The last week has been pretty typical, schedule wise, so I decided to keep a log of what, when, and where I read. I think I did this several years ago, but definitely not recently. I think the main takeaway anyone can get from this is that if it's important to you, you'll find time. I am a busy teacher, mom, wife, and friend, but reading every single day is something I make happen, so that I feel like myself.
I also have to point out that I basically do not watch TV; during this whole week I watched less than an hour and a half (one hour of Fargo with Scott and a half an hour of This is Us). It's not that I don't like to watch things, but I rarely have time to sit down for a full 45 minutes to an hour to actually commit. When I do watch things it's usually just to relax with Scott; I very rarely will watch anything alone, and never do I turn the TV on for myself when it's Sawyer and I (we don't have satellite, so that's part of it). I honestly just don't like the extra noise; I am generally surrounded by chatty (but lovable) teenagers, so it's nice to have a quieter atmosphere at home.
Here's the breakdown (and probably too much narrative):
Texts mentioned, and the abbreviations I'll use:
A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah (ALWG)
A Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wild (DG)
Kafka by Robert Crumb (KF)
How to Win at Feminism by The Reductress (HWF)
Wednesday 1/18
11:45-12:05 KF- My friend usually joins me for the last ten or fifteen minutes of lunch (we get thirty-five minutes), so I have been spending the first bit reading while eating.
5:15-5:30 ALWG- While Sawyer happily played with his trains
6:50-7:05 DG- I am reading this on the Serial App, so I try to get in some time while I supervise Sawyer's bath, since he ignores me anyway
9:20-9:45 ALWG- After a run and right before bed
Time: 1 hour and fifteen minutes
Thursday 1/19
11:45-12:00 KF- During lunch
8:05-8:15 DG- Under the crib while hanging out with Sawyer until he settled down a bit
9:25-9:50 DG/ALWG- Post hanging out with husband and before bed
Time: 50 minutes
Friday 1/20
7:30-8:00 KF- I technically am off (as in not my prep period; I am contractually not bound to work first period since I teach a very late class on Modays, but because of our daycare drop off time I end up at work anyway), and today I decided to read instead of work like normal, since I am caught up on grading and planning.
11:50-12:00 KF- lunch
9:05-9:25 ALWG- in the bath
Time: 1 hour
Saturday 1/21
2:20-2:40 ALWG- This was during Sawyer's nap, after I did some cleaning. Saturday is usually our day to do fun things, so I don't generally read a lot. This weekend we had friends over, other times we are off in Orange County, or whatever else we plan.
Time: 20 minutes
Sunday 1/22
7:34-7:45 ALWG- I got in a few pages while I ate my breakfast and Sawyer played.
3:00-4:00 ALWG- It was cold and rainy and I couldn't resist curling up on couch with my favorite blanket while Sawyer napped.
8:10-8:20 DG- Under the crib, sneaky-like
Time: 1 hour and 20 minutes
Monday 1/23
5:50-6:10 KF- I decided to read a book instead of blogs while I ate my breakfast before waking up Sawyer
7:50-8:10 KF- I busted my butt grading essays all weekend, so I spent some more of my off period reading
11:45-12:05 KF- Lunch
8:10-8:20 DG- Under crib
9:30-9:45 ALWD- After run and before bed
Time: 1 hour and 25 minutes (this is really surprising because I am at work really late on Mondays)
Tuesday 1/24
11:45-12:15 HWF- My friend had stuff to do during lunch, so I read
5:20-5:45 ALWD- While Sawyer played with trains
6:50-7:00 DG- While Sawyer was playing in the bath
Time: 1 hour
Total time: 7 hours and 10 minutes
Thoughts
- I miss reading in larger chunks, but I make it work
- Having books for different times is good for me... right now. Depending on what I am reading this doesn't always work, but a classic on my phone, a graphic novel at work, and a normal piece of prose for longer periods did the trick (I am also listening to an audiobook from my ride from work to daycare, but I don't count that as reading)
- I think I do a good job of playing with my son, but I also like him to see me partake in my own hobbies, like reading
- Taking some time to read during my lunch as been a really nice reward for working super hard and efficiently during my prep period, and often during my off period
- Not all weeks are like this; I was bringing my A game. Right now, a few days later I feel like my game has been graded to a C-.
You do a lot better than me lately. I am not sure why, but I seem to be struggling with reading lately. And, I am sure you are not worthy of a C-. We just tend to be too hard on ourselves and expect too much. :)
ReplyDeleteI miss reading in larger chunks too and I'm not always the best at sneaking in 10 or 15 minutes here and there like you have. The longest stretches of reading I usually do now are audiobooks when I listen doing housework, etc. I did make myself just sit and relax and read a print book during little man's nap last weekend and it was so wonderful -- I really need to do that more often. And I think it's great you read with Sawyer plays. My son is still not the best at independent play, but I think it's important that kids do that. I get lucky sometimes and it does work much better if I'm in the room reading than if I'm nearby but not in the room -- and I definitely can't be on my phone or all he wants is the phone!
ReplyDeleteWow, this is awesome! I think you're judging yourself too harshly; 7+ hours seems pretty good to me! Even the sheer act of recording all this information seems like a pretty stellar effort. :)
ReplyDeleteGiven your busy lifestyle, you make a great effort to read, even in little snippets. I tend to read in larger chunks as I find I can commit and connect to the story more. This was a really interesting post, and I feel like it probably took a good amount of effort to log!
ReplyDeleteLike you, I read in little bits and pieces throughout the day - the most would be half an hour at a time. I might try keeping a log next week and see what emerges!
ReplyDeleteI just loved this!
ReplyDeleteI can relate - after teaching teens all day I seek a quiet environment at home and the TV is something that can really feel bothersome. I find lately I would much rather read then put the telly on - as long as I read before 9 ish as I fall asleep! I wake up at 5:15 each morning to meditate and read before work ( this only happened once my son moved to uni! ) and I find it a lovely way to start my day - and of course check some book blogs like yours. You do very well considering all the marking you have ( English!! ) and a wee boy - and you still work out as well so kudos to you!
I love that you stuck with tracking your reading time. I'm sure I'd do good for 1-2 days but I'd definitely forget to log it afterwards...though I am really interested in seeing when/where I read.
ReplyDeleteI think it's great you fit in reading into your busy schedule! People always ask me how I find the time to read so much and like you, I just make the time. I have no more hours in my day than anyone else. I also agree that it's important that Sully sees me reading during the day. Sometimes he plays or sometimes he reads his own books beside me. Sometimes he demands I stop reading my book and read him his book lol. I don't ever have the TV on during the day, either to watch or for background noise either, so that makes it easier to fit in reading too I think. And yes, 7+ hours is really great considering how jam packed your days are! I have to ask though - what's with the reading under the crib?! LOL! Is that so Sawyer will fall asleep?
ReplyDelete