Balancing reading as a hobby with reading for school and work

Hello everyone!

Over the past year I’ve noticed myself struggling to balance reading as a hobby with all of the reading that is incorporated into my studies. I wouldn’t necessarily call this a “reading slump,” but rather poor(?) time management or lack of time in general.

I spent the past year and a half of undergrad taking 18-20 credits each semester to speed run graduating, which gave me way less time to read for enjoyment. I haven’t finished a book since February, and I haven’t been able to read more than 20 pages at a time without losing focus because of how much I’ve been reading for school. I used to post regularly on other social media platforms, as well as this subreddit, with reviews and thoughts and opinions because I was so engaged with what I was reading, but I simply just haven’t had the time to keep up.

I just graduated (woohoo!) but I’m starting a master’s program in the fall with teaching and research assistantships, which I know will require a lot of reading on its own. I love reading fiction for my own enjoyment, but I’ve drilled so much nonfiction and research papers into my daily life at this point that I don’t know how to balance it. It’s turning what was once my favorite hobby into something I just can’t balance anymore, despite how much I want to.

Sorry if this is a subject that has already been posted on here, but I would love some advice and input! Is it better to give myself a break altogether, or try to ease back into it, or a secret third option? Feeling stuck and defeated (and pretty sad too). Thanks in advance!