How I Balance Reading With Work, Life, and Everything In Between

Some Days Feel Impossible

Some days I wake up and wonder how anyone can fit everything into one life. Between work, the gym, cooking, side hustles, and personal projects, it sometimes feels impossible to breathe. And yet, somehow, I’ve found a way to keep reading, creating, and even enjoying the little moments — and I want to show you how.

Sometimes life feels heavy, and I’m not sure how I can fit everything into one day. My typical day looks like this — wake up, go to work, get home, go to the gym, cook dinner for my boyfriend and me, go to sleep, and repeat. It’s hard to fit in the things I actually want to do, making life feel a little less meaningful.

Often, I wish I could just not go to work — but that’s not realistic, right? Or I wish I lived closer to my job, not three hours roundtrip each day. That alone would lift a weight off my shoulders and allow me to breathe and do the things I love. Sometimes I look at my calendar, and tears stream down my face because of how much responsibility I endure every day.

Here’s a typical day for me:

5:00 AM: Wake up, get ready for work, eat breakfast
5:45 AM: Leave for work
7:15 AM: Arrive at work
3:45 PM: Leave work
5:15 PM: Get home
5:30 PM: Cook dinner
6:30 PM: Go to the gym
9:00 PM: Get ready for bed

When I wake up in the morning, it’s dark. When I leave work, it’s dark. I don’t see daylight, and I live this every day on repeat. On weekends, I work as a waitress for extra income just to get by with all my bills. Rent is expensive, student loans are expensive, and sometimes I don’t have money to put food on the table.

Finding Time for What I Love

So how do I find the time to do the things I love? How do I read so many books, make content for BookTok, start a blog, and write my own stories?

Sometimes life feels like one big balancing act where I am constantly on the edge. Life used to feel suffocating when I tried to do things for myself and ended up feeling guilty or exhausted.

Well, I can tell you one thing — it’s not easy. Most days, I want to cry, but I make it work. The easiest piece of advice I can give is to keep your mind in the present and use a planner or calendar to map out your day and week in advance.

If you’re anything like me, one small disruption can throw your whole day off. This is why having a calendar and planner has saved me — and my gray hairs.

Planning Meals and Nightly Routines

Meal prepping in advance and planning out meals has saved me time and stress. I no longer panic or settle on takeout (which happened more times than I like to admit).

My nightly routine before bed includes showering (so I don’t have to in the morning), laying out my outfit for the next day, packing my bag, and making my lunch. This ensures that even if I oversleep, I don’t have as much to do in the morning.

Assigning Hobbies to Days

When you have a busy schedule like mine, it’s impossible to do everything every day. I pick a hobby and assign it to a certain day:

Monday: Work on my novel or short story (7:30 PM–9:00 PM), read and relax in bed (9:00 PM–10:00 PM)

Tuesday: Film 2–3 BookTok videos (7:30 PM–8:00 PM), draft or outline a blog post (8:00 PM–8:45 PM), read and relax (8:45 PM–10:00 PM)

Wednesday: Create/edit Pinterest boards, list Etsy products, plan the day (7:30 PM–8:30 PM), read or watch TV (8:30 PM–10:00 PM)

Thursday: Alternate between writing new material and editing short stories (7:30 PM–9:00 PM), read or watch TV (9:00 PM–10:00 PM)

Friday: “Rest day” — spend time with friends, date night with my boyfriend, extra reading, or simply nothing

Saturday: Batch book content/write a blog post/Etsy product creation (2–3 hours)

Sunday: Writing/editing/weekly planning (1–2 hours)

Using Audiobooks and Multitasking

You’re probably thinking, “Okay, but how do you read so many books?” After experiencing burnout, chronic fatigue, and being unable to perform at work or with my hobbies, I learned that prioritizing sleep is a must. I end each night with an hour or two of a book in my hand, which allows my mind and body to rest before I sleep by 10:00 PM. Yes, I know I’m only getting about seven hours of sleep, but this is what works for me.

I’m able to read so many books not because I’m a fast reader, but because I learned to juggle multiple things at once. My commute is three hours roundtrip, so instead of listening to music every day, I throw on an audiobook. During workouts, I do the same — listening while lifting weights or doing cardio. Honestly, it makes time go by faster too.

Finding Your Balance

Life may seem impossible at times, but from one busy person to another, there is always time to do what you love. Do not settle for less. We were not put on this planet just to work, pay bills, and breathe. We were put here to enjoy the little things, find hobbies we love, and adventure outside our comfort zone.

Social Life and Self-Care

Weekdays are my “productive days.” I do not socialize during the workweek. I prioritize work and my hobbies. It’s important to remember: never feel guilty for finding time for yourself. These are hobbies — self-care. You deserve to feel happy.

Weekends are what I’ve found work best for socializing. I have more free time, and if I’m waitressing, it doesn’t take up my entire day. I also don’t have to worry about missing my alarm the next morning.

What works for me may not work for you, but it’s up to you to find your balance between a busy work life and your personal life.

Final Thoughts

Life will always feel busy, overwhelming, and sometimes unfair. But that doesn’t mean you have to give up on the things that make you feel alive. Finding balance is not about doing everything at once — it’s about making space for what matters most, planning smartly, and protecting time for yourself.

For me, reading, writing, creating, and even tiny moments of self-care are my lifeline. And no matter how busy life gets, I’ve learned that there’s always a way to make room for what you love. You just have to prioritize it — and fight for it.