You know what, hell yeah!! I've always wanted to research more about equine behaviour and biomechanics, and ive been too overwhelmed to start, but you're right! I'm in it for the love of the game, I want to learn!! I shouldn't deny myself that just because it's overwhelming!!
Just a suggestion as someone who has learned a lot about equine behavior- you can start 'small' through following accounts dedicated to such! Thewillingequine and Warwick Schiller are two of my favorites! They both have audio and video discussions as well :] there are a lot of textbooks as well but starting with application of biomechanics can be an easier place to start- basic massage books compared to huge textbooks gave me an introduction to the musculature of equines without all the technical vocabulary and specific naming of muscles
Thank you so much, that's so helpful!! I'm already following thewillingequine and I'll be checking Warwick Schiller's account today!! I'll start looking for basic massage books too, thank you so much for the suggestion!!
As a recent Master’s grad, staring down the abysmal job market vs. pursuing a PhD, I really appreciate this perspective. It’s definitely something you want to take on when pursuing a degree!
I've realized recently that I have an easier time focusing on reading when there's something happening around me. It took me a long time to figure this out because it seems counter-intuitive. I love reading in the car, on the ferry, or while I'm waiting for something. And specifically when it comes to nonfiction, I like having someone nearby so I can share what I'm learning as I'm learning it.
Ugh love parallel play!! And I wouldn’t say that’s counter-intuitive, I’d say that’s reading for fun, for the hell of it. That’s amazing! You’re between “points” which is the area of awareness and that’s where reading is most immersive, playful. It’s the journey, not the destination.
This is so me, I think it's where I grew up but I don't mind studying in a fish market, it helps me feel good hearing and feeling others around me and I also want to reach out and share everything I have learned
I’ve been a learner, devouring information since I learned to read at age four, discovered my father’s ancient volumes of The Book of Knowledge at age 5, gloried in the Golden Book Encyclopedias at 7.
In the 1970s, I became fascinated in turn with organic gardening, Frank Lloyd Wright, passive solar architecture, homesteading, beekeeping, cooking for optimal health, impressionist painting, classical music, and running. For each of these interests, I indulged in enormous amounts of research.
I took up watercolor painting at 68. It was definitely fun, but I probably got even more enjoyment from researching pigments and binders, along with types of watercolor paper, and how they are made. And then, of course, there are all the different types of brushes.
A few people in my life have been harshly critical of my constantly changing (evolving) interests, suggesting that not sticking with one thing for my entire life is somehow a moral failing.
I love learning! I want to know WHY and HOW and WHAT IF!
A number of times, I said that if I was extremely wealthy, I would fund so much research!
Just gobsmacked!
I’m now in my 70s and I’m still learning! I’ve decided to try violin. A few months ago, I took up oil painting (all the different brands and pigments… Fascinating!). I am getting certified as a personal trainer. And the older I get, the more I consume information at this crazy galloping rate. And I still have so many questions!
I’ve bought a guitar acoustic and a violin before but I couldn’t learn it . Everyone keeps telling me to stick to one thing
It’s not my fault all of my interests and interesting to me . Reading this is so motivational because I’m learning and bringing myself out of scarcity of time and learning resource
Love this I’m nearly 62 - still a primary school teacher - and I am learning all the time - have got myself into genealogy, watercolour painting, history of art, music in general but especially opera and classical recently, books everywhere, notebooks, pens, highlighters and this year I really want to start writing fiction properly - reading Stephen King On Wrting at the moment! Learning is great!!!
This is me. I think I find more fun in researching the full structure of the hobby than the actual hobby itself. Pretty much why I lose interest after I learn everything. I no longer actually want to DO it
I am like this! I've been like this my whole life! However I've been struggling with seeing it as a strength rather than weakness. I'm naturally curious and want to learn about everything, and I've internalise the belief that constantly changing what I do is a bad thing. Recently I've been trying to embrace the versatility of my own interests and life as a good thing, if not a great thing, rather than a personal failing - it's hard though!
I'm the same age and had the same arc of changing interests. The love of learning powers so much of my life, and I'm so grateful it started early for me. So many things to learn about that are so much more accessible now. Through college and early adulthood my main source for research were (paper) card catalogs at libraries!
I've been starting research as a hobby and it is the most amazing hobby ever!!! I would love to read more of your advice on research. Maybe free resources, journaling tips and note-taking methods, and more tools on building a whole mental library of obscure information.
I believe you already have everything you need as regards note-taking. How you take the notes depends on what your goal is. You can read “Building a Second Brain” and “How to Take SMART Notes”, I believe you’ll get all the answers you need.
This is some good shit. You crafted an approachable and fun tone with authentic reflection and metacognition. Real good shit. (I realize this reads as a mandatory discussion post response. Forgive me plz)
As a professor, I support this. It is important to keep learning and find information through research, and note taking is a great way. I got back into research when I started writing on Substack. It is really fun.
This is lovely 🩷 thank you so much! I love learning and spend a lot of time falling down rabbit holes. I find myself getting stuck on shoulds though: “I should like this more than I do”, “I should be learning about that and not this”. Thank you for the reminder to allow myself!
This is brilliant. Learning and doing research is so incredibly negatively painted through my experiences in university. I’ve never thought about picking this up again because university just made me feel like the biggest imposter. To do research and learning just for myself as a hobby is an amazing approach to get back into it. Thank you! 😊
I was so excited to see you on here Sarah! Love this article and researching for fun is such a calming thing for me. Another suggestion I have is that if you are looking for niche material or books on a topic, look at reddit for that specific subject. Some forums like r/AskaHistorian have a whole list of recommended books broken down by country and themes. I have found so many cool non-fiction pieces just from perusing reddit.
Love this! As a full time freelancer it’s sooooo hard to find time to self research. And when I do have time I don’t have the energy! But what I do have is the ability to romanticize my weekend mornings. A cup of latte, my books, my Mac, and an ambient video is all I need to get cozy and start learning.
I love this take. As an AP Seminar teacher, I want students to really dive into their research because it can be fun, not just for a passing score. I do see their need for wanting to pass as a good incentive as well, but I want them to get into a solid balance of both. Idk if that makes sense. Super side note: I’ve loved you since Vine. You’re truly one of the funniest people I’ve seen online and I’m glad to see you on this educational journey now as well. I loved your series on TikTok that paralleled monthly themes. Anyway, that’s my rant. Thank you for the work you continue to do to educate not just yourself but others as well. ✨🫶🏼
I really love that idea. Well currently at my age and health problems I do not have any friends except my sisters. They are not the 'debating' types. My daughter is the one. I have a book on capital punishment. It would be interesting if my daughter would be willing to play the part of being "for' it. Debating a topic is always good for learning.
You know what, hell yeah!! I've always wanted to research more about equine behaviour and biomechanics, and ive been too overwhelmed to start, but you're right! I'm in it for the love of the game, I want to learn!! I shouldn't deny myself that just because it's overwhelming!!
Exactly!! Also this is your “love life” you truly don’t need to rush! Just take your timeee, fall head over heels
Just a suggestion as someone who has learned a lot about equine behavior- you can start 'small' through following accounts dedicated to such! Thewillingequine and Warwick Schiller are two of my favorites! They both have audio and video discussions as well :] there are a lot of textbooks as well but starting with application of biomechanics can be an easier place to start- basic massage books compared to huge textbooks gave me an introduction to the musculature of equines without all the technical vocabulary and specific naming of muscles
Thank you so much, that's so helpful!! I'm already following thewillingequine and I'll be checking Warwick Schiller's account today!! I'll start looking for basic massage books too, thank you so much for the suggestion!!
For the love of the game, Mare, let’s freaking go!!!
"For the love of the game" is a quote that is going on my wall!
I’m too busy fact checking lying Politicians.
Start small out of curiosity
As a recent Master’s grad, staring down the abysmal job market vs. pursuing a PhD, I really appreciate this perspective. It’s definitely something you want to take on when pursuing a degree!
I've realized recently that I have an easier time focusing on reading when there's something happening around me. It took me a long time to figure this out because it seems counter-intuitive. I love reading in the car, on the ferry, or while I'm waiting for something. And specifically when it comes to nonfiction, I like having someone nearby so I can share what I'm learning as I'm learning it.
Ugh love parallel play!! And I wouldn’t say that’s counter-intuitive, I’d say that’s reading for fun, for the hell of it. That’s amazing! You’re between “points” which is the area of awareness and that’s where reading is most immersive, playful. It’s the journey, not the destination.
This is so me, I think it's where I grew up but I don't mind studying in a fish market, it helps me feel good hearing and feeling others around me and I also want to reach out and share everything I have learned
Research as a HOBBY in and of itself?!
I’ve been a learner, devouring information since I learned to read at age four, discovered my father’s ancient volumes of The Book of Knowledge at age 5, gloried in the Golden Book Encyclopedias at 7.
In the 1970s, I became fascinated in turn with organic gardening, Frank Lloyd Wright, passive solar architecture, homesteading, beekeeping, cooking for optimal health, impressionist painting, classical music, and running. For each of these interests, I indulged in enormous amounts of research.
I took up watercolor painting at 68. It was definitely fun, but I probably got even more enjoyment from researching pigments and binders, along with types of watercolor paper, and how they are made. And then, of course, there are all the different types of brushes.
A few people in my life have been harshly critical of my constantly changing (evolving) interests, suggesting that not sticking with one thing for my entire life is somehow a moral failing.
I love learning! I want to know WHY and HOW and WHAT IF!
A number of times, I said that if I was extremely wealthy, I would fund so much research!
Just gobsmacked!
I’m now in my 70s and I’m still learning! I’ve decided to try violin. A few months ago, I took up oil painting (all the different brands and pigments… Fascinating!). I am getting certified as a personal trainer. And the older I get, the more I consume information at this crazy galloping rate. And I still have so many questions!
Same my first big book was my dads
Rich dad poor dad I was five 5
I want to be like you as I grow older
I’m scared to learn instruments and suck at it
I’ve bought a guitar acoustic and a violin before but I couldn’t learn it . Everyone keeps telling me to stick to one thing
It’s not my fault all of my interests and interesting to me . Reading this is so motivational because I’m learning and bringing myself out of scarcity of time and learning resource
Love this I’m nearly 62 - still a primary school teacher - and I am learning all the time - have got myself into genealogy, watercolour painting, history of art, music in general but especially opera and classical recently, books everywhere, notebooks, pens, highlighters and this year I really want to start writing fiction properly - reading Stephen King On Wrting at the moment! Learning is great!!!
This is me. I think I find more fun in researching the full structure of the hobby than the actual hobby itself. Pretty much why I lose interest after I learn everything. I no longer actually want to DO it
I am like this! I've been like this my whole life! However I've been struggling with seeing it as a strength rather than weakness. I'm naturally curious and want to learn about everything, and I've internalise the belief that constantly changing what I do is a bad thing. Recently I've been trying to embrace the versatility of my own interests and life as a good thing, if not a great thing, rather than a personal failing - it's hard though!
I just recently discovered that not everyone is like this. I'm not young either.
I'm the same age and had the same arc of changing interests. The love of learning powers so much of my life, and I'm so grateful it started early for me. So many things to learn about that are so much more accessible now. Through college and early adulthood my main source for research were (paper) card catalogs at libraries!
I've been starting research as a hobby and it is the most amazing hobby ever!!! I would love to read more of your advice on research. Maybe free resources, journaling tips and note-taking methods, and more tools on building a whole mental library of obscure information.
I believe you already have everything you need as regards note-taking. How you take the notes depends on what your goal is. You can read “Building a Second Brain” and “How to Take SMART Notes”, I believe you’ll get all the answers you need.
I second these suggestions! Also Google "commonplace book" to learn about another very useful way of remembering what you've read. Here's an excellent article: https://notebookofghosts.com/2018/02/25/a-brief-guide-to-keeping-a-commonplace-book/
This is some good shit. You crafted an approachable and fun tone with authentic reflection and metacognition. Real good shit. (I realize this reads as a mandatory discussion post response. Forgive me plz)
Like, real good shit. This whole post has my heart going wild right now.
Just.. wow.
As a professor, I support this. It is important to keep learning and find information through research, and note taking is a great way. I got back into research when I started writing on Substack. It is really fun.
This is lovely 🩷 thank you so much! I love learning and spend a lot of time falling down rabbit holes. I find myself getting stuck on shoulds though: “I should like this more than I do”, “I should be learning about that and not this”. Thank you for the reminder to allow myself!
"Give yourself an enemies to lovers arc with learning." — Ha! Best unexpected angle on this.
This makes my little librarian heart so happy
This is brilliant. Learning and doing research is so incredibly negatively painted through my experiences in university. I’ve never thought about picking this up again because university just made me feel like the biggest imposter. To do research and learning just for myself as a hobby is an amazing approach to get back into it. Thank you! 😊
I was so excited to see you on here Sarah! Love this article and researching for fun is such a calming thing for me. Another suggestion I have is that if you are looking for niche material or books on a topic, look at reddit for that specific subject. Some forums like r/AskaHistorian have a whole list of recommended books broken down by country and themes. I have found so many cool non-fiction pieces just from perusing reddit.
Love this! As a full time freelancer it’s sooooo hard to find time to self research. And when I do have time I don’t have the energy! But what I do have is the ability to romanticize my weekend mornings. A cup of latte, my books, my Mac, and an ambient video is all I need to get cozy and start learning.
I love this take. As an AP Seminar teacher, I want students to really dive into their research because it can be fun, not just for a passing score. I do see their need for wanting to pass as a good incentive as well, but I want them to get into a solid balance of both. Idk if that makes sense. Super side note: I’ve loved you since Vine. You’re truly one of the funniest people I’ve seen online and I’m glad to see you on this educational journey now as well. I loved your series on TikTok that paralleled monthly themes. Anyway, that’s my rant. Thank you for the work you continue to do to educate not just yourself but others as well. ✨🫶🏼
If you have adhd , you can do this without any system it just happens randomly 🤪
I do have ADHD
That’s exactly what it is for me lmfao. Always random
My suggestion is to get into an argument with your friends about something you’re passionate about and then have one of them ask you to prove it and subsequently go down a rabbit hole of going back into research and writing a 28 page paper about it to prove them wrong https://open.substack.com/pub/theshadowmoments/p/beyond-camp-twilight-as-21stcentury?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
I really love that idea. Well currently at my age and health problems I do not have any friends except my sisters. They are not the 'debating' types. My daughter is the one. I have a book on capital punishment. It would be interesting if my daughter would be willing to play the part of being "for' it. Debating a topic is always good for learning.