In Search Of Extra Time: April’s Way

Ferris Bueller's Day Off Relaxing

Ferris Bueller

Ferris Bueller once said, ‘Life moves pretty fast,” I am sure you know the rest of the quote. With the constant calls on our time, the question at Weekly Geeks is, how do you find that extra hour for reading.

Ya’ll I lead a busy life. I’m not a recluse. I work full time and take a class. I also sleep 8-9 hours per night. I work out. I eat.

SO, how in the hell do I make time to read and read all of the books I do?

Well, I never go anywhere without a book. I keep a physical book in my bag. I have an ebook and a podcast audiobook on my iphone. I also have an audiobook on my ipod at all times. When I can catch a few minutes between tasks, I will typically read the ebook on my phone. If I am trapped in line at the store, I start reading the ebook on my phone. If it’s the few minutes before class starts, usually I whip out my physical book.

I find audiobooks to be in a special class of reading time. Whenever I have a mindless task, like chores or driving, I pop on my audiobook. For my job, I drive a lot, because I am an educator, I have to drive all over the county to speak in schools. On those drives, I listen to audiobooks. Seriously, there’s nothing like slipping into some Harry Potter on a rainy drive or during an otherwise boring task (like dishes).

I also find audiobooks to be conducive to reading and working out. Guys, I say this all the time, but blogging is making me heavy. I was lithe at one point, but have put on some lbs. SO, in an effort to be back to what is my personal normal weight, I have started running again. Working out isn’t such a waste of time when I have an audiobook going.

I rarely put aside certain times of the day to read. This is because I never know what my schedule is going to be, or if I am going to be in the mood to read. I feel if I say I am going to do it at time A every day it becomes a chore. Although, I do read right before bed and in the morning as I’m waiting for my coffee. As for putting aside specific days to read, I get most of my reading done on the weekends. I usually have full weekends off, so I read during the morning and the afternoon. Sometimes at night if I don’t have plans.

I do get interrupted quite a bit in my reading, because people like to talk, and because I don’t think it’s fair to ignore my boyfriend for books. However, when he’s playing video games or watching football, that’s fair game for reading time. I guess the best you can do is just go with the flow. If it’s clear I’m not needed then I have no qualms about whipping out a book.

So, how do you find time to get all your reading done?

The following two tabs change content below.
April is in her 30s and created Good Books And Good Wine. She works for a non-profit. April always has a book on hand. In her free time she can be found binge watching The Office with her husband and toddler, spending way too much time on Pinterest or exploring her neighborhood.
About April (Books&Wine)

April is in her 30s and created Good Books And Good Wine. She works for a non-profit. April always has a book on hand. In her free time she can be found binge watching The Office with her husband and toddler, spending way too much time on Pinterest or exploring her neighborhood.

Comments

  1. I always have too much time to read. I’m trying to convince myself to do other things…that’s the danger of being a stay at home mom after the kids are in school!

  2. I love sports but they are totally my reading time. I love the days when we are watching football or baseball and I can read and just look up when I want to! The bf loves it too because I don’t talk to him during the games! 🙂

    I’ve been struggling with finding time to read since I started blogging. There is more pressure to keep on reading so I’m definitely going to be checking out some audiobooks and take your advice. My life is too busy and I need to be more efficient with all of this! Great post! I learn so much from you all the time! 🙂

  3. This is exactly what I want to start doing with my time! Trying to find just 15 minutes here and there to read instead of waiting to see if I have a couple hours free to read at a time.

  4. I need to take some tips from you and load up some ebooks to the iPhone for sure!

    Mostly, I read at work when it’s slow (usually a couple hours a night if I’m not studying, WHICH I usually am) and when I get home before bed. I wish I had more time, dangit. I, like you, definitely have way too busy of a life to read as much as I want!

  5. I always have people tell me “I can’t read unless it’s quiet.” or “I can’t read if I’m going to get interrupted.” That would never work for me. I read everywhere, and always have a book with me. I can read 1/2 page at a time if necessary . . . .

  6. I am in awe of you working out AND taking a class. Go you! I agree with the take a book everywhere (if Rory Gilmore taught me anything…) although I don’t take them to social occassions unless I have to travel on public transport to get there. It’s very rare there will be a reading gap in the pub 🙂

  7. I always have a book with me too. You never know when you’ll get a few minutes of down time and it’s always nice to have a book on hand. I should really start working out and your idea of audiobooks might actually get my fat a** motivated to get on the treadmill!

  8. I get most of my reading done during my lunch hour at work. And if I have time while I’m home I do it.

    I feel you in the secretary ass department but mine’s not from blogging. I’m still working through the mass of candy I bought home from vacation and, well, I’m not walking nearly as much as I was then.

  9. Oh wow, you get 8 hours of sleep everyday? I blogged about that a couple of days ago – whether people would rather sleep or read. I’m like you, I carry around a book wherever I go so I can whip it out when I’m waiting in line for something.

  10. I read in a similar way to you. I always listen to audiobooks in the car, while making dinner or doing dishes and while taking a shower. I keep e-books on my iPhone for when I’m stuck in a line. I keep a hardcopy of a book in my purse everywhere I go. I don’t set times aside, but I find that times present themselves, you just have to have a book with you.

  11. I need to get some sort of portable device I can put my audiobooks on. Right now I just listen to them on my computer and can’t listen to them when I’m driving 🙁