I’ve spent the last 2 months too busy to do much more than work and sleep. This is a huge change for someone who has spent the last several years reading and blogging pretty much whenever I wanted.
The blog is on an unofficial hiatus, but I’ve managed to finish 3 books this week. I was becoming incredibly cranky and nobody needed that, least of all my husband and little boy.
This week I realized it’s okay to admit…
I need to read.
I need to read everyday to be happy.
At some point reading became as important as eating or breathing. And, really, of all the habits out there this one’s not so bad. But, I’m left wondering how many of us live such busy lives that reading gets pushed to the bottom of our “to do” lists.
For those too busy, it’s time to move reading up from the bottom of the list. Readers forget about the laundry, the dishes, the job, the kids’ homework, for the authors out there forget the WIP, the edits. Forget the guilt and the reminders that you probably have something more pressing to get done.
Indulge yourself, pick up a book and read, enjoy the simple pleasure of getting lost in a good story. You’ll feel better, believe me I know.
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Welcome aboard! I gave up feeling guilty for making reading a necessary activity ages ago. I work hard. I deserve to decompress with a book daily. If the house violates health codes Monday through Friday (I do eventually tackle those pesky chores on weekends), so be it. Nobody’s died yet.
Anytime anyone is appalled by the condition of my house, they’re invited to clean it themselves. I’ll be in the living room with my feet up, my nose buried in a book, and a soda within easy reach if you need to know where I keep the vacuum bags.
Sing it, sister. I put everything away and read 13 chapters of Fanged and Fabulous last night. I’m not happy when reading is pushed to the bottom of the To Do list, and the muse gets pretty cranky, too.
I can’t imagine a day without reading. I regret learning to drive because it means I can’t sit on a train or a bus and lose myself but I couldn’t sleep without reading. Granted with a full-time job, three cats and a house to look after, plus trying to write novels, I don’t get much time, but downstairs is a work space and upstairs is where I read, in the bath (have done all my life, yes, ruined many a book, but its a necessary sacrifice and it sells more books) and in bed. Always always in bed.
I love reading. I can’t imagine not having something to read. If I don’t have time to read, I try to make the time.
I don’t think reading is an indulgence.
It is necessary.
Look at the self made members of the Forbe 400
http://www.forbes.com/entrepreneurs/2006/09/21/forbes400-walton-mcdonalds-ent-cx_mf_0921selfmade.html?partner=moreover%20
and read how many hours A DAY they read.
Those men have zero spare time yet they allocate some to reading.
Reading isn’t a detriment to wealth,
it is a tool.
(Course they might not be reading romances… LOL… but they are reading)
This past August was just a whirlwind with lots going on at work, at home…everywhere. I missed reading so much and felt out of sorts. The evenings when I typically read I was just too tired. Once things got back to a more normal pace and I was able to resume my reading again I found I felt so much better. It’s an important part of my everyday life and I too came to the conclusion that I need to read everyday to be happy.
I’d prefer to get Lost in Reality…with You.
The Writers…:wink:
I know I’m too stressed when I pick up a book and can’t even enjoy it. That’s when I know it is time to slooow down my life. If you can take some relaxation time for yourself you ought to be able to appreciate those moments!
Yes reading is a must right up there with food??? actually in my world eating is often skipped if I’m enthralled by a book
but I suppose it would still rank with a roof over my head and clothes to wear. Since most of the year is a bit damp around this neck of the woods life might get a bit uncomfortable without shelter.
Heather there’s some food for thought in what you said about being too busy to enjoy reading – that might explain why I have had difficulty getting into books lately that I can’t explain my indifference for. Hmmm!
There is no such thing as too busy to read.
Even if it’s a few stolen moments during the day.
cmr
If the house violates health codes Monday through Friday… so be it.
We’re supposed to clean our houses? When? There are too many books to read and write. (And chocolate to eat while doing either one…)
Yep…I know when I’m reading the back of cereal boxes like they are the latest bestsellers, I’m not reading enough!
For me, it’s not just reading… it’s any type of “me” time. That’s always at the end of the list, and I feel like it’s an ingrained habit. Bad for me, but hard to break.
Any suggestions on how to change?
I couldn’t agree with you more. I’ve been working 60 hour weeks lately, and through it all, I’ve tried so hard ro make the “me” time to read. Sometimes it’s at 1 in the morning when I finally crawl into bed, but dammit, it’s my time, and I need to read.
I’m so glad you finally got back to reading!
[...] I’ve recently discovered that not reading for a long time affects me, too, Tara. When I pick up a book, it reminds me of what’s been missing in my everyday life. Reading. [...]