Want to Read More? Make It Easier to Start
Many people want to read more.
They buy books they're excited about. They save articles to read later. They build reading lists that seem to grow faster than they can work through them.
Yet despite good intentions, those books often sit untouched.
If you've ever looked at a book you genuinely wanted to read and thought, maybe tomorrow, you're certainly not alone.
Reading has been linked to benefits ranging from reduced stress to lifelong learning. Most people already know reading is worthwhile. The challenge usually isn't understanding why reading matters.
The challenge is getting started.
Why Reading Often Gets Pushed Aside
A typical day is full of competing demands.
Work responsibilities.
Household chores.
Family commitments.
Errands.
Email.
Social media.
Streaming services.
Even when we want to read, all of those things continue competing for our attention.
And unlike many forms of entertainment, reading asks a little something from us at the beginning. We have to choose the book, find our place, settle down, and focus.
None of those things are difficult.
But together, they create just enough friction to make reading easy to postpone.
Especially when everything else in life keeps demanding attention.
Ironically, many people discover that once they've started reading, continuing isn't the problem.
Starting is.
Willpower Usually Isn't Enough
When people decide they want to read more, they often focus on motivation.
They promise themselves they'll be more disciplined.
They'll spend less time on their phone.
They'll finally work through that stack of books on the nightstand.
Sometimes that works.
Usually it doesn't last.
That's because willpower is a limited resource. Some days you'll have plenty of it. Other days you'll be tired, distracted, or simply worn out from everything else life has thrown at you.
Instead of relying entirely on willpower, it often helps to increase the odds that you'll start reading in the first place.
A few simple changes can make reading feel less like a task and more like a natural part of your day.
Reduce the Friction
If you want to read more, look for the small obstacles that tend to get in your way.
For example:
- Keep your current book somewhere visible.
- Leave it where you're likely to spend time in the evening.
- Set a reminder on your phone for reading time.
- Decide in advance what you'll read next.
- Silence notifications before you sit down.
- Put your phone somewhere you can't mindlessly reach for it.
None of these actions are dramatic.
That's the point.
The goal isn't to force yourself to read. The goal is to remove excuses not to.
When reading is easy to begin, you're far more likely to actually do it.
Create a Reading Space You'll Want to Use
You don't need a dedicated library or a perfectly designed reading nook.
But having a comfortable place to read can make a surprisingly big difference.
Think about the places in your home where you naturally feel comfortable and relaxed.
Could you make one of them even more inviting?
A comfortable chair.
A favorite blanket.
A place to set down a cup of tea.
A reading lamp that creates a warm pool of light.
A small side table for your book.
These details aren't necessary for reading.
But they can transform reading from another task competing for your attention into something you genuinely look forward to.
Many people find themselves returning to the same reading spot again and again because it becomes associated with comfort, focus, and a little time away from the demands of the day.
Create Cues That Tell Your Brain It's Time to Read
Many of our daily habits are tied to cues.
A cup of coffee signals the beginning of the morning.
Brushing your teeth signals that the day is ending.
Reading can benefit from similar cues.
In preparation, you might:
- Make a cup of tea.
- Turn on your reading lamp.
- Put on quiet background music.
- Silence your phone.
- Light a candle.
- Sit in the same chair you normally use for reading.
None of these actions make you read.
What they do is create a consistent transition from the busyness of everyday life into a quieter activity.
Over time, those cues can make it easier to settle in and begin.
Don't Overlook Fragrance
Fragrance can be one of the easiest ways to help create an atmosphere that supports reading.
A favorite candle, wax melt, or home fragrance can become part of the experience in much the same way as a warm drink or a comfortable blanket.
Some people prefer fresh, clean fragrances that help them feel focused.
Others enjoy warm, comforting scents that encourage them to slow down and relax.
The specific fragrance matters less than the consistency.
You might even choose a scent that becomes your reading fragrance—a fragrance you use primarily when it's time to settle down with a book.
Just as certain songs can remind us of particular times and places, fragrances often become connected to memories and routines.
Reading is no exception.
Start Smaller Than You Think
One reason people struggle to build a reading habit is that they imagine reading requires a large block of uninterrupted time.
An entire evening.
A rainy Sunday afternoon.
Hours of quiet.
While those opportunities are wonderful when they happen, they aren't necessary.
Ten minutes before bed is enough.
A chapter after dinner is enough.
Fifteen quiet minutes on a Saturday morning is enough.
The goal isn't to finish a book in a single sitting.
The goal is to start.
Make Reading Easier to Start
If you've been wanting to read more, don't assume the answer is more discipline or more willpower.
Instead, focus on making reading easier to begin.
Reduce friction.
Create a comfortable environment.
Establish a few simple cues.
Keep your book close at hand.
When reading becomes easier to start, it becomes easier to continue.
And once opening the book becomes part of your routine, reading more often may feel far less difficult than you expected.