How to make time to read and write?

You want to read and write and take classes, but you have no time to do it. So, how do we make time to read?

I’ve been noticing a growing number of absences in my classes. This is by no means a complaint. Already you are ahead of me, I am not taking any classes myself. I am always and sincerely impressed by how you make the time and effort to add more art and literature to your lives.

But I’ve also noticed that you and I are similar, in that we have big expectations of ourselves. We want to read, write, prepare well, and understand the texts we study deeply. And this is all good until it takes us to an all-or-nothing zone, and then it’s not good. 

Over time, I came to accept that a little bit of a good thing is still a good thing. 

If I said to you, would you like to take a little of vitamin C or none at all, you’d most likely take a little. It might be below the amount that you needed, but it’s still better than none. 

The same is true in reading and writing. 

If you have 45 minutes free in a week, I invite you to spend it on reading and learning about Virginia Woolf and her brilliant novel, Mrs. Dalloway.

Keeping classwork in mind, I drafted a list of ideas on how one can prepare for the classes. And I decided to share it with you all even if you aren’t taking any classes, because I think it might inspire you to readjust your schedules to make more time for what you find meaningful in life.

Level 1

1. Listen to the compiled audio of the selected reading. This is what I expect everybody to do before coming to class. It is enough, and I mean it. Let’s enjoy some literature without any worries about how to perform in class. 

I hope the audiobook will make “homework” easier to get through, and I also think Kristin Scott Thomas’s performance greatly enhances the experience of receiving and reaching into Mrs. Dalloway’s world.

It will take 45 minutes of your time per week, so you can leave it to the very last minute. Well, the last 45 minutes before class. 

That’s it. We’ll do everything else together during our weekly meetings. 

Let’s assume you want to do more. Not that you have to. Seriously, just give yourself permission to enjoy the book. But if you insist…

Level 2

If you have an extra 15-25 minutes this week (Pick one, don’t be greedy!)

1. You can copy a sentence that you liked and send it to a friend. (I can always be that friend!)
2. You can read the voluntary “coffee with a neuroscientist” selection. They are very easy reads, just like the newspaper articles you might read while drinking your morning coffee, afternoon tea, or some other beverage at some other time. (Not in classes? Read some scientific response to your current interest, whatever it may be.)
3. You can read or listen to the weekly poem by T. S. Eliot. (If listening to something for 12-15 minutes feels too long, try doing it when you take a walk or during your commute.) (Not in classes? Honestly, just still read/listen to Eliot. I even picked my ice cream topping for a class party after his poems. He’s worth your time!)
4. You can do a little map/monument search online. How do some of the monuments Woolf talks about look today? Why not spend your online time for some literary fun? (Not in classes? Well, your own city is still there, isn’t it? Start searching!)
5. You can browse through the psychology reading. (Hint: Sigmund Freud is easier to read than William James. Pick your weeks accordingly.) (Not in classes? You may still get your psych fix from therapists/writers such as Guy Winch or Irvin Yalom, not that there’s anything wrong with James or Freud!)
6. You can check out the class questions and spend 15 minutes considering one that attracts your interest. (Not in classes? Why not make your own questions about what you read, including articles online? It’s intellectual gymnastics, so why not give it a go?)
7. You can read or listen to 6-10 pages from any of the related readings, while they all remain absolutely non-required for our class purposes. The three books I recommend are The Hours by Michael Cunningham, Saturday by Ian McEwan, and Antony and Cleopatra by Shakespeare. (You don’t know what to read for 6 minutes? Text me, and I’ll give you a few ideas, or too many ideas, I am not making any promises here.)

Do you have to keep doing these things next week? No, absolutely not. 

Every day is a different day, every week is a different week. It is by learning to adapt to the changes, we are able to build the reading and writing habits we aspire to.

Level 3

That said, if you have an extra 30-45 minutes this week, or any week:‍‍‍‍‍

1. You can listen to the audio file again, maybe follow it from the text this time, underlining some of those oh-so-beautiful sentences as you do, and putting silly marks in the margins as I do. (Not in classes? I am happy to recommend audiobook apps that I enjoy using.)
2. You can watch half of the movie adaptation of Michael Cunningham’s The Hours. (Not in classes? It’s entertainment after all, so why not switch your series/channels for a movie this week?)
3. You can go out and buy some flowers for yourself. Make sure to walk to the florist and appreciate your city in true Virginia Woolf style. Do you pass any important monuments on your way? Do you notice how everything is going as it always has? Do you notice any changes that came with the ceaselessly advancing technology of our times? (Not in classes? Well, what’s keeping you from buying yourself a tiny bouquet of something pretty? Just go and do it!)
4. You can do any of the 15-minute exercises just once and then spend another 20 minutes appreciating the present moment and all that it comes with, paying attention to the fight and flight of your thoughts and emotions.

Level 4

If you have an extra hour this week:

1. You can watch half of the movie adaptation of Virginia Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway.
2. You can come and write with me during Writing Hour on Monday.
3. I know an extra hour a week may also come in smaller 15-minute installments. In that case, refer back to Level 2, which is really rather fun. 
4. Does it come in 30-minute installments? Then, refer back to Level 3, which is serious, fun, and is likely to come with flowers! 

Not in classes? I expect you figured out how to use this as a template by now. 

And however you use this list, please remember: Your routine does not have to be the same day after day, week after week. Learning to adapt day by day as we wake up and start every new day is the flexibility we need in order to build the reading and writing habits that we will eventually turn into a lifestyle. 

*

*

* 

Follow The Ways of Black Ink

For free writing resources, information and announcements about reading and writing classes, and that random poem. 

Add Nazlı on WeChat

For questions and comments in English:

https://waysofblackink.wordpress.com/

[e-mail]