a Look at a Book

I’ve been thinking a good deal lately about life transitions and how it’s affected my reading habits. 

With every major life transition I’ve experienced, it always takes more time than I’d prefer or predict to adjust to the basics. 

For instance, even just moving across town after college meant that I had to figure out where the closest grocery stores were and the best route to get there. My regular running routes had to change, since I wasn’t about to drive to where I used to run. I had to settle into life with two roommates and we had to figure out who was cooking how often and how we’d keep house together. 

When I moved to Ecuador, I had to figure out all of those basics, but times 100, because I barely even knew what grocery stores were named, let alone where they were or how to get there. I also adjusted to walking most places and learned how to take a taxi or the bus since I didn’t have a car down there. Oh, and doing all of that in a second language, of course.

When I moved to the South, it started all over again . . . though this time, I knew what most of the grocery stores were called, and I had a car again. I still had to adjust to a new housing situation, find routes to work, decide on a church, etc. etc.

Now, by the time March 2024 rolls around, I will have undergone several major changes within a period of less than twelve months:

• Getting married
• Moving into my husband’s condo
• Changing job positions
• Having a baby/becoming a parent

Holy smokes.

When I pause and let those changes sink in, it’s no wonder that my reading hasn’t been on fire lately.

In fact, for whatever reason, during the first trimester, my motivation for reading seemed to evaporate into thin air. I heard from a reader-friend that it happened to her too, which made me feel so much better, because I felt a little crazy and unlike myself.

When people tell you that pregnancy changes basically everything in your body, they are NOT kidding! To keep my mind off the queasiness, I wound up playing on my phone for hours and hours after work, and that has never been my go-to activity! It felt so strange – I felt so strange. 

Given the fact that changes in location or responsibility mean habits and routines shift, it’s no wonder that my reading has yet to fall into place. Remember how I said a few paragraphs up that it takes more time than I prefer or predict? My reading (or lack thereof) is a case in point. 

It feels strange to admit this decrease in reading and motivation to read on my blog which is so dedicated to reading and teaching others to read . . . yet I would be willing to bet that I am not the only one!

I know for a fact that readers get into ruts and reading feels blah to them until they reset. I think that major life change simply requires more adjustment and resetting. It feels appropriate to let you, my readers, in on this part of my reading life too.

Since I’m about three months out from one of the biggest changes in my life (having a baby), and I have only six months in my rearview mirror from one of the other biggest changes in my life (getting married), I am doing my best to find some solid footing in routines before they are upended yet again. I hear that’s good practice for what being a mom is like: just when you’ve settled into a routine, the child(ren) grows and the routines have to shift again and yet again. 

As I’ve brainstormed what would be reasonable to expect of myself, I’ve come up with a few ideas. Talking to other new moms has helped inspire some of these ideas, as well as reflecting on what’s been working (or not) for me lately.

One thing that hasn’t been working for me is not having books cued up and ready to read. I’ve stalled out on finding great reads. The one blog I’ve depended on a lot for suggestions in the past few years has veered away from offering suggestions that match my reading preferences. However, as I’ve said before, having resources and friends that you know will help you find great books, and taking the time to look into the titles they mention, are the first steps toward building a reading habit. This is a routine I need to adjust in this new season. 

Another thing that hasn’t been working as well is – gasp! – checking out paper books from the library. I can hardly believe it’s true, but maybe that’s another way living in Ecuador changed me. I came to depend on the digital library since I had no access to a brick-and-mortar library. My e-reader and I were best friends. The Libby app was part of our friend group too, especially since that also gave me access to audiobooks. In my new neighborhood, going to the library is no longer as convenient, so checking out and returning books takes extra effort.

I’ve also realized that while adjusting to married life, I haven’t found a consistent time for reading to happen. Whereas I used to always read in bed before falling asleep, that hasn’t always happened since getting married. It does sometimes, but it’s not a guaranteed time. So I need to find out another regular time, even if it’s only a couple times a week (for now).

What have new moms recommended to me? Reading while breastfeeding and using audiobooks and e-books. Well, whaddya know? Looks like the Libby app and I are about to strengthen our friendship.

Having considered all of these aspects of my current phase in life, here are a few plans I have for adding more reading back into my life.

I think I’m saying this both to help myself verbalize it so it will happen and also in case these help you too. Feel free to take them and use or adapt as needed!