How to read more consistently, that benefits your mental health

How many times did it ever happen to you to start reading a book, that you can not see to finish, and right away feel guilty that after spending your money on it, no matter how much you force yourself into it, you can pass over the first 3 chapters. I also recently made a personal vow not to buy any more books until I will finish all the unloved ones I already posses. Then I happen to see this very inspirational You Tube video by Ali Abdaal "How to read 1000 Books a Year", which somehow eased my position on the topic and I could relate on a lot of the points he has made during the video. Main point that sticked to me above all the rest is that, we are used through school and education that even if we do not like something we should finish it, and therefore unconsciously the guilt trip starts. But we should not endure something just to appear smart or invincible to other people's eyes, but focus on actually what we are reading and feel the inspiration that the writer would like to transmit us in the first place: make it a tool, vs. feeling trapped by it.

• Habits

Of course developing a consistent reading habit starts with some pre-game to be able to succeed in the task of reading more: setting a routine, create a comfortable environment and select the topic of your books must be taken into account. Start to schedule this time into your routine, with a specific duration for which you will like to challenge yourself. Once you will get into the beauty of reading there will be no need of this step as you will be naturally drown to the book. Minimize distractions around you, so put your phone away. I like to listen to music while reading, but only some calming and relaxing music, like Radiohead or some Jazz tunes. Maybe you would just need peace.

• Choice

The main issue would be then: how do I know if a book is actually good and worth reading? Maybe what I like to read my friend does not like and vice versa. Maybe that book everybody is talking about is just super hyped and just a marketing product which you do not relate to. On Shortform for example we can find summaries of popular non fiction books, condense in some key points, to one page only, so next time you hear of a recommendation you can check for your self if is actually matching your expectations. If you prefer a video/audio version of the same idea you can of course visit You Tube, and most of them are also found there. Or if you prefer to get recommendations after the line of what you just finished because you really enjoyed it so much, you might find Good Reads very useful.

• Feeling

Our time is precious, and we should decide wisely how spend our energies. Maybe you like the book but a specific paragraph or chapter is not really as interesting as the rest, so just skip it. This might not apply for a fiction book, but for a non fiction one you might be able to continue without many problems in understanding the next concept. Maybe you will decide to go back to that part on another day with a different mindset or mood, maybe you will completely skip it. It is fine. Just pick up what you need from that message and you will still feel something different and grow, which is ultimately why we are reading. We want to relax, not feel judge.There is so much choice out there that is impossible to go deep on every single one of the books out there. Some are worth reading again and again.

The goal should not be making a record into how many books we can read more than our friend, colleague or family member, but how many they have a big impact on us and can improve our mental health, lifestyle and general well being.