I first learned of Taylor Lorenz when she was a guest on theBad on Paper podcast. She is a technology writer for the New York Times and writes on a variety of topics that center around social media. I was initially intrigued by the podcast because of an article she wrote about Tik Tok’s ‘Hype House’. On the podcast, she provided behind the scenes information and her personal thoughts on the story. Beyond her intensive Tik Tok knowledge, I began to be interested in Lorenz as a person as she had an unconventional career path that led her to her current position at the Times. As someone who is interested in writing and social media, her journey inspired me and I started to read more of her articles.
On April 1st 2020, Lorenz published an article entitled Stop Trying to Be Productive. A few on my favorite Instagram influencers positively shared the link to the article in their stories so I felt inclined to read it. In the article, Lorenz writes about how several people intended to stay productive during quarantine, but fell short on their goals. One of her examples is a couple who planned to paint and remodel their kitchen, but after purchasing the supplies, did not start the project. She connects this need and desire for productivity to technology by pointing out numerous blog posts and articles oriented around organization, cooking, and exercise that are circulating the internet during this time. These articles are intended to inspire and motivate readers, but rather make people feel idle. My favorite part of the article is the very first line where she says, “The internet wants you to believe you aren’t doing enough with all that “extra time” you have now. But staying inside and attending to basic needs is plenty.”
This article really hit home for me. When classes transitioned from meeting in person to online and I no longer need to commute an hour each way to go to school, I had a whole list of tasks I thought I would be able to accomplish. I dreamt of reading more books, testing more complex recipes, and doing extra credit work for school. I quickly discovered that tackling this list would be more difficult than I thought. I was not in the right mind frame to sit down and read a book the first few weeks of quarantine. My mind was consumed with thinking about my husband, my family, and the world and there was no room for much else. As for complex recipes… we are lucky if our grocery store has flour and chicken let alone a list of ingredients. As for extra credit, it was difficult to ease back into school after having a two week break and adjusting to full online learning. After the time I devoted to completing just basic course work, I did not feel up to doing extra work. I felt major comfort hearing that simply by staying at home and taking care my myself and my husband is enough.
I hope the ideas talked about in this article can bring you some comfort during this time. What is something you have done with your time that has brought you joy? Happy reading!
In order to create some sort of routine during quarantine, I decided to read a devotional every morning right when I wake up. For the past few weeks, reading a page from Jesus Calling by Sarah Young and Live in Grace, Walk in Love by Bob Goff has set a positive tone for my day. I love sitting in my comfy chair in my living room with a cup of coffee and reading my books. My morning ritual gives me something to look forward to every night before I go to bed. I found that I was craving that feeling of contentment in the evenings. I decided to start reading 100 Days to Brave by Annie Downs after dinner when I drink my nightly tea (I really like beverages!)
A quote from Annie’s book really resonated me. In an entry entitled, Your Mind, she writes:
Your mind is a container, but it’s a fragile container. So being brave means taking measures to protect it. Things are going to fill it- that’s just the nature of your mind. It’s up to you to decide what gets to fill the container. (Downs 25)
During the past few weeks, I have seen the same two books repeatedly recommended on people’s reading lists on blogs and Instagram. I requested said books from the library and anticipated their availability. When it was my turn to borrow the ebooks, instead of excitement, I experienced hesitation. The two books center around death, divorce, and heartbreak. Initially, I thought, “These books are highly recommended by so many people! They must be good!” This is when I remembered the Annie Downs quote. Just because the books are good for other people does not mean they are good for me.
During our in class blog workshop, I was asked my opinion on when to stop reading a book and when to persist if the reader is not liking the story. I was also asked if I would consider sharing books I have not enjoyed to contrast the list of book I have loved. To be honest- I never read books I do not like, unless it is required for school. This is because I do not like “filling my container” with narratives that make me feel fearful, sad, and defeated. This is not to say that I need life to be sunshine and rainbows all of the time, BUT, I live with a chronic health issue and the world and the news can be heavy enough without me adding to it with sorrowful, elective reading.
This goes for more than just reading. I try to only follow accounts on social media that inspire me and bring me joy. I do not watch many twisted television shows or movies because they just do not make me feel good. I did not name the titles of the books I got from the library because I am sure they are great reads and they are praised by many other readers. This post is not about the books, but rather about me and how I choose to fill my brain.
Even if a book, movie, product, recipe etc. is highly praised or recommended, does not mean you have to like it. It does not mean that there is something wrong with you, or that you are weird, or that you need to change. It’s simply not for you. Fill your container with what works and feels right to you.
Happy reading!
Downs, Annie F. 100 Days to Brave: Devotions for Unlocking Your Most Courageous Self. Zondervan on Brilliance Audio, 2017.
I previously confessed that my favorite show is The Bachelor. Well today I am making another confession. I grew up an extremely picky eater. I ate pasta and sauce, mac and cheese, and chicken nuggets on rotation and not much else. I refused fruits and vegetables and I could never eat dinner at a friend’s house because their dinner was never something I would eat. My poor mom. With all of that said, only recently have I started making strides in the eating department. I have always struggled with migraines and I am allergic to anti-inflammatories (ie: Advil). One day, after being fed up with yet another headache, I looked up natural anti-inflammatories and read all about foods that have anti-inflammatory properties. This started my journey into cooking my own meals at home to reduce the inflammation in my body without medication. I am not perfect and I still have a long way to go, but cooking this way and just making my own meals in general, has helped me immensely.
During a recent class workshop, my classmate Juliasuggested a list of ‘quick reads’. I thought it was the perfect opportunity to share some of my favorite food blogs. Everyone right now is cooking more at home and these bloggers are great resources of inspiration and expertise.
Danielle Walker is a food blogger and cookbook author whose niche is gluten-free and grain-free cooking. I was drawn to her because she started cooking this way when she developed an autoimmune disease and she made changes to her diet to improve her health. In addition to sharing recipes, she openly shares about her family life, holiday preparation, and self-care ideas. During the past few weeks of quarantine, she has done a Halloween week, Thanksgiving week, and Christmas week with her kids and is sharing all of her ideas on her blog and Instagram page. I love checking her page everyday; yesterday she even put up a Christmas tree (!!!).
Ali Martin features traditional, comfort food on her blog in an approachable and refreshing way. She will post recipes that are relevant to the current season and uses bright, colorful photos. Ali’s photos are so distinguishable that you can tell a recipe is hers from one glance. I have made so many of Ali’s recipes including chicken alfredo and BBQ chicken. I love that she streamlines recipes and uses clean(er) ingredients.
I love Laura Lea’s online presence! She is very in the moment on her Instagram stories as opposed to prerecorded, which is refreshing. She will walk you through experimental lunches or late night dessert cravings. A few weeks ago, Laura released a cookbook and I cannot wait for it to come in the mail! I made her Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower last week and it was delicious.
I am so appreciative of bloggers who are still producing content during the past couple of weeks. It helps me maintain some level of normalcy to my day. Reading, preparing, and cooking meals has been a fun and creative outlet and thankful for food bloggers for their informative and motivating posts! Happy Reading!
This week is my 6th week of not leaving my apartment. Quarantine feels slow, but the days go by quickly. Does this make sense? I have shifted from attending my college courses in person to online (like many of my readers) and my husband is now working from home. So, our day to day life is looking a little different. Over the last couple of weeks, I have compiled my list of ‘Quarantine Essentials.’ These are items that have simplified my days and brought me joy. I want to share these items with you and I would love to hear the items or services that are benefitting you during this time!
Kindle Paperwhite
I have written about my love for my Kindle Paperwhite before, but my love for it has only grown during quarantine. I have found a few Instagram bookclubs (such as @ashleybrookebookclub and #LMbookclub) and I can get the books downloaded immediately on my Kindle. I am currently alternating between Buy Yourself the F*cking Lilies and Love and Gelato. I love that I am able to obtain new reads without going to a physical bookstore. I liked to read before quarantine, but now it’s a way to decompress during this ever-changing time.
I bought this t-shirt for my husband Brody from The Shop Forward and it arrived in the mail today. Brody loves watching Dr. Fauci’s briefings so I thought it was a fitting gift. Not only is the t-shirt relevant and comfortable, but the proceeds of the t-shirt sales are going towards, “delivering protective masks – along with exam gloves, isolations gowns, and other protective gear and essential items to healthcare organizations across the country in response to Coronavirus (COVID-19)” according to their website. I have purchased items from The Shop Forward before and I love the quality of their products and their mission as a business to support a variety of causes. It is a win-win purchase!
Masks
We ordered masks from Stagger Lee Goods. I love that they are high quality material and washable. If we have to wear masks during this time- we wanted to be able to support a small business with our purchase. Another win! Need to take them where I can get them.
This is my favorite exercise video right now. I love that it is short, low-impact, and effective. I live in an apartment on the second floor, so I need no jumping exercises. This video consists of full body stretches which is particularly helpful now because I’m sitting more than normal. I love doing this a few times a week to move my body.
An Airfryer
My mom gifted me an airfryer and I have used it everyday of this quarantine. I have been buying more frozen vegetables and pre-cooked meats and I love the way cooking them in the airfryer makes them taste and gives the food a crispy texture! It’s been fun experimenting with new recipes, such as this toasted ravioli with blush sauce. So. Good.
I hope everyone is staying safe and staying positive. Thank you for reading!
This week on the blog, I (virtually) interviewed author and professor Jennifer Dowling. I met Professor Dowling this semester as I am taking her Design for Integrated Media class. Professor Dowling individually introduced herself to each student as they walked in and took genuine interest in each one. As she introduced herself to the class as a whole, she mentioned that she authored a book, Multimedia Demystified. As a reader, I follow many authors on social media and have learned the process of writing a book is a huge undertaking. Knowing that Professor Dowling is a mother and a professor, I wondered how the writing process was for her. Initially, we planned to meet in person, but were unable to due to COVID-19. I am so thankful to Professor Dowling for completing the interview virtually during this tumultuous time.
Introduction from Jennifer Dowling:
“I have always liked to write. Part of the reason I am proficient at it is because my mother was an English teacher, so she would correct both my writing and diction as I was growing up. That made me more conscientious, which influenced me and my writing into my adulthood. I still like to write poetry and prose, mainly as a creative expression and a fulfilling outlet. A few years ago, I had a poem selected for the Poetry Garden contest in my town, which was displayed in the actual garden along Lake Cochituate. I have done a lot of writing in my profession, mainly for teaching my courses, grant applications, educational assessment, and also artist statements and art reviews. These experiences have improved my writing and continue to provide enough variety to maintain my interest.”
Q: What inspired you to write Multimedia Demystified? Who was your target audience?
A: “For my Master’s degree, I focused on digital media and interactive design. With this background, I know a lot and had been sharing it mostly through teaching and with my colleagues. I had often thought about ways to share this knowledge and expand what I had to offer beyond the confines of the college campus. I have written articles and applied for grants, which have had a strong technical and pedagogical focus. McGraw-Hill Publishers approached me in 2010 with an offer to write a book for their Demystified series. Having been handed such a prime opportunity, I knew I had to pursue it.
Before they presented me with an official contract, I was asked to provide an abstract for the book, including a complete proposal, which was followed by a tentative Table of Contents. The publishers then had to determine if this initial plan and the terms I stipulated were something they wanted to commit to. It was ultimately approved and then I was paid an advance, which helped financially while I was writing the book. At the time that I began writing it, I was also teaching full-time, with a family and two young children, so it was a challenge to find time to get it all done within the allotted timeframe. I essentially didn’t sleep much! I wrote and illustrated the book in 6 months (200+ pages and numerous original illustrations, photos, and charts). Then the editing process started with many editors getting involved. This took another 5-6 months until it was completed with a finished proof before going to press.
The book is geared toward college students and professionals wanting to learn fundamentals about digital media, the history behind it, and corresponding technologies. It is considered a “trade” publication and not an academic one per se, meaning it is not an educational publication for textbook adoption. The appeal is wider and therefore reaches more audiences. Demystified titles are also part of series, similar to Dummies books.”
Q: What is one thing you learned through the process of writing or publishing Multimedia Demystified? (In regards to yourself, the writing process, or publishing industry.)
A: “The onus and primary responsibility is on the writer to initiate and produce the book, keep writing, be organized and self-disciplined, and meet all required deadlines. Working with editors was a bigger part of it than I realized it would be, but extremely helpful in the end. I worked primarily with the managing editor initially, then had to select a technical editor while I was writing the chapters. He was tremendously influential in certain aspects of the book that needed to be specific and accurate. The way the technical facts are worded, organized, and presented is essential to the success of such a book. Also, the education I received in writing, illustrating, and publishing a book of my own was enlightening in all aspects. This was the equivalent of a semester-long college course with the benefit of working with a professional group of experienced editors and publishers!”
Q: What was/ is your favorite moment of feedback in regards to the book? (ie: a written review or in person feedback)
A: “I presented my book at Barnes and Noble, which was accompanied by a book signing. I was proud to have achieved my goal of writing a book with a major publishing company, and delighted to share it with family, friends, and the public at large. I still receive royalty checks and got my largest one recently, nine years after writing it! That means people are still buying it and getting something out of it. This is ongoing feedback that I relish.”
Q: What are you reading now during this tumultuous time that is interesting, informative, or relaxing to you? (it could be a book, website, blog etc.)
A: “Honestly, it has been hard to focus on reading books lately, so I follow news (mostly NPR), blogs that chronicle events as they unfold (medical professionals and academics), and social media posts regarding the virus (data mostly, to stay in formed), helping people in need, and vaccine developments, etc. However, in the past week or so I have been trying to move away from all the depressing news and reading art books and articles on creativity. These are about techniques and artistic approaches, mainly for insight and inspiration. Since I have an undergraduate degree in the fine arts and have always liked to draw and paint, I still engage in those things when I have time as well as create mixed media pieces and mosaics. I have participated in several book groups over the years where we have read mostly fiction. I am not in such a group right now because I have eclectic interests and would rather select my own. I prefer non-fiction, biographies, autobiographies/memoirs, and practical how-to books. I also enjoy reading poetry and cookbooks to calm my mind and feed my body and soul!”
I want to thank Professor Dowling again for such an informative and interesting interview; I could have asked her so many more questions! As someone who enjoys writing of all kinds, I am inspired by the fact that Professor Dowling does not limit herself to one kind of writing. She has written a trade publication, poetry, and art reviews. I admire that she wrote a book to teach people new skills, but through the process of writing learned lessons herself from editors. Lastly, I love learning that several years later people are actively purchasing her book! That proves the timelessness of the content. Jennifer Dowling’s book, Multimedia Demystified, is linked here. If you have any comments or questions please leave them in the comments section. Happy reading!
It is April 2020 as I am writing this blog post. COVID 19 or the Coronavirus is impacting everyone’s lives in various ways. People are experiencing sickness, unemployment, financial struggles, and change in routine. Non-essential workers have shifted to working from home, music artists have canceled their tours, and travel has significantly decreased.
Ashley Spivey is a former Bachelor contestant, NYC nanny, and avid reader. She has always shared her favorite books on her social media accounts and in 2017 she created the Spivey’s Book Club group on Facebook. A virtual book club is held within the group with selections chosen by Ashley and group members. The group is a place for book lovers to share their favorite reads and discuss them with one another. As of this month, the group has just under 17,000 members.
On March 16th, Ashley Spivey tweeted, “I know this isn’t much but I would like to offer my book club’s Instagram account and Facebook account to any author who had to cancel their book tour due to the virus. You can do a digital book stop by doing a takeover for the day, a Q&A session, or even a giveaway!” It has been under a month since this tweet was published and there have been 14 of what she is calling “Book Tour Stops.” The books being highlighted include novels, memoirs, thrillers, and self-health (no, that is not a typo!). The authors have the opportunity to introduce themselves and their books, ask questions, offer a giveaway for the book, and share where the book is available for purchase. Each post has copious likes and comments. Some people commented that they were adding the book to the ‘to be read’ pile, some asked questions about the book’s plot, some asked questions about the author’s life. In an article written by Casey Mendoza on Newsy, she explains “For authors, in-person reading and signings are important to drive book sales and grow fan bases. But they take months of planning and cost thousands of dollars in travel expenses,” (Mendoza). It is well known that concerts and variety shows are cancelled or postponed for now, but the dissolution of present book tours is not as talked about.
A cookbook author that I follow on Instagram, Laura Lea released a cookbook, Simply Laura Lea, this past week. For the past two years, Laura has shared the recipe testing, photography, tasting, editing, and planning that went into the creation of her cookbook. She had events planned to meet followers and readers, demo recipes, and promote the cookbook. Now those events have been cancelled. Watching Laura go through the writing and publishing process of her cookbook on Instagram made me appreciate the time, energy, and passion goes into writing a book. After all of her efforts, it must be disappointing to have to cancel the events. This is why I find Ashley’s idea to offer a virtual book tour stop on her Facebook and Instagram pages so encouraging! She is offering a place for authors to share their works with her generous audience. In a time with so much bad news in the media, Ashley’s innovation and generosity to authors is refreshing! Ashley tweeted that it “isn’t much” but I think it is significant to authors and readers alike.
We are so fortunate that in this time in history, there are several ways to consume a book. I love walking around a bookstore and looking at all of the thoughtfully designed book covers and reading the summary on the back cover. While this is an enjoyable activity to do on the weekends or on vacation, this is not always practical in day to day life. I cannot always get to the bookstore or sometimes the store does not have the one specific book that I am interested in purchasing. This is when the other reading options become advantageous. I like to read physical books, listen to audiobooks, and using a Kindle Paperwhite. Out of those options, e-books on my Kindle Paperwhite are my favorite way to read a book.
On the Kindle Paperwhite, you can buy e-books at the Kindle Store through Amazon. Any book that I have ever wanted to read is available at the Kindle Store. I like the author Elin Hilderbrand. She has written so many books that bookstores often do not carry all of them. However, they are all readily available at the Kindle Store and can be downloaded onto a Kindle.
New Kindle books are less expensive than hardcover books or audio versions. A favorite author of mine, Jen Hatmaker, has a new book, Fierce, Free, and Full of Fire, coming out later this month. The pre-order cost of a hardcover is $22.49, the cost of the audio version $26.94, but Kindle version is $12.99. Although prices vary, Kindle books tend to cost significantly less than the other options.
If you’re looking to save even more money, you can borrow library books on the Kindle. There are apps that allow you to borrow digital books from your local library. I personally using Overdrive to borrow books that I don’t need to keep long term or when I am wanting to save money.
You can easily bring a Kindle with you anywhere. Kindles fit easily into a bag or backpack, making it simple to carry with you in the car, to an appointment, or to the beach. Traveling with a hardcover or paperback book can be difficult because they can be bulky and heavy. With the light and slim design of the Kindle, it is convenient to carry with you.
The screen is lit! The Kindle has a built-in light so you can read it in any lighting situation. At night, you are able to read in bed by turning up the brightness. At the beach, you can read in the sun by turning down the brightness to avoid glare. I like to read on my kindle before going to bed because I can read with the lights off and still see the screen.
There is a time for physical books and a time for audiobooks, but the Kindle wins in my opinion. It is the most versatile option in terms of ways to obtain books and usability. I would love to hear your opinions! Do you prefer hardcovers? E-books? Audiobooks? There is no wrong answer, reading in any form in a win!
There is a vlogger that I am subscribed to on YouTube named Zoe Sugg who will often go on for weeks without uploading any videos. When a new video finally does appear, she will often explain that “vlogging fear” prevented her from recording and uploading new content. I never understood this and often thought “How could she be fearful of vlogging when it is her career?” However, as I ease back into classes after a two-week break, I have struggled to sit down and focus on typing out a blog post. Even though I have been a student for most of my life and am used to assignments and deadlines, I have developed a bit of “blogging fear” myself. I struggle with feeling confident in the content that I produce and rather than doing my best and posting, I tend to just avoid it all together. Perhaps this is what Zoe deals with too. Taking a break from writing posts for two weeks and starting online courses has strengthened this fear, but I want to overcome it!
The tagline of my blog is “pursuing peace, one page at a time.” During the past few weeks of unknown with COVID-19, this statement has held true for me. Reading allows me to turn my mind away from what is on the news and give my brain a break. A blogger I follow Ashley Brooke, hosts a virtual book club on her website and I read March’s selection, Tweet Cuteby Emma Lord. The book actually made me think about my Writing for Online and Social Media class because the book centers around the two main characters, Pepper and Jack and a Twitter war between their two family businesses. The book is really cute and the perfect distraction during quarantine. Through her book club page, I found my next read The Flatshareby Beth O’Leary about a man and woman, Leon and Tiffy, who share an apartment, but never see each other. Tiffy works during the day at a publishing company and Leon works nights as a nurse. They begin to communicate with each other through written notes and their friendship develops from there. I loved the main characters in this book and how their connection grows from writing to each other.
My TBR (to be read) pile is also growing during this time. I purchased the children’s book, Love Does for Kids by Bob Goff. I read the adult version of this book and loved it. For this version of the book, the author collaborated with his daughter to modify the book for children and added illustrations. I received the book in the mail and the pictures are bright and colorful and Bob’s writing is the same. I think I want to treat this book like a devotional and try to read a chapter a day while I am quarantined at home. I will keep you posted! Another book that I added to my reading list is Buy Yourself the F*cking Lilies by Tara Schuster. The title of this book caught my attention, because I’m the kind of person who stresses over a $5 purchase from CVS, so when I saw someone I follow on Instagram was also reading it, I took it as a sign that I needed to buy the book.
I hope everyone reading is safe and sane at home! Let me know if you are reading or interested in reading anything particular during this quarantine! I would love to add more to my list. Thank you for reading!
I have a confession to make. My favorite TV show is The Bachelor. I know, I know. I would call it a guilty pleasure, but I am not guilty about it at all. I began watching the show with my mom when I was 14 years old and have been tuning in every Monday night to watch since then! I love the television show for the drama, the roses, the traveling, and the love stories, but it also feels nostalgic to me because it reminds me of watching the show with my family at home, feeling joyful and content. In addition to watching the show, I watch YouTube videos, listen to podcasts, and read magazines and read books all about the reality show. I love it on so many levels.
This week, on March 10th, 2020, was the finale of Peter Weber’s season (better known as Pilot Pete). This is said every season, but in my opinion, last night’s episode was truly the Most. Dramatic. Ever. In short, during the finale Peter was faced with the decision of who he wanted to propose to between his final two women. Peter decided to propose to Hannah Ann. We, then, learn that since the proposal they have broken up and he has started dating the other woman, Madison. On top of all of this, Peter’s mom, Barbara, had some very harsh and critical commentary about Peter’s actions and choices. It was truly entertaining to watch. Every year, I think about how the current season compares to the last. (EDIT: Since writing this article, Peter and Madison have parted ways.)
All of this got me thinking about the books that I have read authored by people who have been on The Bachelor or The Bachelorette. I think it’s so much fun to read about the behind the scenes details about what went on during the filming of the show. To be honest, none of the books I have read written by a past Bachelor or Bachelorette technically well written. However, I am willing to look past this because I enjoy the stories and information.
I have read books written by past contestants including Emily Maynard, Andi Dorfman, Amanda Stanton, and Sean Lowe. My favorite parts about reading these books are learning more about the contestant’s lives before they were of the show and discovering events that happens during filming that were not aired on television. For instance, Emily Maynard was the Bachelorette is 2011, but before then, she was in a serious relationship and he tragically passed away in a plane crash. Shortly after this happened, she found out that she was pregnant with his child. The book goes into more detail about this time in her life. Reading new information about the contestants adds to the overall experience of watching the show as it provides more background and context.
As this week draws to a close, I am thankful to for television shows like this and the enjoyable books that are written as a result. This week’s news was filled with scary unknowns about the COVID-19 virus. The surprising finale of The Bachelor was a welcomed conversation alternative. As many of us shift towards spending more time at home, consider picking up one of these books for a light read!
As you may be able to tell from my previous posts, I love quotes. I find them in books, by listening to podcasts, and scrolling through Pinterest. One quote I found through one of these avenues that I love is, “Instead of saying ‘I don’t have time” try saying “it’s not a priority,’ and see how that feels.” This quote was written by Laura Vanderkam in a Wall Street Journal article about busyness. I often think of this quote when I am feeling busy and overwhelmed. It helps me narrow down what in my schedule is important to me.
I have determined that spending time with my family, education, health, and rest are my current and top priorities. A way that I am able to rest and relax my mind is by reading and this is why I make time to do it. I am going to share with you the ways I plan time to read.
Listening to books in the car
Audiobooks are a lifesaver for my ears on my hour-long commute to school. Listening to books using my phone is a way for me to intake a book without physically reading words on a page. I am able to combine two time consuming activities, commuting and reading, and do both at the same time. I particularly enjoy books that are narrated by the author themselves. My favorite audiobooks are Year of Yesby Shonda Rhimes and Talking as Fast as I Can by Lauren Graham. The author’s voice reading their own words is so authentic and create an interesting listening experience. I use Audible and Overdrive as platforms to listen to audiobooks.
Reading while waiting
I pack my kindle in my bag or backpack wherever I go. At school, I will pull out my kindle to read before class starts or in between my morning and afternoon classes. I enjoy doing this because I otherwise use that time passively looking at my phone or worrying about schoolwork. Instead, I am able to feel productive, yet calm before my next class.
Waking up 10-15 minutes earlier
This semester, I have a two early morning classes and I do not like waking up and rushing to campus. My day is always better if I am able to wake up even a few minutes earlier than needed to have time to drink a cup of coffee and read a few pages of a book. This is when I will typically read my devotional type books that are only a page long for each day.
Going to bed 15-30 minutes earlier
I usually will watch a television show to unwind before I go to bed. The problem with this is that it is far too easy to pair watching TV with scrolling on Instagram, Tik Tok, and Twitter. What was once calming, is now another overstimulating activity. Instead, I am trying to go to bed earlier and spend that time reading.
I understand that not all of these methods will work for everyone, but implementing even one of these ideas will help you to add some reading time into your day. With that said, what are some ways you fit reading into your life? I am always looking to learn new tips and tricks. Happy Reading!
Emily's Bookshelf 