How I’m falling back in love with reading as a 30-something with a phone addiction

I, like you I’m sure, wake up every morning and scroll on my phone. Instagram, emails, whatever—it’s part of my morning routine.?

It’s also part of my nighttime routine. Scrolling on the phone before bed is as habitual as, well, going to bed itself.?

And, look. I’m not here to shame anyone for this—including myself. We’re largely the victims of forces beyond our control. Those smartphones and social media platforms were designed to addict us and they’ve been successful.?

But at the same time, I want a bigger life. I want more than watching 108 reels in a row. I want hobbies and interests and ideas and thoughts and opinions beyond what a screen tells me. I want to be an interesting person who knows interesting things and has interesting conversations.?

It’s a big dream and an unwieldy one.?

But I think it can all be accomplished—to some degree—in something very simple: reading.?

You see, reading opens doors to everything. The act of reading is good for our brains, focus, productivity, and intelligence. And the substance of reading is good for our imagination, ideas, conversations, and inspiration.?

Both the act and substance of reading are transformative. And it’s actually something we all know, deep down. It’s why children love being read storybooks before bed. It’s why we used to read by flashlight late into the night so our parents wouldn’t know we were still up. (For me, it was the Twilight series. Yup.)

I used to read SO much as a young person.?

And then I got a phone and became addicted to it.?

But it’s okay because I know I can become that person again—a reader.

So I’m learning to fall back in love with reading as a 30-something with a major phone addiction.?

Here’s what’s helped me and a few of the books that have made the journey worthwhile.?

How to read more: 3 tips

If you google something like “how to read more,” you’ll see lots of neat tips and tricks like:?

• Read before bed to help you relax.?
• Choose a book you’ve read before and know you’ll love to get back into it.?
• Get an accountability buddy and tell them you want to read more.?
• Make a list and check it off (or use a platform like Goodreads to track your progress).?
• Choose a fast-paced or light-hearted genre that helps you get into a book faster.?
• Read whilst doing other things like commuting by bus or sitting at the doctor’s office.?
• Find books and authors you think you’ll like by asking for recommendations and reading reviews.?
• Set reading goals (X minutes a day, X books a year) if you’re a goal kinda person. Don’t if you’re not.?
• Try audiobooks first.?
• Get cozy with a candle, snacks, blankets, hot drinks, fuzzy socks, etc.?
• Create a dedicated reading spot in your home that’s a no-phone zone.
• Hang out and talk to other people who read (including online communities).?
• Keep a “want to read” list so you always have something to read and don’t get overwhelmed with the decision-making process.?

These are all great tips and I support them. Do these things!

For me, what really moved the needle on reading more books are the following strategies:?

1. Get an e-reader.?

Buying a Kindle singlehandedly helped me read more. I think it’s because A) you can carry it around much easier, meaning your book is always with you, and B) it’s kind of like a smartphone.?

Honestly, I think my brain is a little more accustomed to screens now, so the leap from phone > kindle is easier than phone > paper. I don’t know if this is a real phenomenon, but it’s my working theory!?

E-readers are also great because you can have a few books on there at a time, allowing you to switch to another option if you’re enjoying your current book. There’s no shame in abandoning a book you don’t like!?

2. Join a book club.?

Social accountability works… you don’t want to be the person at book club who didn’t finish the book! My group meets every six weeks, and we take turns choosing the book. We hang out, have snacks, and talk about the book. It’s fun and casual and forces me to read books I wouldn’t normally pick up.?

3. Parent yourself:?

Remember when you were a kid and your parents wouldn’t let you have dessert until you finished dinner? Or no TV until the homework was done? Yeah, well it turns out you can use that same tactic as an adult—”no social media until you’ve read a chapter of your book.”?

And just like a child, I apparently need a bit of structure and rules that are in my best interest. This strategy works because it’s not saying “NO SOCIAL MEDIA EVER,” it’s just saying, “maybe in a little bit.” Often, once I’ve picked up the book, I forget about Instagram. Other times, I don’t. It’s all about the balance.?

There are a lot of different strategies that can help you read more. It’s important to try a few things out and see what works for you. Reading is not a competition, or a race, or something to “accomplish.” So take the pressure off and simply see what helps you fall in love with reading again—whatever that looks like for you.?

Books that made it all worth it: 4 recommendations?

Since I started my journey to “read more” two years ago, I’ve upped my reading average to about 1-2 books a month. I’m all over the place in regards to genre and that’s really how I like it. I’ve enjoyed non-fiction and fiction alike, with books ranging from first-person autobiographies about deep childhood traumas to LOL rom-coms. There’s no right way to read.?

Reading a variety of books has had its intended purpose. I’ve felt inspired by some, challenged by others. Relaxed, energized, and entertained. Smarter and more knowledgeable. Devastated and joyous. It’s all come through the books.?

Here are just four books I’ve read in the last year or so that left a lasting impression:?

1. Happy Place by Emily Henry.?

You could probably put any Emily Henry book in this spot because I love them all. She writes delightful light-hearted romance books that are character-driven, easy to read, and relatable. They’re fun and not too serious. They have just enough ~spiciness~ and lots of swoon-worthy romance.?

Happy Place is about a couple who recently broke up, but haven’t told their friends yet so they can all enjoy a last vacation together. Hijinks ensues. It was great and I read it super quickly.?

I’m including this on the list because I used to turn my nose up at easy-breezy rom-com books. But they helped me get back into reading and have proven so joyful.?

2. Out of Sorts: Making Peace with an Evolving Faith by Sarah Bessey

Beautifully written, painfully honest, authentically relatable—Sarah Bessey tells her story with so much insight and grace. This book was a breath of fresh air amidst other faith-focused texts that are prescriptive, highlighting what and how to believe. I think we need that at times, but we also need permission to wander and be curious about deeper realities in our lives. This book did that...?

....and you can read the other two recommendations over on my blog, where this article was originally posted on October 1, 2024: https://alyssawiens.com/2024/10/01/how-to-read-more/