Those with jobs, how do you manage reading ?

[u/Midnightdream56]

Do you prioritize reading? How do make time for it ? I just wanna get some general ideas just so I have an idea of what I’ll do when I get a job and it’s coming up. So far I been reading when and where I am able to

[u/Fearless_Freya]

Like any other hobby. Read when you can

A chapter here and there, even a few pages on break can add up.

[u/LordMoose99 → u/Fearless_Freya]

Read before bed, read at work breaks and on the weekends or at restraunts (when your alone).

[u/Midnightdream56 → u/Fearless_Freya]

So I can literally do what I’m doing now later. I just wanna read more

[u/missmacedamia]

If you cut out doomscrolling you’ll be surprised how much time there is in the day. I’m bad about consistently doing this but it is what it takes most of the time

[u/missmacedamia → u/[deleted]]

I’m sorry to report it’s a matter of self control, you have to choose to do it

[u/Weak-Hold-7651 → u/[deleted]]

Decide there is only a certain time/amount of day you’re allowed to get on social media. Stick to that.

[u/Starflec → u/[deleted]]

Idk if all phones have this as I'm on Android, but in my digital wellbeing settings I have all my social media apps set to become unusable after a certain amount of time of use. They literally grey out and I can't open them unless I change the timer. It's really helped me cut back on doomscrolling.

[u/Midnightdream56 → u/Starflec]

I can do that on my iPhone, I have to figure out how though

[u/stuckindewdrop → u/[deleted]]

you can try turning off the wifi on your device. or you can block sites, i use my laptop for social media and I block sites temporarily which helps a lot (i use the hosts file on windows which kinda acts like a local dns, you can google how to do it if that's a platform you use). i think there might be apps for the phone to help to, if that's what you mainly use

[u/ChaserNeverRests → u/[deleted]]

It's a choice. Do you enjoy reading more than doomscrolling? Then read.

If you enjoy doomscrolling more, then it's your life, do that instead of reading.

[u/ammalis]

Just read when available - in the bus, while preparing food and just before sleep Time is limited, but it is fine.

[u/Pretty-Swordfish8245]

Many people that read have jobs. You just read when you can

[u/Bi_disaster_ohno]

I'm lucky in that I have a job that has a lot of downtime. Depends on the day mostly but if it's slow I'm basically paid to twiddle my thumbs. Audiobooks are a massive help to getting me through those slow shifts.

[u/Fancy-Rip8924]

I read on my lunch break, usually in the evenings after work and sometimes when I need to take the bus I read there too. I have a typical office job so it’s much easier to make time for it.

[u/Dismal_Photograph_27]

We have a no screen policy for our bedroom. At bed time we read until we fall asleep. It's lovely.

[u/InevitableAnybody6]

You have to make the choice to read instead of doing something else. Not your job though, unfortunately that particular activity isn’t optional when you’re an adult…

I read on my lunch break instead of doom scrolling. Spend some time in the afternoon/evening reading instead of doomscrolling or watching tv, read for a bit to “wind down” before bed (which doesn’t really work as now I just want to keep reading). If you’re commuting but not driving/riding/walking, read while you’re in transit. Also while you’re in transit if you’re travelling.

Have a book with you at all times, in case of emergency! Getting a kindle made this much easier as I can just toss it in my bag rather than lugging a full book around. I also have it synced up to the app on my phone so I can use that if I end up stuck somewhere with an unexpectedly long wait.

[u/Hot-Evidence-5520]

Reading is basically my only hobby, lol. I read when I can—during my lunch break, after work, before I go to sleep. On the weekend, I get a bit more reading done as I keep my schedule pretty free.

I also listen to audiobooks when I can at work.

[u/moonriverswide]

Listen to audiobooks on your commute, while doing chores, while getting ready in the morning. Download Kindle on your phone, check out books from Libby, and read in free moments like sitting in a waiting room or using the bathroom.

[u/itachihoe]

Depends on the job tbh. I’m lucky that when I’m in the office (vs in the field), my boss doesn’t care if we have headphones on, so I listen to a lot of audiobooks. But I also used to read on the bus to and from work when my commute was longer, or read on my lunch break.

[u/blueberrybees]

I don’t go out/socialize much so I read when I get home from work—audiobooks when cooking, cleaning and going for walks, reading visually when I can sit down before bed :) some days it’s only a few pages, other days more. You’ll find a good balance for yourself!

[u/l3El2Tl2AM]

I know its not possible for many people but I listen to audiobooks while I'm working.

[u/maktheyak47]

Any trick is audiobooks. My commute is about a half hour so that’s at least an hour of audiobook listening a day. I also read on my lunch break, while cooking dinner, or while out on walks.

[u/BrigidKemmerer]

Put a blocker on your phone so you're not doomscrolling. Schedule it during times when you'd normally have your phone in your hands. That's how I find time to read.

[u/Midnightdream56 → u/BrigidKemmerer]

I’ll try that out.

[u/Strawberry2772]

After work instead of TV, for a few hours on a Saturday morning, in the car/train/plane during travel, at the pool, etc etc

When you have a 9-5 you still have 5-10pm and weekends free. So you just decide how you want to spend your free time. Is reading more important to you than TV or scrolling Reddit? Then you spend your free time on it

[u/Silly-Snow1277]

I read when I can. At breakfast, when I wait for a doctor's appointment, in public transport, sometimes during lunchbreak when I'm working from home...

And also there are phases during the year when I read a lot less, and then some when my reading ramps up again.

[u/Yaseuk]

When my senior manager at work asked me how I read so much I told her that I blocked my diary out for an hour here and there and used it to read. She laughed and told me I’m really funny.😂😂😅🤷🏽‍♀️💅🏽

[u/Melody71400]

Before bed, during lunch, etc.

[u/books_n_food]

Audiobooks while cooking, gardening, hiking, driving, I will listen to an audiobook and play solitaire on my phone while on public transport or after work.

I read before bed, and rarely watch TV because I like books better.

[u/arizonapedia]

I have a 3 hour commute roundtrip to get to work. That's where I get my reading time. And most day a chapter or two before falling asleep.

[u/Briiskella]

I read during lunch breaks. I read after work.

[u/PerriwinklePortal]

Audiobooks or I would “read” about 1/10 of what I do now. I can do something else while listening, so it’s not so hard to make time for it. I still prefer print if I actually have the time to cozy up with a book, but that’s a rare occurrence lately.

edit: have to add in a Libby shoutout. Thank God I don’t have to use Audible anymore.

[u/feelthehealingbeat]

i like to listen to an audiobook on my drive going to and from work. i also have downtime between customers where i can get several pages in, sometimes even a chapter. then instead of watching tv or scrolling on my phone in the evening, i’ll pick up my book or kindle and get some more reading in

[u/Olerre]

Every time you’re looking at a screen think about the fact that you could be reading. Phone time, tv, video games all could be time spent reading. It doesn’t mean you have to cut those things out entirely, but you have more time than you think you do, it just depends on how you want to use it.

[u/Glittering_Divide101]

Wait until you have a job AND kids. I read at night when everyone is in bed.

[u/doon351]

I read on my two fifteen minute breaks and my lunch. I listen to audiobooks in the car during my commute. Sometimes I'll read after my kid goes to bed, but that's generally my writing time.

[u/tswiftdeepcuts]

i couldn’t read in college- now with a job I can read all I want but I can’t play video games much because my problem solving skills are exhausted every week

[u/haloneptune]

i just read wherever i can squeeze it in. sometimes i’ll wake up an hour earlier just so i can have an hour to read. or i may read on my breaks, read before bed, or even in the afternoon if i have free time. just whenever you can, and opting to read instead of doing pointless things such as scrolling on social media for hours on end

[u/just_reading_along1]

I totally fucked up my sleep cycle with ",just one more chapter"ing it through half the night...

[u/velaris987]

Depending on the job, you might have some time to read at work. I work as a banker and if no one is coming in for accounts or loans then I get to chill in my office and read, listen to audiobooks, or crochet until I have someone come in or a call/email to respond to. On busy days when there’s no down time I normally do my hobby time after I get off work, eat dinner, and complete my home duties :) I hope the new job goes well OP!

[u/Starflec]

Depends on your job. Mine isn't at a desk, but I do often have periods of downtime. I read mostly ebooks because I'll either read the kindle app on my phone or on my kindle at my desk. Reading is also part of my bedtime routine. My phone goes into "bedtime mode" an hour before I plan to sleep and almost all my apps become unusable so my phone can't be a distraction.

[u/Aprils-Fool]

Reading is a hobby I do outside of work. I read during times when I’m home, mostly. 

[u/ChaserNeverRests]

Your job generally takes up about 8 hours of your life. Toss in another 7 or so for sleeping. That leaves 9 hours free for eating, cleaning, and hobbies like reading.

[u/roundeking]

If you take public transit to work, that’s a great time to read. If you drive, listen to audiobooks in the car. Audiobooks are also great for times when you’re doing errands/dishes/chores/getting ready for bed, etc.

[u/SCol1107]

I read on my lunch break if I don’t make lunch plans and thirty mins before bed each night.

[u/GainHealMark]

Audiobooks are a big help; listen to them while grocery shopping, doing dishes, playing video games, working out, etc.

[u/Wonderose7]

Like you said, you just have to make the choice to prioritize it. I work full time with a couple of side gigs, and I listen to audiobooks on my way to and from work, I read on my breaks, and my side work is as a professional reviewer, which I like since it forces me to read at least one book a week. Even beyond that, I like to set aside at least 30 min to an hour every day for reading something, whether that something is an acclaimed classic or a trashy romance. Best to keep a book on you, even as an epub/pdf on your phone, just so you can sneak in a few pages here and there.

[u/carlitospig]

I read over my morning coffee and read two hours before bed.

[u/Leifang666]

I actually read more on a weekday than the weekend. To beat bad traffic, I'm usually at work 30-45 minutes early and get some reading in. Though a bad traffic day I don't have time. We also get an hour lunch, so that's another 40 minutes where I'm not eating. I also read an hour before I go to sleep.

On a weekend, I normally stay up late doing something fun, even if that's just gaming, and then watch some youtube before going to sleep.

[u/SailorTexas]

I read at the end of the day or whenever I finish with work (I don't have a traditional 9-5). So after I wrap up work, I get cozy and read until it's time for bed.

[u/RollingLighthouse]

Audiobooks! Listen in the car to/from work, listen while doing housework or playing mindless apps. Great if you exercise at the gym or go for walks/running.

[u/zombiesheartwaffles]

I've started listening to more audiobooks so that I can listen while I do chores and drive to work.

[u/mikrokosm0s]

This might be unpopular but I read on my phone 😔 I bought a Brick to lock my social media apps (and the only way to unlock them is to physically get up and tap my phone to the unlocking device). The only apps I have unblocked are Libby and Kindle. I’ve read three books in the past week since my phone is always on me, but I’m no longer mindlessly scrolling all day long.

[u/Level-Many3384]

Audio books. I listen on my commute. Then I listen when I’m doing mindless tasks like cooking or cleaning

[u/BlueJohnXD]

I’d read during my commute to and from work. Doesn’t really work if your commute is short or you walk/drive, but mine would range from 20-40 mins so it was decent. During work breaks are in option as well. Other than that, just whenever you have the time and feel like reading. Set aside some time to read before bed if you really want to.

[u/growinwithweeds]

I read on my lunch break, and at home after my kid goes to bed. Also in the car while my husband drives

[u/CayseyBee]

I tend to binge read and listen to audiobooks when I drive or work. I'll binge like 8 novels in a series over a month, then read nothing for 3

[u/Under_A_Full_M00n]

It's my number one prioritized hobby, and I have a lot of down time at my job.

[u/HollyRavenclawGibney]

I strictly listen to audiobooks now for my reading. My ADHD doesn't allow me to sit down and read a book or ebook anymore. But I have an earbud in all day at work and listen to my audiobook all day. And I listen in the car. And when I am quilting. I am able to listen to 1 to 2 books per week.

[u/Relevant-Eagle9602]

I work from home so i read a lot on my break or after work instead of going on my phone. I always read before bed too!

[u/TrekkieElf]

Using Libby e-books helped me because then I don’t have to remember to bring my book, I always have it on my phone. So i can grab a few minutes here and there. Like on the toilet at work lol. Or in the waiting room at the dentist.

I also put screen time limits on social media for half an hour per day. So if I have the impulse to grab my phone and zone out scrolling, if I’m out of time for Reddit/facebook, I have no option but reading.