How to Build a Solid Reading Habit from Scratch 0 to 1
Transform from a Non-Reader to a Book Lover with These Simple Steps
I’ve found that many of us have had our brains fried by doom scrolling.
It has decreased my focus, shortened my attention span, and left me feeling lazy and procrastinating easily. I even struggle with dopamine depletion because of it.
To counter this, I tried replacing doom scrolling with reading.
But forcing myself to read and blocking my scrolling apps only made me hate reading even more. Approaching reading with force was not the answer.
One of the best ways to fix this issue is through reading, but it needs to be done in a fun and enjoyable way.
Reading can fill the emptiness by not scrolling and can become a productive day to win. So, I decided to use different methods and ways to build my solid reading habits.
From 0 to 1, you can build a reading habit without struggling every day.
Because reading is supposed to be enjoyable, not hard.
I hope you’re not feeling the same way where I end up wasting my time forcing myself to read.
If you want to implement what you learn in this article or go deeper to build your reading habit, I’ve made a comprehensive guide full of implementation in The Habit of Reading.
It’s free.
So, here is a step-by-step guide to build your reading habit without force, going from someone who doesn’t read at all to someone who loves it.
And yes, you can still doom scrolling while gradually building your reading habit.
1. Find Books You Truly Love
The first step to building a reading habit is to find books that genuinely interest you.
If you’re not excited about what you’re reading, it’s easy to lose motivation and quit.
Don’t worry about what you “should” be reading. Focus on what you enjoy. Whether it’s fantasy novels, self-help, or biographies, choose books that made you curious.
Think about your hobbies, interests, or topics you want to learn more about. Ask friends for recommendations or look for book lists in genres that interest you. You can even find books that are viral right now.
Your goal is to find something that makes you want to open it right away.
2. Skim and Explore to Find the Right Fit
Not every book is going to be the perfect match, and that’s okay.
Before committing to a book, spend a few minutes skimming through it. Read the table of contents, the introduction, and a few random pages. I sometimes read the first 20 pages to decide whether I want to finish the book or not.
This will help me know what the author’s style is and whether the book resonates with me or not.
If it doesn’t capture your interest, don’t force yourself to read it. Put it aside and find something that does. The more you enjoy what you’re reading, the easier it will be to build your habit.
Go to a bookstore or browse online previews.
Skim through a few books and see which one grabs your attention. Remember, it’s okay to put a book down if it doesn’t suit you.
Reading should be enjoyable, not a chore.
3. Start small and simple.
One of the biggest mistakes people make when trying to build a reading habit is starting too big.
They set goals like reading for an hour every day, which made them overwhelmed. Instead, start with small, manageable goals that fit easily into your routine. Even reading for just one sentence a day can make a difference.
The key is consistency, not quantity.
Once you’ve established a habit of reading daily, you can gradually increase the time you spend. The more you win the day, the more you will achieve success.
Grab your book. Read for one sentence. Set it aside if you want to. But if you want to still continue, go ahead.
Don’t worry about how much you’re reading.
Just focus on making it a daily habit.
4. Level up your reading habits.
As you get comfortable with reading a little each day, start gradually increasing your reading time.
Add an extra five minutes to your reading sessions or try to finish one paragraph. The idea is to level up your habit in small, manageable increments. This process not only builds your reading stamina but also makes reading a solid part of your daily routine.
Because you are getting used to it and win daily, you’ll find yourself reaching for a book more instead of your phone.
And you’ll look forward to your next reading sessions.
Once you’ve mastered reading for one sentence daily, try extending it to one paragraph or one page. Push yourself a little more each week, but don’t overdo it.
The goal is steady progress, not burnout.
5. Build Identity as a Reader (The Ultimate)
The final step in building a solid reading habit is to see yourself as a reader.
When you identify as a reader, you’re more likely to prioritize reading.
It becomes your lifestyle.
Imagine this: you are someone who loves to read, and whenever you go, you grab a book and read it. While in a coffee shop or waiting for someone, it’s much more enjoyable to read. Because you are a reader.
To strengthen your reader’s identity, you can talk about the books you’re reading with friends.
Join a book club or share your thoughts on social media. Surround yourself with a community of readers, and you’ll be inspired to keep going.
The more you hammer your identity as a reader, the more reading becomes a natural part of who you are.
Share it!
Start telling people about your reading goals.
Follow book-related accounts on social media. Share your favorite quotes or insights from the books you read.
If you have struggled with sharing reading goals or finding community, you can join my chat community on Substack for free. I look forward to your progress!
The more you talk about it, the more real it becomes.
We are a reader
Building a reading habit from scratch doesn’t happen overnight.
But with patience and persistence, you can transform yourself into a reader or someone who loves to read. Remember, it’s not about how fast you read or how many books you finish. It’s about planting love for reading and making it a fulfilling part of your life.
Start with books you love, take it one step at a time, and before you know it, you’ll be reading more than you ever thought possible.
Happy reading!
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Essential Resources for Your Journey 📚
The Mastery of Reading (Paid) | Download here
A Step-by-step Guide to Mastering Your Reading Habit from 0 to 10030-day Simple Habit Tracker (Free) | Download Here
Track Your Daily Habits with Customizable MonthsLife-changing Blueprint (Free) | Download Here
How to Change Your Life with Implementation GuideMy Booknotes (Free) | Download here
Understand What You Read with Implementation Guide