Let’s be honest — the world is loud, schedules are mad, and sometimes the only thing you want to do after a long day is lie down like fried plantain and just scroll through your phone. We get it. Life is busy! Whether you’re a mom chasing kids around, a 9–5er with back-to-back meetings, a student knee-deep in exams, or a creative who’s juggling multiple gigs, reading can feel like one more task to tick off the never-ending list.
But if you’re part of the Xandraly Reading Community, you already know — we don’t do excuses here. We do books, baby!
Here’s how to sneak reading into your life no matter how tight things get:
1. Audiobooks Are Your Best Friend
If you can’t sit down to flip a page, plug in your earphones and listen. While driving, cooking, cleaning, breastfeeding, or even pretending to focus in that Zoom meeting — audiobooks will help you consume stories and knowledge hands-free. Apps like Audible or Scribd are game-changers.
2. 5 Pages a Day Strategy
You don’t have to read a whole chapter in one sitting. Just 5 pages a day. That’s it. It adds up faster than you think. We tried this in our 30-Day Reading Challenge and people who swore they were too busy finished multiple books.
3. Morning Pages, Not Just for Journaling
Instead of scrolling IG first thing in the morning (yes, we see you ), open a book. Read 2 pages. Let your brain wake up with words, not wahala.
4. Make Books Your Bathroom Buddy
Don’t laugh. If you spend 10 minutes on the toilet scrolling TikTok, you can spend it reading a book instead. Keep a short book or a devotional in there. No judgment.
5. Carry a Book Everywhere Like a Yoruba Auntie Carries Hand Fan.
Always keep one in your bag. You never know when you’ll be stuck in traffic or waiting for someone who’s “just 5 minutes away.” That’s your cue to read instead of scrolling aimlessly.
6. Set a Reading Alarm
Set a 10-minute timer on your phone, especially during lunch breaks or before bed. Treat it like self-care, not a chore. You deserve those moments of escape and enlightenment.
7. Lazy Readers Anonymous? Try Novellas or Short Stories.
If long books intimidate you, go short. Novellas, poetry, flash fiction — they still count and can be just as powerful. Ease into reading, don’t pressure yourself.
8. Join a Community (Hint Hint ): You can join here
Reading with others gives you accountability and gist! Our Reading Challenge had people reading more just because someone would ask, “Have you read today?” Never underestimate the power of community motivation.
9. Read What You Love (Not What’s Trending)
Stop forcing yourself to read what everyone else is reading. If you love romance, read romance. If you love thrillers or devotionals, do that. Passion fuels consistency.
Bottom Line? There’s Always Time — If You Make It.
No matter how hectic your life is, you can read more. You just need to make it easier, lighter, and more enjoyable for you.
Reading isn’t a punishment. It’s a gift. It’s therapy, travel, education, and laughter all wrapped in pages. So, let’s drop the “I’m too busy” anthem and pick up a book.
There’s a new challenge coming soon and trust me, you don’t want to miss the next round of premium gist and page-flipping vibes.
Until then, stay reading-ready. Keep a book at bay, and let’s keep growing — one page at a time.
From Xandraly, Read, Reflect, Repeat!
