How I Stay Focused to Finish a Book in 2020

When the winter seems like it won’t end I turn to books to keep me going and out of the funk cold weather can put me through. I love curling up on the couch, or in my bed. The kittens are usually there purring away enjoying the time spent together. I love to bask in the aura of real tangible pages, the smell of ink and the sound and weight of a book in my hands. Those are things I miss when I’m at my desk or on my phone for work. I miss that eternal connection of hands, and eyes to books. Something that the glow of a phone cannot replace.

I always want to read more. The stacks upon stacks of books in my room, closet, and desk reflect that. Yet, instead of seeing it as a daunting task. I relish the idea that I get to learn something new, or read about a new place. Reading puts me in a reverie that holds my attention.

Reading can be a place of escape or release for people, myself included, and it shouldn’t be a negative thing. Sometimes these books can help you get your mind back on track in a creative way.

My phone can get in the way of my reading so I’ve started leaving my phone on silent and in another room while I read.

I usually try to read a book a month sometimes two but it all depends on the time I take to sit down and keep myself focused. It can be all too easy to get distracted and forget about the book you're reading. So I like to challenge myself as I read. Picking goals as I go to keep myself motivated to keep reading. Goals like a page count to reach, a chapter to end on or a bookmark to reach. This little game trains me to keep going even when its a struggle to keep with a book. It helps to keep the momentum going! Paired with reading I’ve started listening to audiobooks alongside my books which I find helps me stay focused and immersed for longer.

I've made an intention to make time for reading. Since it's important to me. I've made a point to create a consistent reading schedule. This consistency has helped me feel interconnected with my thoughts and my feelings.

When having a consistent reading schedule set, I can see how far I’m getting. While taking the time to read and have fun with my books. Lately, I’ve been waking at 6 am to tackle a few chapters before the sunrises and everyone bustles out the door for work. It’s been therapeutic for me to immerse myself in something different and engaging that is far from the hum of technology.

For February, I am currently tackling J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic The Fellowship of the Ring. It has been such an engaging read alongside my audiobook. That the characters come to life right before my eyes. I have been falling deeper in love with Tolkien’s narrative voice, word choice, and character development. It’s engaging to read about a place that is so thoughtfully fleshed out it almost seems real. This is why people love these books and characters so much.

Reading something in this genre helps me keep my mind sharp and also helps me tap into the creative. It’s a nice reprieve from the mundane and monotony of life.

I’m hoping to read the whole series by the end of the year, not wanting to rush a second. This is the best thing about a book. You don’t have to rush through it. You can take it as long or short as you like it’s about the experience and thrill you get from the story inside. And I love that.

Books are amazing. And as a writer, it brings me back to my passion for the English language, as well as helping me push my creativity.

If you want to follow me on my reading journey, next month check out my Instagram page for updates on the books I'll be reading throughout the next coming months!

Also, if you know of any books I should read in the next few months let me know in the comments below! I’d love to hear about what you’re reading!

- Wellness Wonder Woman