How to Develop a Reading Habit: From Endless Scrolling to Mindful Reading
Growing up in an SSC board school, reading was never truly encouraged. Books were nothing more than a means to an end—a way to memorize answers, pass exams, and move on. I never developed a reading habit for pleasure or knowledge. If you had handed me a book back then, I would have struggled to finish even a single page. Until my 10th grade, all I knew was how to mug up. The idea of sitting down with a book for the sake of learning or enjoyment was foreign to me.
But then, college happened. And with it, came solo dates with myself.
Reading Habit: Saturdays at the Mall
Every Saturday, I found myself heading to Inorbit Mall in Malad, reaching at 11 AM—when the entire place was still waking up. The silence was comforting. I had a ritual: my first stop was always H&M. I would browse through the new collections, mentally noting if there was anything I needed (or let’s be honest, wanted). I spent 30 minutes there, and then, as if on autopilot, I walked toward Crossword.
This bookstore became my quiet escape. I wasn’t a reader, but I was drawn to the shelves, the neatly stacked books, the smell of paper and ink. I had no idea how to choose a book, so I did what made the most sense to me—I picked one by its cover & book title.
Why I Want to Read More
For the longest time, my screen time was close to 7 hours daily. Even when I was extremely sleepy, I still didn’t want to put my phone down. The endless scrolling felt addictive, and I realized how much of my day was slipping away. Watching YouTube, browsing Instagram, checking notifications—it was all consuming my time without me even noticing.
I wanted to change that. Reading a book makes me feel more present. When I sit down with a book, I am less glued to my phone. I love setting the mood—lighting a candle, making a cup of herbal tea (Sancha tea is my favorite), and just being with a book. I had set a goal of reading 12 books in 2025, but by March, I hadn’t even finished one. That’s when I knew I needed to do something differently.
One book that truly made me think, I need to do this more often, was Tuesdays with Morrie. It made me realize that books have the power to shift perspectives and bring deeper insights than a quick video or article ever could.
The Benefits of Reading Habit Over Endless Scrolling
- Less Screen Time – Books force you to step away from your phone and be present. No notifications, no distractions.
- Better Focus – Unlike videos or short content, reading demands your full attention, improving concentration over time.
- Stronger Vocabulary – You unconsciously pick up new words and ways to express yourself.
- Deeper Learning – Books dive into topics more profoundly than a 10-minute YouTube summary.
- Relaxation & Sleep – Reading before bed is far better than scrolling on your phone, helping you unwind.
No OTT, Just YouTube (But Even That Has Its Limits)
I don’t watch Netflix or Prime. I have never been into TV series or movies. But I love long-form YouTube content. Over the years, I have found channels that genuinely add value to my life. One of them was Seeken, who reviews books in a cool, engaging way. His videos were a great way to get book summaries without reading them. But now, his content has expanded so much that I’ve stopped watching regularly.
When searching for the best YouTube channels in 2025, many names come up, but what truly matters is finding someone whose content genuinely helps you grow. YouTube is a convenient alternative when you don’t have the time to sit with a book. But after a point, I realized that consuming content passively isn’t the same as actively reading. Reading demands more effort, but it also gives more in return.
Reading Habit I want to Develop: 15 Pages Before Bed
I don’t read every day, and honestly, reading was never an inbuilt habit for me. My parents never made me do it, and it wasn’t something I naturally gravitated toward. But from March, I have decided to read at least 15 pages before sleeping every night.
To make it fun, I also want to build my vocabulary. After every blog, I’ll pick one advanced word from it and share it here. Let’s build our vocabulary together!
My Thoughts on Reading
If you’ve never been a reader, don’t worry—I wasn’t either. But the benefits of reading are undeniable. It reduces screen time, improves focus, and gives you insights that short content simply can’t.
So if you’re like me, let’s start small. Pick up a book, set a goal, and commit to just 15 pages a day. You never know—one chapter might change the way you think, just like Tuesdays with Morrie did for me.
Word of the Blog: Perspicacious
Perspicacious (/pur-spi-KAY-shus/) – Having a keen ability to notice and understand things that are difficult or not obvious.
Example in a sentence: Her perspicacious observations about human behavior made her an excellent psychologist.
Over time, reading or learning new vocab not only broadens your knowledge or english but also build your confidence – because the more you know, the more assured you feel in conversations and decisions
