There is something quite revolutionary about a woman who gives herself permission to rest. The best type of rest is the kind that fills you back up. I found this restorative rest between the pages of a good book.
For nearly a year, reading has been a part of my daily routine. The simple act of opening a book gives my mind the space to breathe, to wander, and to come back to itself. It is one of my favorite forms of self-care I look forward to every single day. If you want the full story of how I got here, I share it on How Reading is My Quiet Act of Self Care.
And now, Sis, you are ready too. It’s time to give yourself permission to pause. But the only problem is you haven’t figured out how to actually make it happen when life feels beautifully chaotic. Like myself, you may be juggling an insane work schedule. Maybe you are caring for aging parents or managing your children’s lives alongside your own. I see you. Here are a few sustainable ways to help you make time for reading and make it something you actually look forward to.
Find Your Uninterrupted Window
The first and most powerful step is finding your uninterrupted window. Think of this not as one more task to complete, but as a reward. Intentional, protected time that belongs entirely to you. It might be early in the morning before the house wakes up, or a quiet lunch break in the middle of a busy day. For me, nights are my sanctuary. Reading before bed allows me to completely unwind and close the chapter on whatever the day brought.
Start Small and Stay There
Start with just one book. Choose something that genuinely piques your interest, in a genre you actually enjoy. Do not get overwhelmed by your pace or the size of the book. Just focus on one chapter or a few pages at a time and let that become your ritual. You will surprise yourself. Starting small adds up faster than you think.
Set Up Your Reading Environment
Find a place you enjoy and make it cozy. Reading is your mental vacation, and you are worth this luxury. It feeds your soul in a deeply loving way.
Creating a small reading nook is one of the most creative ways to make this feel special. A corner of a room with a comfy chair, a fluffy blanket, and a small table for your coffee or tea is all you need. Most evenings I end up in one of two places: my bedroom or the sitting room. I light a candle, pull a blanket over myself, and let instrumental music play softly from Spotify. If you need to escape outside of your home entirely, a cozy coffee shop, independent bookstore, or library can be just as beautiful.
The Tools That Make It Easier
This community is made up of women with all kinds of needs and rhythms. I want your return to reading to feel easy and exciting. Here are the tools that made it both for me.
Invest in an e-reader. If you don’t have time to run to the bookstore or library, an e-reader is a game-changer. I invested in a Kindle Paperwhite. I already had the Kindle app on my iPad and phone, but let’s be honest: those screens are not kind to eyes that now require readers (a reality I am at complete peace with!). More importantly, those devices are tethered to work, endless notifications, and the thousand small demands of the outside world. The Paperwhite became my tech-free sanctuary.
Read free books via Libby, Hoopla, or Cloud Library. If you have a local library card, you have instant access to thousands of e-books and audiobooks right from the comfort of home. Most branches even let you sign up for an e-card online.
Listen to audiobooks. Audiobooks absolutely count as reading, friends. Many of the free library apps include audiobook options, but I also use Audible and the fifteen free listening hours included with my Spotify Premium subscription. I listen on my drive to and from work, which has completely softened my travel anxiety. Cooking dinner becomes a treat. My absolute favorite ritual is listening during my outdoor weight vest walks. Moving your body while filling your spirit is the ultimate act of wellness. If you need a brilliant place to start, the audiobook version of Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir is a masterpiece. The narration kept me completely hooked from the first chapter.
Give Yourself a Flexible Goal
Whether you want to finish one book or twenty this year, choose a number that genuinely excites you and go for it. Having a goal is a fun, low-key way to prioritize this quiet act of self-care, without turning it into pressure. If you want a beautiful place to track your progress and discover what others are reading, sign up for Goodreads or Fable. It’s my absolute favorite way to log what I’m reading and build my wish list.
Join a Book Club
If you thrive on connection and accountability, consider joining a book club. There is a group out there for every style, whether you love thrillers, romance, or non-fiction. Start by checking your local independent bookstores and libraries, or look into digital platforms like Bookclubs, Silent Book Club (where you socialize briefly and then read your own choice book in cozy silence!), or communities on Reddit. Book clubs have quickly become my favorite social activity, allowing me to connect deeply with others over a shared experience.
Three Books to Get You Out of a Reading Slump
If you are in a reading slump or just need a starting point, here are the three books I would put in your hands right now:
- Theo of Golden by Allen Levi: The perfect book for when the world feels heavy and you need a reminder that goodness still exists. It will make you believe in humanity again.
- Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez: (Book 2 in the Part of Your World series, but works perfectly as a standalone). This one is for my rom-com girls who want real emotional depth along with the romance. It delivers everything.
- Broken Country by Claire Leslie Hall: A love story, a mystery, and a slow burn that hits you somewhere deep. The plot twist is one I absolutely did not see coming. Beautiful and deeply felt.
You can find all three in my Bookshop.org storefront.
Wherever you are in your reading journey, whether you finished fifty books last year or have not opened one in a decade, there is no catching up to do. There is only right now and the quiet gift of giving yourself an hour. Or twenty minutes in the car. Or a single chapter before bed. The book waiting for you on that nightstand? It’s ready to take you on wonderful adventure.
Which book will you commit to reading? I’d love know.
This post is part of Living La Vida Bella, a space for women navigating midlife with beauty, wellness, and a whole lot of grace. Some links in this post may be affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I personally use and love.
