Im a big Instapaper hoarder.
I was never going to read everything Id saved.
It was time to clean out my Instapaper.
Like any to-do list, a reading list often represents outsized aspirations.
But we cant always be all these people.
(For example, no one will ever understand Bitcoin.)
If you hope to read whats really important, you gotta narrow your definition of important.
you’re able to try the same with your reading list: Will I enjoy reading this?
Dont think about how it feels tohave readthe article.
It always feels good tohave readsomething.
What matters is how it feelsto readit.
And enjoy doesnt have to mean feel happy.
you’re free to enjoy required reading, by feeling prepared for your meeting or midterms.
If that feels too abstract, ask this instead: Can I get away with not reading this article?
Is the relevant news cycle already over?
Will someone publish a simpler recap of this piece later?
Will someone publish a deeper dive?
In any of these cases, archive that article.
One last question to ask yourself: Why did I save this?
If you dont recall, and the article doesnt sound particularly fascinating, ditch it.
When people ask if you read it, say Sorry, I was busy!
When people argue about the article, dont join them.
You might feel left out, but is that really worse than plodding through that boring article?
Now have a go at beat that guess.
You might get bogged down in actually reading one of the articles.
Thats not terrible; its kind of the goal of this whole exercise.
Everything youre at all tepid about, move it to that folder.
Its possible that youll never get around to opening that long-term folder.
If so, thats great!
You were probably never going to read those pieces anywaywhich isfinebut theyre still there if you change your mind.
Youre not going to magically stop saving boring articles.
But you might get better at archiving them.
To stay aware of your backlog, turn on the unread items badge on your reading app.
Whenever that count gets too high, do a skim session.
Test different methods and pick whatever works for you.
But whatever method you use, remember: No one reads everything.
And no one should.
