How to Become a Reader, Even if You Don’t Like Reading

It’s no secret that I’m a reader. Ever since I was little, my parents always encouraged reading. The Book Fair was the best week of the year, made even better by the fact that my mom worked at my school and I could use her teacher discount.

In my adult life, I’ve actually met people who don’t like to read. I somewhat understood it during school when you were forced to read books like Great Expectations, but not reading as an adult?! What do you do with your time?

Once upon a time, I dated someone who didn’t encourage my reading. He didn’t get it. He played video games and watched TV. In fact, he would start activities (like watching Game of Thrones) that made it very difficult to read! I’m embarrassed of how few books I read during that time.

It took a while, but I convinced him to pick up a book, and it kind of worked! If I can get that fool to pick up a book, I can get anyone to become a reader.

For starters, why don’t you like reading?

This is a very real question to ask yourself! For some, there were so many traumatic books read in high school that reading just lost its allure. For others, it may be an issue with dyslexia or comprehension.

For me, I’ve always liked reading. As I mentioned, it was encouraged in our home, and my parents never turned me down when I wanted a book. However, reading has also always been an escape for me. It’s a story outside of my own that I have to focus on. This comes in handy when work gets overwhelming or I’m super anxious about a flight.

Secondly, pick up a book.

Any book! Just pick one up and start it. I’d recommend starting with one that sounds interesting to you, but just pick up a book. Of course, I have a ton of recommendations if you’re looking for somewhere to start.

Step Three. READ.

Listen, you’re not competing with anyone when it comes to reading. You don’t have to read fast or read a lot. Just read something! Do your best to read for 30 minutes each day. Heck, if you’re just getting started, read for 30 minutes three times a week. Though, honestly, if you can’t read for 30 minutes a day, you may need to shuffle some priorities.

Friends, it’s that simple to become a reader. You just have to bite the bullet and do it. Reading opens up so many doors and it helps you decompress. At the end of the day, you certainly won’t regret it.