| Seking Intellectual Activity |
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| posted May 15, 2008 5:59:35 PM | To All |
| When I was in college I used to read so much. now I feel like I spend my whole mind trying to be productive, but miss that stimulation that I would get. anyone have any tips for how to incorporate more intellectual activity into your life? |
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| posted May 19, 2008 3:05:02 PM | To All |
I felt the same way after graduating. The first few months after finishing my studies, I simply felt a complete brain drain. I wasn't getting the same intellectual stimulation and challenges that I had enjoyed for the majority of my life. Everything seemed to come to a standstill.
I am an individual who thrives in academic environments, and it's been a struggle for these past few years. At some point I do wish to return to school and earn my master's degree, but in the meantime what I try to do is focus on things I wanted to learn while I was in school, but never had time to.
If there is a certain discipline or calling that you had and weren't able to fulfill, challenge yourself to learn and apply yourself in it. Make time after work and make sure to read a chapter in a book, if even for just a few minutes, just to get back into that learning stride.
For me it has been web development -- I have a degree in journalism, but I always supported myself financially through work on the Web. Though it's tough to have energy after a long work day, I try to make as much time as possible to learn skills I didn't learn in the past (CSS, PHP, Ajax, etc).
It's definitely rewarding each time I learn something new  |
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"We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect." -Aldo Leopold
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| posted May 21, 2008 10:31:48 AM | To All |
| A very simple thing that my fiance and I do is to download NPR podcasts we are most interested in, and listen while we clean the house or make dinner. It's a great, easy way to learn new things and spark your mind! |
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| posted Jun 18, 2008 9:11:05 AM | To Carrie |
I can certainly relate to how you're feeling. I am a bookworm, when I have time, and I love knowing a little bit about everything. After college I felt really scattered because I had so much responsibility being a single mom after my divorce and couldn't get the "intellectual stimulation" anymore ( and still struggle with it!). I was literally craving the mind stimulation! I started getting books from the library on subjects that I'd always had an interest in, but didn't know anything about. I also sought out discussion groups that seemed of interest to me at the time. I still get in those modes where I need to read, read, read and learn about things and a few years ago I took some classes online. I'm the type that can sit up all night and talk about deep subjects. Depending on what you're interests are, maybe check into volunteering somewhere that deals with something you like or want to learn more about. I joined a poetry group once, a spiritual discussion and drumming group, a women's barber shop singing group, etc. If it didn't seem my thing after trying it, I moved on. I'm into feeding my soul more now than I am about spending my days doing things that don't make me happy. If my soul's not fed, I don't feel like I can really be there and positive for my family and I don't feel like I'm living a genuine life. It really took me looking internally at what my desires were that I maybe never really pursued because of everyday expected responsibilites. Best of luck! |
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| posted Dec 3, 2008 11:13:47 AM | To All |
Hi, Carrie,
Recently I discovered audio books. Before I really got into them, I felt like they weren't quite 'books' somehow. There was a free offer from a site for a free download of an audio book, however, and I figured 'why not?'
Now I've got a membership to an audiobook website, and I've figured out that it's best to preview the narrator before getting the book. If I like the story idea and not the narrator, I write down the title and check out the book online, if I like the narrator I get the audio book. Being able to listen to the books I would normally never have time to read is awesome, as I love to knit, crochet, and spin yarn. Now I can listen to the book and work on my latest projects.
I've also found that the audio books for learning another language are much easier for me to learn from, since I can rewind it, hear it again and practice.
Hope that helps!
Suzi |
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| Everything changes. Nothing stays the same. |
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| posted Dec 12, 2008 2:38:23 PM | To All |
| You could also check out sites like meetup.com. I found a group for people that wanted to meet up and speak french for a few hours each sunday at a cafe. i was in a similar position when i graduated college i had no one to speak french with and i feel it slipping away. so if you speak a second language you could find something like that. they also have reading groups and things of that nature. |
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