How I Built a Reading Habit as an Adult

Growing up, I was an avid reader. I devoured books, lost myself in stories, and filled entire afternoons turning pages. But somewhere along the way — between school, work, and the constant pull of screens — my reading habit fell by the wayside.

Books collected dust on my shelves. Articles sat bookmarked but unread. And the thought of picking up a novel felt more like a chore than a pleasure. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to read — it was that I couldn’t seem to find the time, focus, or motivation to do it.

But I missed it. I missed the feeling of getting lost in a story, the satisfaction of finishing a book, and the quiet, reflective space that reading created. So, I decided to rebuild my reading habit, one small step at a time. Here’s how I did it — and what I learned along the way.

1. Letting Go of the “Shoulds”
When I first tried to rekindle my reading habit, I made the classic mistake of forcing myself to read what I thought I “should” read — self-help books, classic novels, intellectual nonfiction.

But every time I tried to get through one of these books, I found myself losing interest, zoning out, or scrolling through my phone instead. Reading felt like another item on my to-do list, another obligation to check off.

That’s when I asked myself: What do I actually feel like reading?

The answer surprised me. Instead of dense nonfiction or literary fiction, I craved mysteries, memoirs, and novels that felt like comfort reads — the kinds of books I loved as a kid but felt “too grown-up” to enjoy now.

Giving myself permission to read what I wanted, not what I “should,” was the first step in making reading feel like a joy rather than a task.

2. Starting Small, Really Small
Rebuilding a habit requires consistency, but diving straight into a 500-page novel felt daunting. Instead, I started with short, manageable reads:

Short Stories: Anthologies allowed me to read one story at a time, offering a sense of completion without the commitment of a full novel.

Essays and Articles: Reading a single essay or long-form article felt less intimidating than starting a whole book.

Novellas and Graphic Novels: Shorter formats kept me engaged and gave me a sense of accomplishment after finishing each one.

By choosing shorter reads, I experienced the satisfaction of finishing something, which motivated me to keep going.

3. Creating a Reading Ritual
Reading used to be something I did whenever I felt like it — which, as it turned out, was rarely ever. To make it a habit, I needed to create a designated reading time and space.

Morning Pages: I started setting aside 10-15 minutes each morning to read a few pages with my coffee. It became a calm, grounding way to start the day.

Bedtime Reading: Instead of scrolling through my phone before bed, I placed a book on my nightstand. Even if I only read a few pages, it helped me wind down and unplug.

Waiting Time: I kept a small book or e-reader in my bag, making it easy to read during commutes, waiting rooms, or lunch breaks.

Turning reading into a ritual — rather than a random activity — helped me carve out consistent time for it, no matter how busy the day got.

4. Tracking Progress Without Pressure
In the past, I’d set ambitious reading goals — 50 books a year, one book a week, a chapter a day. But those goals quickly felt like pressure rather than motivation.

This time, I took a gentler approach. Instead of setting strict targets, I tracked my reading in a simple, low-pressure way:

Book Journal: I started jotting down the titles of books I read, along with brief notes or favorite quotes. This made reading feel more intentional without being a competition.

Page Count Tracker: Instead of aiming to finish a book in a week, I aimed to read just 10 pages a day. Some days, I read more; some days, I read less. But the goal was small enough to be sustainable.

Reading Challenges: Rather than focusing on quantity, I set thematic challenges — “read one memoir,” “read a book set in another country,” “read a book by a debut author.” This kept reading interesting without the pressure of a specific number.

5. Connecting with a Reading Community
Reading can be a solitary activity, but finding ways to connect with other readers made it feel more engaging and rewarding.

Book Clubs: I joined a casual book club with friends, where we met once a month to discuss a book over coffee.

Online Reading Groups: I participated in online forums where people shared book recommendations and reading challenges.

Social Media: Following bookstagram accounts and reading communities reminded me that books were still a vibrant part of people’s lives — and that I wanted them to be a part of mine too.

Talking about books, sharing recommendations, and hearing other people’s thoughts on what they were reading kept me motivated to keep going.

6. Embracing DNF (Did Not Finish)
One of the biggest lessons I learned was that not every book is worth finishing. In the past, I forced myself to complete every book I started, even if it bored or frustrated me.

Now, I give myself permission to put down books that don’t resonate. If I’m not enjoying it by the 50-page mark, I move on to something else.

This simple practice made reading feel less like a chore and more like a choice. It also opened up space to explore books that genuinely captivated me, rather than ones I felt obligated to finish.

What I Gained from Rebuilding My Reading Habit
Mental Clarity and Calm: Reading became a way to unplug from screens, slow down, and focus on a single task. It felt like a mental reset — a way to quiet my mind after a hectic day.

A Sense of Accomplishment: Finishing a book, no matter how short, brought a sense of completion and pride. It reminded me that small, consistent efforts can add up over time.

Reconnection with Curiosity: Reading reignited my curiosity and sense of wonder. It exposed me to new ideas, different perspectives, and worlds beyond my own.

A Renewed Love for Stories: Rebuilding my reading habit reminded me of the joy of getting lost in a good story, of meeting characters who felt like friends, and of feeling that gentle ache when a book ended.

The Takeaway: Small Steps, Big Impact
Building a reading habit as an adult wasn’t about diving straight into thick novels or setting lofty goals. It was about taking small, intentional steps — a few pages here, a chapter there — and finding the joy in those moments.

Reading doesn’t have to be a grand, time-consuming activity. It can be a 10-minute escape in the morning, a chapter before bed, or a poem over lunch. It can be a way to reconnect with ourselves, expand our minds, and remind us that even in a noisy, screen-filled world, there’s still magic in the simple act of turning a page.