A question I get asked a lot is "How do you find time to read so much?" The truth is I make time. Making time for myself is important. Life is stressful and loosing myself in a good book helps me unwind and relax. I love reading, it keeps me sane. I have three kids and a household to look after so making time for myself can be tricky and is not always possible - During the six weeks holidays I didn't have a lot of time to read. I often pick my books up and two pages in, I'll put it down because the kids need me or I'll be distracted with every day life and I don't pick the book up again for a few days (or sometimes - weeks).Take this past weekend for example. I was poorly with some kind of cold/flu/throat thing and I haven't read at all since Friday morning. I just haven't had it in me to focus on a book. I'll read again though, when I'm fully better and can focus better. I also suffer with anxiety and sometimes (not all the time though) I find reading can really help me relax.

Here are some of the things I do which allow me time to read.

1. I read a lot on the bus. I don't drive and I live in the middle of nowhere. At least once a week I catch the bus to a bigger town, with a better supermarket (I can't afford my local 'supermarket' prices) which is a forty minute bus ride. I'm a fairly fast reader and I get a lot of reading done on the bus! I usually read my kindle on the bus. The kids are usually at school, so I have a Good opportunity to read. I'm gonna take it!
2. I stay up way too late. And then regret it the next day when my alarm goes off at 6am. This is probably the time I read most if I'm honest. Still though, if it means I can read, it's worth it. I think. I love reading when the house is quiet and peaceful. Sometimes I find it hard to sleep (especially when it's too hot), I'll pick up my book and read, it makes me sleepy eventually.
3. I take breaks during the day. After I've done most of the housework and I sit down for lunch, I'll read for twenty minutes before cracking on with more chores. It has been known where I've been so engrossed in the book I'm reading, I have got a bit carried away and not realised the time. Then I find myself rushing to get the chores done!
4. Reading in the bath!! Yup, I read while I'm in the bath. I always fear I'll drop my kindle in the bath so I pop it inside a zip lock bag. It can be tricky "turning" (swiping) the page but it works! Kind of. I never can have a bath in peace, I now wait until all the kids are well into the land of nod before taking a bath otherwise I get 93258797 interruptions and if you have children, you know exactly what I'm talking about, haha. I usually end up staying in the bath way too long and therefore - refer back to number 2 above.
5. Short stories - I read a fair few shorter stories and books that are easier to read because I know I won't always have time to finish a long novel. But. I feel like I need to be reading something and short stories are perfect for that reason. There's been times where it's taken me a month or longer to read a book because it's 500+ pages long and I just haven't had the time to read any more than 2 or 3 pages at a time. Same goes for shorter books... I don't always have a chance to read. Life is stressful and I get distracted. I often remind myself to make time to read. Even if it's just a few pages at a time.   
6. Appointments. When I have an appointment or the kids have an appointment, I take my book or kindle with me. Not only to read on the bus (see #1) but to read whilst we're the waiting room. I hate waiting but if I've got my book, I don't mind, I'll happily sit there and read. Mind, I don't always get the chance because the kids can be noisy and complain about being bored. My daughter (she's just turned 9 years old) also does the same. She's a little book worm, too! My boys use to take a book with them but now they're older, they prefer fiddle with there phone or listening to music (with earphones! On LOW!) I'd much prefer them to read of course but you know... Teenage boys!! Anyway, waffling now... Moving on... 
7. The park. If I take the kids to the park, quite often I'll pick up my kindle or book while the kids play. There's usually a friend or two the kids know at the park and they're happy to play while I read. Everyone is a winner. 
8. I don't watch much T.V. I do watch Netflix occasionally but to be honest, I'd rather read. I have a whole list of movies and T.V shows I'd like to watch on Netflix but haven't got the time to do that AND read. I prefer reading. Although I do want to start watching 'Once Upon A Time' and I kind of miss Pretty Little Liars. So reading may have to take a back a seat sometimes. I'll add this in here too... If I'm honest, sometimes reading takes over and I don't blog as much. I will schedule a weeks or so worth of posts just so I have more time to read!
9.  I'm a fairly fast paced reader. Therefore I can read a fair bit in a short amount of time. Mind you, it does depend on the book I'm reading. Sometimes I find myself re-reading the same paragraph twice if it's a complicated story. Sometimes my brain just will not absorb it and I find if I'm not really focusing, it's time to put the book down and have a bit of a break from reading. 
10.  LET IT GO - Every day life and obviously I'm a mum of three - I'm always busy, there's always, always something to do, there's always something that needs folding or a dish to wash, a toy to pick up (the list is endless, I know you know what I'm saying. Even if you don't have children, life is busy, right?) but sometimes I just have to let it go and have a little time for myself, even if it's just fifteen minutes, fifteen minutes or even ten minutes to read  here and there soon adds up! And that fifteen minutes truly helps me, I know it sounds daft but after fifteen minutes of reading or -what I call - gathering myself together (lol!) I feel like I can get back to life again, haha. And that dish is still there, that towel that needs folding? It's not going anywhere. It doesn't hurt to take a few minutes out. As long as the kids are happy of course. Yes, I do find it hard to do this one sometimes but when I'm tired or stressed, feeling anxious or just feel like I need a little break, I make myself take that fifteen minutes (Sometimes I don't pick up a book, sometimes I'll just take a few minutes to gather myself and my own thoughts - this is important for everyone. Everyone needs time out. Whether it's reading or not, it truly will help you unwind, I promise! Just take a few minutes out for YOURSELF. Please, just try it)
11. Audio books - I don't know if I should include this one in my 'list' because I haven't tried this one personally but I really like the idea. I've got friends who don't have chance to read much so they listen to the book instead. It's not the same as reading, it still counts though! I am going to give audio books a try when I start working out/jogging again.

So there you have it. Those are the things I do to make time for myself. To read. Like I say it isn't always possible and I do sometimes find myself in a bit of a reading slump or not in the mood to read. I think short stories are really my holy grail this year (any book under 300 pages, I class a short story. Remember, I am a fast reader!).

Do you have any tips to add to this list? What helps you personally relax and unwind? Let me know in the comments, I'm really interested to hear what helps you. 


Sarah xXx