How I Finally Found Time to Read Again and How You Can Too

I used to love reading fiction and memoirs and great stories. Curling up with a good book at the end of a long day or on a weekend felt like breathing for my soul. There was something so comforting about slipping into a good story for awhile.

But then life shifted. Babies came. We stepped into foster care. And everything just started to feel like… a lot.

After we said goodbye to the sweet baby we were fostering in 2020, the stories I once loved so much felt heavy. The grief settled deep. And slowly, without even really noticing, I stopped reaching for books—and started reaching for my phone instead.

It felt harmless at first. I was just checking email. Posting on Instagram. Watching a few Instagram stories or videos on TikTok. But night after night, the scrolling stretched longer. And the reading? It faded into the background.

I kept telling myself I didn’t have time to read. But the truth? I did have time. I was just spending it on things that didn’t fill me up.

Somewhere along the way, I’d forgotten how much joy reading used to bring me. How a beautifully written novel or biography could whisk me away and refresh my spirit. And I missed that. I missed her—the girl who found delight and inspiration in the pages of a good story.

The Turning Point: One Small Change

At the beginning of this year, I knew something had to shift. I was spending too much time on my phone scrolling, I was staying up too late, and I was missing the peace and rest that reading used to bring me—those quiet moments at the end of the day where I could exhale and just be.

So I made a simple commitment: I’d turn off my phone at 8 p.m. every night. I wanted to be more intentional — to create space for the things that filled me up, instead of being drained and distracted by the things that didn’t.

I meant to stick with it. I really did. But somehow, I kept getting pulled back in. I’d tell myself I was just going to check one quick thing… and then five minutes turned into thirty. I’d scroll without even thinking—thumb flicking, mind buzzing, soul weary.

Eventually, I realized I needed help. That’s when I discovered the Opal app.

It lets you schedule downtime for your apps—and the best part? You can set it so you can’t override it. I set it to turn off my social media apps at 8:10 p.m. sharp, no exceptions. And just like that, the option to scroll disappeared.

No more “just one more minute.” No more temptation. And honestly? It felt like such a relief. Like I was finally giving myself permission to rest again.

How Five Minutes Changed Everything

With my phone off and the apps locked down, I made one more small commitment. With my sister’s encouragement, I decided to challenge myself to read for just five minutes every night.

Five minutes felt doable. No pressure. No long chapters. Just a little reset at the end of the day.

So I picked up a book that had been sitting on my nightstand for quite awhile (The Frozen River) and settled in. At first, it was hard. My mind kept drifting—wondering what I was missing, what I needed to check, what I should be doing instead. But knowing my phone was locked down helped me stay present. I literally couldn’t check it even if I wanted to.

So I kept at it. Just five minutes.

And something happened. That little five-minute rhythm started to grow.

Five minutes turned into ten… then twenty. And now? Most nights, you’ll find me curled up with a book for 20–30 minutes before bed—and sometimes even longer if I get swept up in the story.

The Surprising Benefits of Swapping Scrolling for Reading

Switching from mindless scrolling to intentional reading hasn’t just given me back my love for stories and the inspiration I get from them — it’s felt like it’s given me my evenings back. For real!

Here’s what I’ve noticed since making the switch:

I’m going to bed earlier. No more scrolling until midnight. I’m closing my book, turning out the light, and actually getting the sleep I’ve been craving.

I’m sleeping better. My mind is calm, not buzzing with social media highlights. I’m not thinking about someone else’s pictures or the latest TikTok controversy. I’m just at peace.

Our evenings feel calmer and more connected. Jesse and I spend more time talking, unwinding, and actually being present instead of separately scrolling!

My brain has more space to create. When I’m not cramming my mind with endless updates, I feel more inspired and creative. I’m dreaming up projects again, thinking about new goals, and feeling like I actually have time to pursue them.

Our house is staying cleaner. Less time scrolling means more time tidying up. It’s funny how ten minutes here and there makes such a difference.

But the most surprising thing? Replacing scrolling with reading has been like reconnecting with a part of me I forgot I missed. I’m diving into stories, laughing, and sometimes even holding my breath at the twists and turns of a good plot. It’s like I’m seeing an old friend again for the first time in years.

My Word of the Year: Unplugged

I’m learning more and more about what it means to unplug—not just from my phone but from the distractions that pull me away from the things I love. It’s felt so good to prioritize something I love so much again.

I recently finished The Frozen River and One Good Thing and I’m now reading The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife. I’ve loved each one in their own unique way… and I also have started creating a long list of other books I can’t wait to read. Which has motivated me to read even more!

If You’ve Been Wanting to Reclaim Your Evenings, Here’s How You Can Start:

1. Set a Hard Boundary

Choose a time to turn off your phone—8:10 p.m. has worked well for me, but find what works for you.

2. Get Accountability

I highly recommend the Opal app. It shuts your apps off at a set time, and you can’t override it (if you set it up that way). It’s the best kind of tough love.

If you want to try the Opal app, you can get a free 30-day trial here!

3. Start Small

Commit to just five minutes of reading each night. Pick something fun, light, or adventurous—whatever will get you turning the page.

4. Create a Cozy Space

You could even light a candle, grab a cozy blanket, pour a cup of tea, and make it a ritual you look forward to.

5. Celebrate the Small Wins

Celebrate that you’re sticking with this new habit, even when it’s just five minutes! (And maybe, just like for me, you’ll find that five minutes quickly turns into 10 or even 20 minutes!)

If you’ve been telling yourself you don’t have time to read, I’d encourage you to look at where your time is actually going. I realized I had plenty of time to read — once I stopped the habit of scrolling every night before bed!

You, too, might just find that you do have time for the things that bring you joy. You just have to unplug long enough to notice.

If you want the full story of how I made this life-giving change—and how you can do it too—I shared it all in my podcast episode: The Hard Truths We’ve Learned from a Month of Using the Opal App.