My reading life during the school year is very minimal if I’m being honest. Days are busy, my routines change, and life is overall just crazy. Between classes, assignments, work, and my social life, it often feels like there’s barely any time left to sit down and truly get lost in a book. My books tend to pile up, and my TBR list grows faster than I can keep up with. A constant cycle of wanting read more but struggling to find the time and energy to actually do it.
When Reading Feels Like a Task
Reading requires a different kind of focus than everything else I do during the day. After hours of being on my laptop, working on assignments, or constantly being on the go, the idea of sitting down and concentrating on a book can feel more draining than relaxing. Even though I know reading is something I enjoy, it sometimes feels like just another thing on my to-do list instead of something I get to look forward to.
Finding Small Moments
There are moments, though, when I do find time for it, and those remind me why I love reading so much. Whether it’s a slow weekend morning, a random free hour in between plans, or even just a few pages before bed, those small pockets of time feel so rewarding. It’s like I get to step away from everything else going on and just exist in a different world for a little while.
Letting Go of Expectations
I’ve also had to adjust my expectations of what my reading life “should” look like. During breaks or slower seasons, I can read multiple books and feel completely in my element. But during the school year, it’s just not realistic for me, and I’m starting to accept that. Instead of putting pressure on myself to keep up, I’m learning to be okay with reading at my own pace, even if that means finishing a book takes weeks instead of days.
It Doesn’t Have to Be All or Nothing
Something I’ve been trying to remind myself is that reading doesn’t have to be all or nothing. It doesn’t have to be hours at a time or perfectly consistent to count. Even a few pages here and there still add up, and it still keeps me connected to something I genuinely enjoy.
Where Reading Fits Right Now
At the end of the day, reading is still a part of my life, just in a way that fits into everything else I have going on right now. It might not look how I want it to, and it might not be as frequent as I’d like, but it’s still there, and I think that matters more than anything.
