How to Add Reading to Your Daily Routine
Poetry for Busy People
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Setting reading routines:
✨ Set a Timer
✨ Make it Fun
✨ Accountability PartnerDiscovering what to read:
✨ Anthologies
✨ Open Mics
✨ Take our Quiz
The To Be Read pile beside my bed is stacked as high as my nightstand! It is so tall and sturdy, I occasionally rest my coffee cup on it when I’m reading, meaning it has become furniture! If you’re like me, obsessed with books (poetry or otherwise), and count reading as one of your core hobbies, you might still struggle with how to consume every book on your list. I know that for each stack of books in my apartment 10 more books are waiting in a digital shopping cart! And even with all my enthusiasm for the pursuit, I still burn out on reading sometimes. So here are some of the habits I’ve honed over the years to help me incorporate reading into my busy routine. Even one small change to your routine can unlock your resistance, if you’re in a slump, or energize your existing habit.
Here are my 7 simple tips for adding reading to your daily routine:
1) Decide on a regular reading time
Choose a time of day when you can consistently devote 30 minutes to reading. The time could be in the morning before work or school, during your lunch break, or before bed. Make it a habit to read during this time every day. Keep it consistent for one week.
Hint: Does one week of reading improve your writing routine? If you’re reading the inspiring poetry books they will propel you onto the page with a fiery passion like nothing else.
2) Set a timer
Even if you only have 15 minutes. If you can sit down and focus on a poetry collection for 15 minutes every day, you’ll be surprised at how far you get. Plus, the timer lets you off the hook. If you’re not enjoying the book, or just can’t get into it, put it away when the timer goes off! Know that you tried and feel accomplished for the attempt. But! If you’re into it, enjoying the poems, falling into the language, the emotional content—keep going! You’ve read for 15 minutes. Now try for 15 more.
3) Make reading part of your routine
Incorporate reading into your daily routine. For example, if you take public transportation to work or school, use that time to read. Or, if you enjoy reading before bed, make it part of your nightly habit. By identifying a natural place in your schedule when you can weave in some time with a book you'll start to make a dent in that TBR stack within weeks.
4) Eliminate distractions
Find a quiet space where you can focus on reading without distractions. Turn off your phone, computer, and other devices that might interrupt your reading time. I know this sounds obvious, but it doesn’t hurt to have the reminder. Our ears are tuned to hear the pings and ring-a-lings our phones make. My phone has a different notification sound for emails, texts, IG messenger, and calendar updates. I swear I’m trained like a dog to reach for my phone when I hear emails arrive! Put the tiny electronic overlord on silent and read your book, ma’am!
5) Make it fun
Choose books that you enjoy and look forward to reading. This will make it easier to motivate yourself to read every day. And trust your instincts. Babe, if you’re reading a poetry book and hating every minute of it please know: it’s NOT you. You are not the problem. Put it down and move on. By the way, reading a romance novel counts. So does an essay collection. There is no wrong way to do this.
Bonus: I was recently asked this question on DIYMFA Radio “Am I reading wrong?” Hell no you are not! Listen to the full episode here. They decided to title the episode “Therapy for Poets” and honestly, HEARTS.
6) Set goals
Set a goal to read for 15 - 30 minutes every day, or set a goal to read one poetry book a week, or 30 poetry books a year. Pick a goal that feels attainable and track your progress. Take note of times it was hard to finish a book, or when you had to abandon one collection for another. This way you can refine your reading process to best benefit you.
Template Time: Because this is who I am, I created a Reading Tracker in Notion. As a writer in the real world, you have to stay focused, and motivated, and be your own editor, mentor, and cheerleader. That’s why I love Notion. It’s my go-to productivity and organization app, and through it we run The Poetry Lab Team.
If you listen to the DIYMFA Radio episode mentioned above⬆️ I also share my tips for creating an Annotation Doc to help maximize the learning potential and inspiration from every poetry book you read!
7) Get an accountability partner
Find a friend or family member who also enjoys reading and commit to reading for 30 minutes every day together. You can discuss the books you're reading and hold each other accountable for sticking to your reading goals. We took this idea to heart at The Poetry Lab and created a monthly book club series specifically so we could read the same books and talk about them! It’s called the BookBash (because we like to party!) and anyone can join: Learn all about the project and sign up here.
So we’ve talked about how to read, but if what to read is your question, don’t worry poet, I got you covered!
Years ago, Bennington College MFA program had this great marketing copy. It said:
“Read 100 Books. Write One.”
And on their website, you could access a list of 100 poetry books that professors at the school often assigned. I remember downloading the list and pouring over it. Creating lists and sub-lists of my own. Congratulating myself whenever the list offered up a book I had already read! Despite the occasional triumph, however, the list left me feeling daunted.
If you’re like me: eager to read all the books, but in desperate need of guidance, here are some ideas to help you begin to stack up that TBR pile:
1) Try an anthology
Anthologies are a great way to get a taste of a variety of different poets and styles in just one book. Look for anthologies that focus on diverse voices, identities, or forms. This can be a great way to discover new poets and figure out what kinds of poetry resonate with you. I especially love prose poetry anthologies or books that focus on one style of writing.
Here are some anthologies we love:
2) Follow poets on social media
Social media is a great way to stay up-to-date with what's happening in the poetry world. Follow poets you admire on Twitter, Instagram, or other platforms to see what they're reading, writing, and sharing. I once discovered one of my all-time favorite prose poets (Melissa Kwasny) through a random post adoring her by Keetje Kuipers on Facebook.
Remember: Poetry Twitter is a thing! Check out the list of who we follow to discover poets who are actively tweeting🐤
3) Attend readings and events
Attending poetry readings and events in your local community or online can be a great way to connect with other poets and discover new voices. Buy books at the end of the show, or off the “local authors” shelf and read those!
Check out our recent article on entering the open mic atmosphere! 👆
4) Read widely…
…but don't feel like you have to read all the things. It's important to expose yourself to a variety of poets and styles, but don't feel like you have to read every book out there. Focus on the poets and collections that resonate with you, and don't be afraid to put down a book that's not working for you.
Your new mantra: Read what you love, not what you were told to love!
5) Write, write, write
Besides reading, the best way to improve your poetry is to write it! If you feel overwhelmed by the expanse of the poetry world, remember your “why”—the reason you started reading poetry—you love writing it.
The more you write, the more you'll develop your voice, sharpen your language skills, and enliven your magical thinking, this is what will ultimately set your poetry apart. Reading and writing will allow you to put your observations about poets’ craft, forms, and techniques into action.
6) Take our quiz
The Blind Date with a Book #obsessed quiz will help you discover your next poetry obsession. Answer 10 simple questions and we’ll recommend not just the perfect poetry book, but the specific poet whose work is going to light up your reading and writing adventure. Every list and round-up is subject to opinion, and we’re no different—but these poets make us feel invited into the world of poetry. They inspire us and ignite our imaginations.
Final Thoughts
Remember to take care of yourself. And I don’t mean wear a sheet mask occasionally and stay hydrated (although do those things too), I mean on the most basic, fundamental level: you need caring for. Please don’t neglect yourself for the sake of your book-reading goals. The TBR stack will always be there waiting for you when you're ready.
Know that you have plenty of time to read the poems that are meant to find you. You do not need to “catch up.” I know it feels that way sometimes, especially when you’re first getting started. But you’re right where you need to be, poet. The advice listed here is about building a framework for following your passion to the fullest. It isn’t a race and you won’t be left behind.
This article was posted on May 9, 2023. Written by:
