When I was young, there was nothing I loved more than reading a good book. I remember waking up in the morning and reaching for a book before breakfast. I would also be reading last thing at night. I loved it. But as I grew older I started to read less and less.
I think one of the problems was my studies. I spent more time reading non-fiction, degree-related, academic writing and I stopped reading novels. Then, when I became a mother, I was so busy looking after the children and keeping house, I no longer had much time to read at all! However, I miss those days when I often had my nose stuck in a good book. I miss those imaginary scenes in my head and those places a good book can take you to. Also, I have piles and piles of books because, although I am not reading much, I have not stopped buying. You see, I just love books! I love to read and I love to learn.
On top of this, reading has many health benefits. It is also good for the brain. Reading improves critical thinking skills and cognitive functions. This means that regular reading can protect against cognitive decay. Furthermore, research has shown it could actually make you live longer!
So, as my stacks of books multiply and my reading list becomes ever longer, I have realised I need to do something about it. I must make it my goal to read more. I must get through the back-log of books! Therefore, I have come up with some tips to help me begin to read again.
Reach for a book instead of social media
One of the biggest drains on my time is social media. It has become such a convenient way to keep in touch with friends and arrange meet ups and activities for my children. I could not homeschool without it as everything is arranged and organised online. However, once you start scrolling through Facebook, it is so easy to get drawn in to the black hole and keep clicking from one thing to the next. What I need to do is stop reaching for social media so much. I need to look at the important things and then put it aside. In this way, I will have much more time for reading. So this month, instead of reaching for social media, I am going to reach for my book.
Read in the morning and at night
I often check emails or messages first thing in the morning and last thing at night, but what if I read a few pages of a book instead of a few emails? Would this have a negative impact or a positive one? I am going to go back to my childhood habit and find out! I am sure looking at a book rather than the screen will be a much better way to start and end the day.
Read while waiting
We have so many periods of waiting during the day whether it is waiting for a doctor's appointment or waiting for the kettle to boil. Have you ever thought about how you fill these moments? To be honest, I will often reach for my phone. But what if I reached for a book instead, even if it's just for a few moments? Reading a couple of pages at a time, multiple times a day, will surely add up. So, next time I go to the kitchen to make a cup of tea, I will take my book with me to catch a bit of time to read.
Keep books close by
Another thing that I think will really help is keeping the book I am reading close by. Having them close to hand will allow me to access them quickly and easily whenever I get a moment to spare. Not only shall I keep my current reading book close by when I am at home, I will also take it with me when I go out. After all, you never know when you will get some free time.
Read current books before buying more
Last of all, I will aim to stop buying books before I have read most of the ones I already have. This is going to be a hard goal, I know, but it will be necessary if I want to finish reading the books I already own. Can you make it your goal to read the books you have before buying new ones?
I have so many books to get through and I know it will take me a long time to read them all. Much of this month's goal depends upon forming new habits. I spoke about the creation of habits in my last monthly goals blog post. You can read about it by clicking here. I long to get back into the habit of reading books again and it will be extremely satisfying to read all my books!
Welcome to the Monthly Goals link up! Do you plan your month ahead? Have you anything in particular that your looking forward to this month? Is there anything in your life that needs
focus? Kids, family, self... what is your motivation? This blog hop and link up is to help you
make new friends and find a partner to stay accountable to. Every month, a group of us get together to write our monthly goals. This helps us stay connected, accountable as well as
inspire other moms to know how we do it all.
focus? Kids, family, self... what is your motivation? This blog hop and link up is to help you
make new friends and find a partner to stay accountable to. Every month, a group of us get together to write our monthly goals. This helps us stay connected, accountable as well as
inspire other moms to know how we do it all.
You are welcome to join us by leaving a comment telling us about your goal. If you are a
blogger and interested in joining, leave me a message and we'll send you an invite! Visit the
other participants to seek some inspiration or just give them some support. This month the participating blogs are:
What's up on JeddahMom - March monthly goals by Jeddah Mom
Let's plan and work for a productive living - March by Alizeh My Soul
No comments
Post a Comment
Leave a comment