Free Time Diaries: Tomi Obebe
"I always say everyone is a reader. They just haven’t found the right book yet."
Welcome to Free Time Diaries, a series where I talk to people about their leisure time. You can find previous installments here.
This week, I’m thrilled to share wise words from Tomi Obebe, one of my favorite people on the Internet (and in real life). Along with being a fantastic follow, she’s a prolific reader who averages more than 100 books a year. I’ve written about this before, but I struggle with guilt about not reading enough, and Tomi made me realize I’ve probably been overthinking it. Here’s how she spends her free time!
AYANA: Tell me how you discovered the thing you like to do in your spare time. How and when did you fall in love?
TOMI: I’ve always been a voracious reader. As a kid, I would get my copies of The Magic Treehouse or The Hunger Games confiscated because I’d be reading too much during class. But after going to college and grad school, I was burnt out. I didn’t pick up a book for fun for almost 7 years! So when the pandemic began and I realized that I didn’t have any hobbies that weren’t screen related, it made the most sense. Getting back into reading has been one of the greatest decisions ever.
AYANA: One of the biggest struggles I hear about hobbies (including from myself!) is that there aren't enough hours in the day. Can you share how you find the time and motivation?
TOMI: When I first started reading again, I needed to make easy goals in order to stay consistent. Like, I must read 50 pages a night or for 30 minutes a day. Initially, it was to help me stop doom-scrolling in bed until 1 AM. Now it’s such a big part of my self-care routine, I can’t go without it. I read 125 books a year on average. It’s important to me as a hobby, so I just make time for it! I’ve cut down on my TV hours, but it was mostly the filler shows anyway. The different book formats also make it so much easier. For example I’ll listen to an audiobook while driving or doing chores around the house or even while working out!
AYANA: What's one thing you love about your hobby? Feel free to share more than one if there are several!
TOMI: There are a lot of negatives from social media, but I don’t think people realize how much smaller this world would feel without the ability to have online community. (Especially my bookish friends - we're a bunch of introverts, haha.) Thanks to TikTok, I feel like there’s been a resurgence in books with my generation and it makes me so proud. Being able to walk up to a stranger after recognizing one of my favorite books on the cover and instantly striking up a conversation is so much fun! And it's such a great escape - it's why I primarily read romance and fantasy. I know I’m always going to get a happy ending or I can be transported to a completely different world when I feel like our current timeline is getting to be too crazy, lol.
AYANA: Do you monetize, or is it strictly for fun?
TOMI: I actually did not monetize this hobby for a while because I wanted to have something fun not tied to my job. However, after years of sharing the things that I’m reading online, it just made sense to fold it into my work as a content creator. Now I share more in-depth book reviews, recommendations, and lead a monthly romance book club on social media. But I also attend in-person book clubs unrelated to my job. So yes, I’m monetized but man, do I have fun doing it. (Note from Ayana: Highly recommend joining Tomi’s virtual book club!)
AYANA: Any words of advice for someone who wants to start?
TOMI: This isn’t school anymore - we can read whatever we want! I’m constantly having to encourage adult readers that it’s OK to read fiction. It’s OK to read something that is not an educational source pushing you towards financial freedom before 40. It’s OK to read something that is different from the status quo! You should be able to read something that you enjoy, and not just because it’s on a checklist. I always say everyone is a reader. They just haven’t found the right book yet.
Tomi Obebe is a lifestyle influencer based in Charlotte, North Carolina with her husband, Will. Starting her blog in college, her content has grown along with her audience. Since 2015, Tomi has enjoyed sharing her love for colorful style, self-care tips, and book reviews. Tomi’s work advocating for diversity and inclusion within influencer marketing has been featured in Business Insider, The LA Times, HuffPost, and more. Web / YouTube / Instagram / Goodreads
Have an interesting hobby you want to share? Shoot me a note at hello@ayanalage.com or respond to this email.
this is such a fun interview and the pictures are gorgeous! Just followed her :)