Reading is a fantastic way to learn, expand your knowledge, and have fun. However, for a while, I struggled to understand the purpose of reading and felt guilty for reading topics that weren’t useful, concrete, or practical. Guilty about reading, you say? It was silly and came from my productivity-focused brain.

In this post, I’ll share some tips on how to categorize your reading based on its purpose. These tips have helped me feel great about whatever book I pick up, whether it’s for learning or for enjoyment.

Understand the Purpose of a Reading Session

I used to feel like I was wasting time if I wasn’t learning something tangible and useful from my books. Once I realized that this was the reason I wasn’t enjoying certain books, although they were objectively really good books, I felt relieved. Understanding the reasoning, although a bit foolish, made it possible for me to focus on the solution. Now, I’m learning to remind myself that there’s value in reading for enjoyment as well.

For the past couple of months, I’ve been experimenting with being intentional about the purpose of a reading session, and it removes the negative thoughts that I’ve had towards my constant-improvement self.

The intentionality of the situation allows me to fully embrace reading for enjoyment without any feelings of guilt.

When I decide to pick up a book or article purely for the entertainment value it presents, the intentionality of the situation allows me to fully embrace reading for enjoyment without any feelings of guilt.

I separate the ‘reading for enjoyment’ and ‘reading for learning’, and so far I’m growing to like to also read for enjoyment because it’s not “getting in the way” of my “productive” reading time.

Categorizing my purposes of reading reminds me of a concept that Ali Abdaal, YouTube productivity guru, mentioned in his newsletter Sunday Snippets a while back.

Ali Abdaal argues that one can either explore or exploit. When you read for exploration, you read to get inspired and to get new ideas on your radar, for example by speed-listening to audiobooks or skimming or reading articles. Autobiographies, popular easy-read self-help books, or general business books fit this category for me.

More from me: Reading with Intention: Applying Pixar’s Concept for Powerful Understanding

When you flip the switch to read for exploitation, you zoom in on one book and one idea. This is where you commit time and energy. You make highlights and take detailed notes. Books about history, philosophy, psychology, or leadership.

For me, I have this weird idea that I should exploit all books (reading for learning). That’s the productive thing to do, right? Since I’ve learned to mentally separate the two purposes, I don’t feel as much guilt about skimming a book that’s half-interesting or reading some fiction that’s not “productive”. Because the exact purposes of those books are to read to get inspired, not to intentionally learn.

Stock Up Multiple Categories

Two distinct approaches require two different mindsets and setups. When you’re in learning mode, you need to be receptive and have the mental clarity to absorb new information. When you’re reading casual books, you might be winding down from a busy day and be OK with forgetting most of what you read.

My “hack” is that I always have at least one book that I’m reading as a deep dive. As it can take weeks to read that one book, I’m reading a few other books for inspiration or enjoyment at the same time. This way, I always have a book that fits my mood, energy, and time.

I read about 3-5 books at the same time, so I always have a book that aligns with my resources. It took me some time to be comfortable with having such a bookshelf, probably because I grew up being told in school that I should start (and finish!) a single book before I move on to the next.

You will be the same person in five years as you are today except for the people you meet and the books you read.

Charlie Jones

When all is said and done, any kind of reading is obviously a productive thing! Internet GOAT Naval Ravikant says that you should read what you love, until you love to read. That is an important note. No matter what you’re reading, it’s awesome that you’re reading!