While the world certainly has its share of problems at the moment, there’s a silver lining we should always remember: we have more access to information than ever before.
That comes with its own share of problems, of course, like an overabundance of news and the often negative impact of social media on mental health. But for those who develop a degree of mindfulness about how they use the internet, the possibilities for self-growth and increased positivity are endless.
Never in human history has it been so easy to learn something new — and about any subject or discipline you could possibly imagine. There’s no reason to feel bored when access to all of human knowledge is just a click away.
Yet finding the motivation for learning something new isn’t always easy. So here’s a few suggestions for finding a new passion to stimulate your brain and lift your outlook on life.
Explore Websites Aimed at Learning
If you’re not sure exactly what you’re looking for, there are several websites that offer fascinating subject matter, quizzes and games with a huge diversity of subject matter.
Quora, for example, combines the social aspect of sites like Reddit with a mission to share knowledge and bring together people of similar backgrounds and intellectual pursuits. “It’s a platform to ask questions and connect with people who contribute unique insights and quality answers,” the website says.
If games are more your speed, then you have to try Mental Floss, one of the internet’s longest running sites aimed at learning, science and fun mini-games. It even has an Amazing Fact Generator!
Try A New Podcast
In recent years, podcasts have become one of the fastest-growing forms of media, with new podcasts started — and likely ending — every day.
Do you love popular culture? Then check out National Public Radio’s Pop Culture Happy Hour, in which some of NPR’s funniest and most interesting hosts chat about movies, television, video games, music and books, with new episodes launched every day.
For true crime lovers, there’s an abundance of options, like the award-winning Serial that captivated millions of listeners with its in-depth investigations of crimes and trials with questionable outcomes.
Multimedia Storytelling
Some of the most interesting modern content often flies under the radar, ignored by those who aren’t sure where to look for it.
The New York Times, for example, has consistently produced some of the most groundbreaking multimedia journalism available anywhere. If you haven’t seen the incredible Snowfall, the newspaper’s Pulitzer Prize-winning project about a disastrous avalanche, you’re missing out on what’s now considered the benchmark for digital storytelling.
Other great examples of outside-the-box storytelling include Netflix’s interactive film “Bandersnatch” and the documentary “Bear 71,” which tracks a single grizzly bear to illustrate the problems facing these majestic creatures.
Speak With A Guru
If you don’t feel particularly religious, you’re not alone. The decline of mainstream faith has been well documented at this point. As one example, those attending church in the United States became the minority for the first time ever in 2021.
Yet forms of spirituality outside mainstream faiths continue to grow in influence, as individuals or families seek out new ways to explore their connection to the world and a sense of the divine.
Part of this trend is evident in the rise of yoga, meditation and anything involving the word “wellness.” Modern spiritual teachers often take a conversational approach to teaching spirituality, rather than the prolonged speeches of old-school religion.
Examples of such teachers include Isaac Shapiro, an author who often leads in-person and virtual retreats, as well as John de Ruiter, another author and spiritual teacher who offers intimate dialogues several days a week.
There’s just no reason to be bored these days. If you’re feeling like you need something new to stimulate the brain, you’ve got plenty of options.
