How I ended up finding time to read again, and how can I do it

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How I ended up finding time to read again, and how can I do it

I used to like Read novels, memoirs and great stories. At the end of a long day or weekend, curl a good book with a good book, like my soul breathes. For some time, it was very comforting to bring a good story into a good story.

But then life changed. The baby is here. We walked into foster care. Everything started to feel like… a lot.

After we said goodbye to our adorable baby, we cultivated stories that I used to love in 2020. Sadness settled. Slowly, I didn’t even really notice it, and instead of reaching for the book, I started reaching for my phone.

It felt harmless at first. I’m just checking the email. Post on Instagram. Watch some Instagram stories or videos on Tiktok. But after one night, the reels extended for a longer time. And read? It gradually disappeared.

I kept telling myself that I didn’t have time to read. But is it true? I Have done it Have time. I just spent it on something that didn’t fill me.

Somewhere along the way, I forgot how much joy I read came to bring to me. How a beautifully written novel or biography drives me away and refreshes my spirit. I missed. I missed she – Girls who find joy and inspiration in a page of a good story.

Turning point: a small change

At the beginning of this year, I knew something had to happen. I spent too much time scrolling on my phone and I stayed up late yes.

So I made a simple commitment: I turn off my phone every night at 8pm. I want to be more intentional – creating space for things that fill me, rather than being overwhelmed and distracted by things that don’t have.

I Meaning Persist. I did. But somehow, I kept getting pulled back. I told myself that I was just going to check out a quick thing…and then five minutes turned into thirty minutes. I don’t even think, I will roll – the thumb rolls, the soul buzzes, the soul weary.

Eventually, I realized I needed help. That’s what I found Opal Application.

It allows you to schedule downtime for your application. The best part? You can set it, so you cannot Cover it. I set it to close my social media app at 8:10 pm, Sharp, and it’s no exception. And so, the scrolling option disappeared.

No more “a minute”. No more temptations. To be honest? It feels like a relief. It’s like I finally allowed myself to rest again.

How to change everything in five minutes

My phone was off, the app was locked, and I made a small promise. With my sister’s encouragement, I decided to challenge myself to read only five minutes a night.

Five minutes feel feasible. No pressure. No long chapter. It’s just a reset at the end of the day.

So I picked up a book, and that book sat on the bedside table for a while (Frozen River) and settled. It was difficult at first. My mind keeps drifting – wondering what I am missing, what I need to check, what I should do. But knowing that my phone was locked helped me stay there. I literally cannot Even if I want to, I need to check it out.

So I kept sticking to it. Only five minutes.

What happened. The pace of those five minutes began to grow.

Five minutes turned into ten…and then twenty. Now? Most nights you will find that I curl 20-30 minutes in a book before going to bed – sometimes even when I was swept away the story even longer.

Surprising benefits of swap scrolling to read

The transition from unconscious scrolling to intentional reading has not only brought me back to my love for stories and the inspiration I got from them – it felt like it was given me the evening. for real!

Here’s what I’ve noticed since the switch:

I want to go to bed early. There is no more scrolling until midnight. I’m going to close my book and expose the lights, which actually keeps me hungry for sleep all the time.
I slept better. My mind is calm, not buzzing on the highlights of social media. I’m not thinking about other people’s photos or the latest Tiktok controversy. I’m just peaceful.
Our nights feel more calm and more connected. Jesse and I spent more time talking and relaxing, actually being present rather than rolling alone!
My brain has more room for creation. I feel more inspiration and creativity when I don’t squeeze my thoughts with endless updates. I dream about projects again, think about new goals, and feel that I actually have time to pursue them.
Our house is kept clean. Less time scrolling means more time to sort out. Interestingly, it’s so different from having ten minutes here.

But the most surprising thing? Replacing scrolling with reading is like reconnecting with a part I forgot about and I missed. I’m working on stories, laughing, and sometimes holding my breath over the twists and turns of a good plot. Just like I’ve seen an old friend again over the years.

My annual speech: plug

I’m increasingly learning what it means to unplug it – not only from my phone, but also because of distraction that has lifted me off of what I love. It feels great to prioritize something I really like.

I’ve ended recently Frozen River and A good thing I’m reading now Life Borrowed by Frederick Fife. I love everyone in my own unique way…and I also started creating a long list of books I can’t wait to read. This inspired me to read more!

Want to take back your night?

If you want to take back the night too, this is how you can start!

1. Set hard boundaries

Choose a time to turn off your phone – 8:10 PM PM worked well for me, but found something that worked for you.

2. Obtain accountability

I highly recommend Opal Application. It closes your app at a set time and you can’t override it (if you set it this way). This is the best difficult love.

If you want to try the Opal app, you can get a free 30-day trial here!

3. Begin small

Committed to justice Five minutes Read every night. Choose something fun, light, or adventurous – anything that will let you turn the page.

4. Create a comfortable space

You can even light a candle, grab a cozy blanket, and pour a cup of tea to make it the ritual you are looking forward to.

5. Celebrating a small victory

Celebrate even if you only have five minutes to keep up with this new habit! (Maybe for me, you’ll find that five minutes quickly turns into 10 or even 20 minutes!)

If you keep telling yourself that you don’t have time to read, I encourage you to see where the time actually goes. I realized I had enough time to read – once I stopped rolling before going to bed every night!

You may find you Do Things that bring you joy when you have time. You just need to unplug long enough to pay attention.

If you want a complete story about how I made this life-giving change and how I can do it, I share it all in the podcast episode: Hard truths we learned from a month using the Opal app.