Reading Expands Your Perspective

Whether it’s a novel, self-help, biographies, or articles on Medium, reading allows you to view life through a new lens. Even if you don’t agree with everything the author has to say, you’re learning more about yourself and what it means to be human.

“Reading is the sole means by which we slip, involuntarily, often helplessly, into another’s skin, another’s voice, another’s soul.” — Joyce Carol Oates

Most of us are drawn to people who are similar to us. And reading can be one of the easiest ways to learn from others who have different experiences or viewpoints than we do.

Creating a Reading Habit Can Lead to Other Good Habits

If you want to create huge shifts in your life, it just takes one positive habit to lead you on the right path. Reading for 5–10 minutes a day is a great keystone habit to build because for many of us, it’s enjoyable and if you’re reading a paperback or even on a kindle, it can get you away from the smartphone or computer.

As someone who struggles with anxiety, I also find that reading a novel for a few minutes before bed is one of the best ways to relax and prepare my mind for sleep.

“Knowing you have something good to read before bed is among the most pleasurable of sensations.” — Vladimir Nabokov

Remember, it only takes one great habit to change your life.

Reading Will Make You a Better Writer

If you do any sort of writing either in your job, side hustle, or just for fun, reading often is a must! Nothing is more inspiring than finding beautiful authors and pieces of writing.

As writers, we should always be learning and becoming better at our craft. The more we can enhance our vocabulary or learn new ideas, we can add more flair and depth to the words that we share.

Read everything — trash, classics, good and bad, and see how they do it. Just like a carpenter who works as an apprentice and studies the master. Read! You’ll absorb it. Then write. If it is good, you’ll find out. -William Faulkner

Engaging With Books Can Be a Form of Therapy

Ask an avid reader to describe their relationship with books and you might be surprised.

“We read to know that we are not alone.” — C.S. Lewis

It’s not uncommon to hear readers refer to their books as ‘friends’ or to view reading as healing for the soul. In a world where people are craving closeness and to feel seen, books can provide a level of understanding that many people are missing in their real life or online connections.

Sometimes we just need to know that there is one person in the universe that can relate to what we’re going through. One person who can say, I’ve been there and I promise it will get better.

Or, someone who can show us the way, and be our guide, and often, books do this for us, at least they have for me, and I know they can for you too.

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