My Journey Towards Self-Growth Through the Pages I Read

My Guide to Make Reading a Feel-Good Habit

Oddly enough, my earliest reading memory is of my dad immersing me in Baron Munchausen’s fantastic adventures. He made me read aloud to him before school in the mornings. I vividly remember the red cover and the small illustrations.

At the time, I couldn’t wait for our little two-person book club to finish. Now I wish there had been more of those mornings because a few years later my dad passed away.

Those mornings gifted me with the love of reading. With each book I open, a familiar feeling takes over that feels like a soft, warm blanket. This feeling reminds me of where my love for books began.

The pages I turn today still have the power to transport me, comfort me, and shape who I am becoming. Reading feels like the story comes to life and invites me to an exciting adventure. It takes me to a magical world where, through every story, I can experience a new point of view.

Despite my love for books, there are times when reading feels like a chore. Here is a simple guide of four steps, about what worked for me throughout the years to get out of the rut.

How to make reading enjoyable?

1. Choose your book wisely.

• Start with something easy. A short, pleasant read is easier to digest than agonising works. Long, cumbersome reads have intimidated me many times. I would avoid books for months after my ‘failure’.
• I have a few used books. I enjoy finding various notes, bookmarks, and dog-eared pages. It shows how much this book has given to someone already, and I’m excited to find out what it will give me. That is one of the reasons I prefer physical books over ebooks.

• We should enjoy our hobbies. After all, life is full of obligatory burdens; why would we want to read a book that evokes similar feelings? Read what resonates with your soul.
• Try reading different genres. Don’t read something that doesn’t excite you, and return to the genres that bring you joy.
• Change up the language. If you speak other languages, of course.

“Books are mirrors: You only see in them what you already have inside you.” — Carlos Ruiz Zafón, The Shadow of the Wind

2. Carry on living your life.

• Don’t stress about reading. Sometimes we have a lot on our plate, and reading may not be the most suitable thing to do. So, if there’s time for it and it doesn’t become an unnecessary source of stress, great. But if it’s not the right time now, it’s not worth pressuring ourselves.
• Perhaps the time will come in a few months. There’s nothing wrong with taking a break to hit the pause button.
• Listen to audiobooks. When I feel like having a break I turn to audiobooks.
• The term ‘Did Not Finish’ (DNF) exists for a reason. It’s not a crime to abandon a book.

3. Connect with others through your passion.

• Talk about what you read. That is a way to make a real impact. Your passion will be inspiring and when you lose momentum others can pick you up.
• Join a book club or create your own. Spend time with like-minded people. The sense of belonging will boost your appetite for books.
• I find reading aloud with friends, quite entertaining. We would take turns and discuss what we read. These “book readings” can be so much fun and great conversation starters too.

4. Create a feel-good atmosphere.

Be Cosy- Have Fun- Be Mindful

• I like a super cosy reading space. This varies for everyone. Define what cosy means for you and use that to your advantage. Let’s give our brains the chance to associate this activity with positive feelings.
• Just have fun.
• Treat every book you read as a learning opportunity. But without reflection, we may not notice the gift hidden in the story. Read mindfully to grasp the true message of the book. It helps if you have your system. Find what works for you best to organise your thoughts. So that you can easily find the key takeaways of the book.

Celebrate your small wins

In the coaching process celebration is an important milestone. There are many ways to celebrate finishing a book, so it is entirely up to you.

Celebrations are significant. Why?

1. They make us aware that the book has changed something within us. Every encounter leaves an impression, shaping our perception of the world and ourselves.
2. Celebrating the end of a book acknowledges the subtle but profound transformations it has brought about in us. With each story, we grow a little bit and here we celebrate that change.

“When I look back, I am so impressed again with the life-giving power of literature. If I were a young person today, trying to gain a sense of myself in the world, I would do that again by reading, just as I did when I was young.” — Maya Angelou

The next time you finish a book, take a moment to celebrate not just the completion of a story. Celebrate the growth it has nurtured within you.

Happy reading!

Jud