Yourstrulyme

Books were my best friends when I was a child.

I still remember how I’d visit a small library near my house every week. We could borrow three books for just 10 rupees each. Life felt simple, fun, and easy in those days. I loved reading Enid Blyton’s books—The Secret Seven, Famous Five, and The Caravan Family were some of my favorite series. My friend and I would challenge ourselves to finish a certain number of books, and this healthy competition kept me reading regularly.

As the years went by, digital devices slowly took over. I’m not saying technology is to blame entirely, but it definitely played a big role in pulling me away from reading. With so many quick entertainment options just a tap away, the habit of sitting with a book started to fade.

Recently, while thinking about some of the good habits I once had, I realized that reading had quietly slipped out of my life—and I missed it. I missed imagining scenes in my mind, bringing characters to life, and getting lost in a story like it was a movie playing in my head. But getting back to reading wasn’t as easy as I thought. So here’s what I’ve been doing to slowly rebuild the habit. These small steps have helped me stay consistent and interested over the past couple of months:

Pick books that truly interest you

Start with topics you naturally enjoy. For me, that’s books on self-improvement, habit building, health, marketing, advertising, branding, leadership, and well-being. Choosing books on subjects I care about made it easier to finish them. On the other hand, books on finance, math, or art often require more focus, and I don’t always follow them in one sitting. I feel that picking books that are easy and enjoyable is a great way to get back into the habit.

Simple writing really helps

Books written in easy-to-understand language, with relatable examples and shorter lengths, have always helped me stay on track. Like I said earlier, it’s about keeping the effort low in the beginning so that the process becomes enjoyable again. Long books—especially ones with over 500 pages—feel overwhelming. I find that smaller books, especially those with short chapters, help build a daily reading rhythm.

Don’t stress about finishing every book

I used to feel guilty if I couldn’t finish a book on time. Sometimes, I’d pick something that didn’t click with me, or the content felt too heavy. But now, I’ve learned to let that go. It’s okay not to finish a book—as long as I’m picking one up and giving it a try, I’m making progress.

Create a reason to stay committed

I found my own way to stay committed. I signed up for a membership at a nearby library and started borrowing books again. Now, with return dates in place, I have a reason to give each book a fair chance. If I enjoy it, I finish it. If not, I move on to something else. But the important thing is—I’m trying and staying on track.

Join a reading group or book club

I haven’t personally joined any reading groups yet, but I know they can be really helpful. If you enjoy being part of a team or need a little motivation, book clubs might be a great place to start. They offer space to share thoughts, get recommendations, and take part in reading challenges that can keep you inspired.

Right now, I’m in a place where I can pick a book, give it a go, and stay in the cycle. I still have a long way to go before I can call myself a regular reader again—but I feel like this is a great start. Reading is helping me in more ways than I expected, and I’m looking forward to sharing my favorite books and how this habit is growing in future blogs.