Change Your Mindset, Change Your Commute
The first step is mental. For many, the commute is a source of frustration—a period of the day to simply be endured. Instead of viewing it as lost time, reframe it as 'found time'. This is a dedicated, recurring slot in your day that you can claim for
yourself. Studies have shown that reading can reduce stress, enhance brain stimulation, and improve memory. By transforming your travel into a reading session, you're not just passing the time; you're actively investing in your well-being and personal growth. It provides a mental escape from the day's pressures and allows you to start or end your workday with a sense of calm and accomplishment. Attaching a new habit to an existing one, like your daily travel, is a proven way to make it stick.
Find the Right Format for Your Journey
The perfect reading format depends entirely on your mode of transport. If you drive, audiobooks are your best friend, allowing you to stay hands-free while diving into a story. For those on crowded buses or trains where holding a physical book is difficult, audiobooks are also a fantastic, screen-free option. If you're lucky enough to get a seat, e-readers or reading apps on your phone offer a library in your pocket without the bulk of a physical book. They allow for one-handed reading and adjustable fonts. Traditional paperbacks, however, offer a welcome escape from screens, which can be a relief after a long day staring at a computer. Don't be afraid to mix and match; many modern readers use audiobooks for the commute and a physical book or e-book at home.
Curate a Commute-Friendly Library
Not all books are suited for a journey filled with interruptions. Dense, complex narratives can be hard to follow when you're navigating transfers or noisy environments. Instead, build a library of commute-friendly reads. Short story collections, essays, or books with shorter chapters are perfect for dipping in and out of. Some fiction books that are easy to digest can also be great choices, allowing your imagination to wander without requiring intense concentration. Look for books that grab your attention quickly. If a book doesn't interest you after 50 pages, don't feel guilty about abandoning it. Reading should be enjoyable, not a chore, and choosing books you genuinely love is the key to building a lasting habit.
Embrace the Right Tools and Tech
A few key apps can make your commute reading seamless. For audiobooks, platforms like Audible offer massive libraries and allow you to exchange books you don't enjoy. Scribd provides a subscription service for both e-books and audiobooks, giving you a wide variety of content. If you prefer to borrow, apps like Libby connect to your local library's digital collection for free. For managing your to-be-read list and tracking progress, Goodreads is an essential tool. And if you simply want to catch up on articles you've saved, Pocket allows you to download them for offline reading. For those with very short bursts of time, apps like Rooster deliver book installments that take only about 15 minutes to read.
Start Small and Be Consistent
You don't need to read for an hour straight on your first day. The key to building a sustainable habit is to start small. Aim for just 10 or 15 pages, or listen to one chapter of an audiobook. Consistency is more important than volume. Even a few pages each day will add up to dozens of books over a year. Don't get discouraged by distractions. If you find your mind wandering, take a short break. Keep a book with you at all times, whether it's on your phone or in your bag, so you can take advantage of any unexpected downtime. The goal is to make reading a natural part of your daily routine, not another task on your to-do list.
