I would guess pretty high. I am not saying to cut this out completely however if you have any spare time why not read a little. If it’s a sentence or a chapter it doesn’t matter because its progress. If carrying an actual book isn’t ideal use an e-reader or an app on your phone.
Before you go to sleep, put your phone out of your sight and read something. I find it relaxing to read before I go to sleep and if I haven’t read something that day I feel that I haven’t accomplished what I set out to do and it annoys me. If I literally only read a sentence or a page it’s something.
I also think we need to get rid of the mindset that you need to finish a book in a day or a week. It doesn’t matter how long it takes you what matters is that you are doing it. You’re making progress.
Instead of watching one more episode of your favourite programme that you have already watched 20 times pick up a book. In the time it would have taken you to watch that programme you could read a fair amount.
There are also audio books. Instead of listening to music on your commute to work or in the background at the weekend put on an audio book and listen to a book. Audio books are underrated also. People think that to read a book you have to literally read a book but audio books are a great alternative.
Overall, I would say that saying you have no time is not a credible excuse and that you can always make time to read. As I have said above, it doesn’t matter how much you read, anything is progress.
Many thanks, Caitlin x
(PS please comment if you have any tips for finding time to read)
Read and Drink Tea 