How to Start a Reading Routine (And Stick With It)
- Rea Weeks
- May 20
- 4 min read
If you’ve ever bought a book you were excited about… and then watched it sit on the nightstand for weeks, you’re not alone. The biggest secret to becoming “a reader” isn’t speed-reading, fancy book lists, or having more free time—it’s building a routine that fits your real life.
Below is a simple, low-pressure way to start reading consistently, even if your schedule is busy or your attention span has been feeling a little scattered lately.
1) Pick a why that actually matters to you
A reading routine sticks when it supports something you genuinely want—rest, learning, inspiration, or a little escape.
Try finishing this sentence:
“I want to read because it helps me feel…”
“Reading would make my days better by…”
“I miss the version of me that…”
Write your “why” in one line and keep it somewhere visible (notes app, planner, bookmark). When motivation dips, that one line becomes your anchor.
2) Make the goal smaller than you think it should be
Most reading routines fail because the goal is too big at the start.
Instead of:
“I’m going to read 30 minutes a day,”
Try:
Read 2 pages
Read for 5 minutes
Read one chapter OR one scene
Read while the kettle boils
Small goals work because they’re easy to begin—and beginning is the hardest part. Once you start, you’ll often keep going naturally.
Tip: If you have the urge to set a big goal, keep it as a bonus:
“Read 5 minutes (bonus: 15 more if I want).”
3) Attach reading to something you already do (habit stacking)
Willpower is unreliable. Systems are better.
Pick one “anchor habit” you already do daily and link reading to it:
After I make coffee, I read 2 pages.
After I brush my teeth, I read for 5 minutes.
After I eat lunch, I read one chapter.
When I get into bed, I read before scrolling.
Choose one anchor to start. Consistency beats complexity.
4) Keep your book visible and within reach
We do what’s easy. If your book lives in a bag in another room, reading becomes a chore.
Make reading frictionless:
Keep one book where you relax (couch, bed, favorite chair).
Keep a second “waiting book” for places you lose time (car, purse, office).
If you use an e-reader or phone app, move it to your home screen so it’s easier to tap than social media.
Visibility is a cue. Cues create routines.
5) Choose the right book for the season you’re in
Sometimes the problem isn’t you—it’s the book.
If life is heavy or busy, it’s okay to choose something lighter, shorter, or more engaging. Give yourself permission to read what matches your current capacity:
Short chapters
Fast-paced fiction
Cozy, comforting rereads
Essays or devotionals
Audiobooks for “hands-busy” moments
You don’t have to earn “serious reading.” Reading is reading.
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6) Create a simple reading environment (no perfection needed)
A reading routine doesn’t require a perfectly quiet house or a brand-new planner. It just needs a few small supports.
Try one or two of these:
Put your phone on Do Not Disturb for 10 minutes
Use a soft lamp instead of overhead lighting at night
Play low, lyric-free music
Keep a drink nearby so you don’t get up mid-session
The goal is not aesthetic perfection—it’s making it easy to stay once you’ve started.
7) Track your reading in a way that feels encouraging (not strict)
Tracking helps because it gives your brain proof that you’re showing up.
Keep it simple:
Put an X on the calendar each day you read
Write the date + page number on a sticky note
Keep a “finished books” list (even if it’s short!)
Take a quick photo of the book you’re currently reading
If you enjoy printables or checklists, having a gentle tracker you actually like using can make the routine feel more inviting. If you want something pretty to keep you consistent, I have reading-themed downloads in my shop that are designed to be simple and calming—not intense or guilt-inducing.
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8) Plan for the two things that derail routines: busy days and boredom
Busy-day plan (minimum):
“On busy days, I read 1 page (or 2 minutes).”
Boredom plan (permission):
“If I’m not enjoying this book after 50 pages, I’m allowed to switch.”
A routine sticks when it has flexibility built in. You don’t need to be perfect—you need to be able to restart quickly.
9) Add a little joy: make reading feel like a treat
Reading becomes easier to repeat when it feels good.
Pair it with something cozy:
A blanket
Tea or coffee
A specific reading spot
A “reading hour” playlist
A weekly mini reset: tidy your reading corner, refill your bookmark, pick your next chapter goal
This is one of the best mindset shifts: you’re not “trying to be disciplined.” You’re creating a moment you look forward to.
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Quick recap (save this)
Start with a meaningful why
Make the goal tiny (2 pages is enough)
Attach reading to an existing habit
Keep your book visible
Choose books that fit your season
Track gently
Plan for busy days and boredom
Make it cozy so you’ll want to return
🌟 Final Thoughts
Your reading routine doesn’t need to be intense. It just needs to be yours—and repeatable.
Rea 🌻Creator of A Rea of Treasures
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