66 Days to Rekindle Your Reading Love

Reading used to be second nature for the author: on planes, in parks, at cafés. But over time — distraction, phones, the pandemic — that habit slipped away. Now she tries a 66-day challenge to bring it back. Here’s how her journey unfolded, and what it teaches us. First step: forgive yourself • Don’t shame yourself for losing the habit — life, stress, screens all play a part. • Instead of treating reading like a task, see it as nourishment for your mind and spirit. Week 1: It hurts to begin • She picks a heavy book and settles in, but after just ten pages her brain feels tired, twitchy, distracted. • That’s normal — our mental “reading muscle” needs exercise again. Week 2 & 3: Bring in audiobooks • She switches to audiobooks. Listening while walking, shopping, even before sleep. • The satisfaction of following a story helps rebuild momentum. Week 4: Carry a book everywhere • She grabs a light novel, slips it in her bag, and resists the pull of her phone. • Idle moments become reading moments. Week 5: Reading becomes quieter joy • The pull of social media fades. She reads longer. • But she resists turning reading into “another goal” or “achievement.” It must feel like pleasure again. Week 6: Life intrudes, but the habit holds some ground • She faces loss, deadlines, emotional strain — but still, she finds tiny moments to steal a page or two. • Reading becomes something she returns to, even amid chaos. Week 7 & 8: No guilt, just flow • She drops productivity expectations. Reading becomes kind of sweet — not forced. • She juggles multiple books, follows mood, lets stories follow her. Week 9 & final push: It’s coming back • Reading starts to feel natural again. The friction lessens. • The relationship with books shifts — less “I should” and more “I want to.” This experiment shows that love for reading can fade — but also that it can return. What helps: • Small steps matter. Don’t demand big chunks at first. • Use apps, audiobooks, light reads. • Be kind to yourself. • Don’t make reading another “to do.” • Consistency over intensity.