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How My Reading Rituals and Bookish Journaling Have Evolved Over the Years
- Theresa Wilson
- 2 days ago
- 7 min read
Turning 30 this year has made me more reflective about many areas of my life, and my reading life was no exception. Over the years, my rituals and bookish journaling have shifted and grown alongside me, often in ways I didn’t fully notice until I paused to look back. What stands out most is the gradual growth — not just in how much I read or the kinds of books I reach for, but in the way I approach reading as a whole.
In my teens and early twenties, I devoured books at lightning speed, moving from one to the next without stopping to process what I had just read. A few years ago, that began to change. I started slowing down, giving more space to my own thoughts, and letting journaling become a way to hold on to the pieces of a story that resonated with me. My rituals shifted from racing through pages to savoring them, and from simply reading books to truly engaging with them.
If I had to sum it up in one sentence, it would be this: I went from demolishing books without much thought to spending intentional time reflecting on what I read and caring deeply about the experience. And honestly, I love that shift — because it’s given me a tangible way to see just how much my reading life has grown, and how much joy I get from nurturing it.
Early Reading Rituals
When I first got into reading, I didn’t have a set routine at all — I simply read whenever and wherever I could. I was young, and once I discovered how much I enjoyed reading, it quickly became something that grew on its own without me really thinking about it. There weren’t any special rituals or habits tied to the experience back then; it was simply about getting lost in the story in front of me.
Looking back, I wish I had kept some kind of journal during those years. It would be amazing now to flip back through my early reading history, to see not only what I was reading but also why I loved those books at the time. Instead, I have only scattered memories of those early reads — a blur of stories that carried me through my childhood and teens without leaving much of a personal record behind.
The Shift: Discovering Bookish Journaling
My shift into bookish journaling really began in 2020, when I was suddenly home all the time and spending more of my days online. That was the year I discovered BookTok and began connecting with a community of readers who inspired me to think differently about my own reading life. My reading skyrocketed, and for the first time, I wanted a way to track it.
At first, I kept things simple by using Goodreads to track my reading. But that quickly grew into something more personal. I started keeping a dedicated notebook, then moved on to creating pages for a binder, and eventually graduated to having a separate reading journal that felt like its own little space. Those early attempts were fairly straightforward: a star rating, a favorite quote or two, and usually a description of why I did or didn’t enjoy a book.
It wasn’t until a bit later that journaling really started to feel satisfying and calming. Seeing my thoughts on paper, and having tangible evidence of what I was reading and how my brain was processing each story, gave me a sense of control I hadn’t felt in a long time. It became a small but meaningful way to hold onto order during a chaotic period, and just the act of tracking my reading was a boost in itself.
BookTok played another role in inspiring my journaling. I fell in love with other readers’ journals — the layouts, the creativity, the ways they captured thoughts and memories — and honestly, they were a big reason I started journaling in the first place. I’ve never posted my own pages; mine are plain compared to the beautiful, elaborate spreads I see online, but they work for me. I prefer focusing on the content over the flashiness — creating my own cover pages and additional pages is where I add a touch of creativity, while the tracking pages themselves are dedicated to my thoughts and reflections about the books.
This process changed my reading perspective because it forced me to slow down and really think about the books I was reading, not just consume them. For the first time, I was fully engaging with stories in a way that was personal, reflective, and entirely my own.
Evolving Rituals in Different Seasons of Life
As I focused on my health and returned to work, I found that my reading pace naturally slowed. I still made time for my rituals — whether it was reading at night or during lunch breaks — but it became harder to dedicate the same uninterrupted hours to reading and journaling that I once had. For a few years, those habits suffered a bit, though I never completely abandoned them.
Then, in 2022–2023, life gave me another pause when I was stuck at home in a walking boot. My love for reading reignited, and I found myself diving back into journaling with renewed enthusiasm. This period wasn’t just about reading books; I also spent more time creating pages, designing stickers, and focusing on the other aspects of being a bookworm that bring me joy. Crafting bookmarks, keychains, or art inspired by reading became part of the ritual, strengthening my connection to books in a way that went beyond simply consuming stories.
These evolving rituals remind me that being a bookworm isn’t just about the books themselves — it’s about the little practices and creative outlets that make reading feel like a true part of my life, no matter what season I’m in.
Where I Am Now
These days, my reading varies depending on the day and what’s happening in my life. I usually try to read during my lunch hour at work and again at home before bed. I’m still working on finding a good balance so I can spend time in my reading nook on weekends or after work, but there’s always a lot going on that requires my attention. My nook doesn’t have a chair yet, as I haven’t found one I love, but when I do carve out time there, I make it cozy: a comfy blanket, the perfect lighting, a drink nearby, and my Spotify playlist called Notes Between the Lines, which is filled with instrumental music I love listening to while reading. If I’m reading in my bedroom before bed, I’ll light a candle and use my bedside lamp instead of the overhead light — these small, intentional decisions help me relax and focus, slowing my mind after a busy day.
Journaling remains a central part of my reading rituals, but now I’ve created a journal that works specifically for me. Previously, I tried using other popular book journals or following ideas from others, but they never quite fit. Last year, I took the time to design my own, fusing elements I’d liked in the past into a system that truly suits my preferences. For example, many books offer multiple formats — hardcover, paperback, or e-book — but I never use audiobooks and rarely use hardcovers, so my journal focuses only on e-books and paperbacks. I also enjoy adding creative elements: printing pages in black and white so I can color and decorate with my own stickers, making the journal uniquely mine.
Compared to 2020, I am still reading voraciously, but now I read with more thought and intention. Back then, reading was often an escape from my own mind; now, it’s simply a way to give myself a break. These rituals are a tool to calm me after a busy day, forcing my mind to slow down rather than racing a million miles an hour. My reading and journaling practices aren’t just about organization or creativity — they’ve become an important part of my mental health toolkit, helping me nurture both calm and joy in my everyday life.
My current journals serve multiple purposes — tracking, reflection, and creativity. The creative outlet is soothing, while the reflection and tracking help me stay organized and intentional about my reading. Together, they make my reading life richer, more mindful, and deeply personal.
What I’ve Learned from My Reading Rituals
Looking back, those first tracking sessions on Goodreads really sparked the nurturing of my reading habit. I love that over the years, my reading rituals and journaling have evolved alongside me, adapting to different stages of my life and working for me in new ways.
This evolution has taught me a lot. In 2020–2023, I needed the strict structure of detailed tracking to feel in control during a turbulent time. But as my mental health improved, I realized that rigid systems didn’t suit me anymore — I needed something flexible, personal, and adaptable, a journal that I could tweak and make my own.
If you’re just starting out with bookish journaling, my advice is simple: don’t spend money on a book tracker or fancy journal that might not work for you. Start small — a notebook or Goodreads is more than enough to begin with, and it will help you figure out whether this is something you want to continue. It’s okay if it’s not the right fit for you. If you do decide to pursue journaling, you can gradually add creative touches, keep it simple, or borrow ideas from online resources — whatever works for you. That’s essentially what I did, and the result is something uniquely mine, perfectly suited to my reading life.
Looking back on my reading journey, I am extremely grateful for the ways books have guided and grounded me, providing comfort and clarity over the years. Looking forward into 2026, my reading rituals will continue to evolve and grow — just as I do.
Reflecting on my reading rituals and bookish journaling over the years has shown me just how much growth, intention, and joy can come from making time for books in our lives. From the unstructured reading of my teens to the reflective, personalized journaling I do now, every stage has taught me something valuable — about reading, about myself, and about the small rituals that bring calm and clarity to daily life.
Whether you’re just discovering bookish journaling or looking to refine your own reading practices, remember that there’s no one “right” way to engage with books. Your rituals should serve you, support your reading life, and bring you joy — whether that means tracking your reads, reflecting on your thoughts, or adding creative touches to your journal.
I’d love to hear about your reading rituals! How do you make time for reading and reflection in your life? Do you journal, track your books, or have little rituals that make reading feel special? Share your thoughts in the comments below or on social media — let’s celebrate the ways we all nurture our reading lives.
“I don’t just identify as a bookworm — I’m a bookdragon. I collect, cherish, and celebrate every part of the reading world, from stories to journals, bookmarks, and little bookish treasures, not just the act of reading itself.”