Before the year ends, I want to do something simple for myself: read a book from beginning to end.
I spend so much of my day helping my scholars learn, encouraging their curiosity, and making room for their growth. Reading is something I celebrate with them. But I want to make room for it in my own life, too.
After a full workday, it’s easy to reach for my phone or turn on a show. Sometimes, that’s exactly how I want to unwind. Still, I like the idea of spending a few of those evenings with a book—getting caught up in a story or discovering a thought that stays with me.
My goal is one book. Something I’m interested in opening, even when I’m tired. It might be a novel, a memoir, or a book about personal growth. I want to choose it because it catches my attention, without feeling obligated to pick something impressive.
I can already picture the setting: my favorite cozy hoodie, a warm cup of herbal tea, and a comfortable place to sit. My phone can stay out of reach for a little while. Ten or fifteen minutes of reading would be a good place to start.
Some nights, I may finish a chapter. Other nights, I might read a few pages before my eyes get heavy. I want to give myself enough flexibility to enjoy the habit and keep coming back.
I’d also like to jot down anything that speaks to me. A sentence that makes me pause. A character I understand. An idea I want to think about later. Those little notes could become a journal entry or even inspire a future blog post.
As I continue making time for myself, this feels like a small promise I can keep. I don’t need a complicated plan. I need a book I want to read and a few quiet moments to spend with it.
Before I turn the calendar to a new year, I want to turn the last page of a good book—and know I made time to enjoy it.
