Rediscovering the Joy of Reading (in a Season of Busyness)

Can you relate to wondering how reading can be a source of joy when there is so much to do and so many better ways that you could spend your time? I've been there, sister! Let me tell you how to rediscover the joy of reading in a season of busyness.

I love Paulo Coelho!

I used to love reading when I was younger. I loved Enid Blyton, Goosebumps, and read all of the Babysitter Club and Sweet Valley High books. My favourite classes were English and Literature, and oh, how I wished I could find my own Secret Garden!

Then, when I got a bit older, I discovered and devoured Virginia Andrews, and all of my mother's completed book club books (Life of Pi, Curious Case of the Dog in the Night Time, Bel Canto, The Kite Runner etc). I enjoyed reading and didn't feel guilty about it.

Then, I got invested in my work and tried to 'climb the corporate ladder' and 'smash the glass ceiling' and all that. I did lots of study, then got married, started a family, and kept studying while trying to earn money and keep a clean house and put food on the table, somehow.

I then found that the only things I ended up reading were things that I deemed useful and academic, like recipes, or articles and books related to my areas of work, parenting, or study.

I literally didn't read a fiction book for years.

Hurry up, I've got things to do and places to go!

Every time I picked up a fiction book, it felt like a waste of time.

I remember thinking how it felt like sleep was a waste of time. How much more productive could I be if I didn't have to sleep?!

I also wasn't very happy (Shock! Horror!).

I was so DRIVEN, I just wanted to DO and ACHIEVE. Everything I did had to be making headway towards my GOALS: Family, house, career, finance etc.

Now, yes, there are absolutely times for this mindset. There are times in our lives when we need to focus on these things. But, not whole SEASONS. Not YEARS.

I needed to stop putting so much pressure on myself. But I didn't. Instead, I burned out.

Now, I have news for younger Marley,

and for you:

READING FOR PLEASURE IS NOT A WASTE OF TIME.

I wrote a blog post a couple of months ago, titled: Benefits of Reading: Reduce Stress with 6 minutes a day. Go and READ IT! There are so many ways that reading can benefit us. Even reading frivolous fluff like fiction.

Here's some more news for you:

You can read whatever you enjoy, however you can, and benefit from that.

If you only have time to read while you're on the toilet, then pick up a book of comic strips, micro-fiction, or inspirational quotes. Or, just get through a book slowly. If you enjoy Mills & Boon, then read them! Read what you can get lost in. Read what interests you. Read what makes you lose track of time. You don't have to work your way through Shakespeare, a pile of peer-reviewed journal articles, or the Top 10 Classics.

And, here's some other news for you:

YOU DON'T NEED TO FEEL GUILTY ABOUT READING FOR FUN.

Okay, if you're meant to be at work, listening to your husband, or participating in life, then I am sorry to say that you do need to make sure you don't neglect your wifely, motherly, and lifely duties. You may actually have to get out of bed every day. But...

READING IS WORTH YOUR TIME

Reading helps you slow down.

Reading helps you learn and grow, and see from different perspectives.

Reading helps you appreciate what you have.

When you close a book after having read about heartbreak, death, disease, alien invasion, or the apocalypse, it gets so much easier to look around yourself and go, 'Whew! I am so glad to be here'.

This is my concentrating face

Also:

Reading can fit around you!

You don't need an hour of uninterrupted time. You can work with what you've got, in whatever way works for you, from 5 minutes on the toot, to 10 minutes in the car while you wait for your kid to finish footy practice (audiobooks are great for this! You don't even need to carry a book or a Kindle around).

How about you check out a couple of my other relevant blogs:

10 Secrets You Need to Know to Become an Avid Reader, and

Let's Talk About Kindles and Kindle Unlimited.

But, ultimately, I want you to take away 3 things:

1. You don't need to feel guilty about reading for pleasure

2. Reading can fit around you (You don't need swathes of time. In fact, you don't even need an actual paper book!). And,

3. Reading is not a waste of time!!

Happy reading!

Much love,

Marley x