continuing learning as an adult
As I enter into my 30’s, it becomes abundantly clear who is curious, enthusiastic and still fascinated by life… and who is not.
Some people seem to stop learning after formal education ends. They settle into routines, consume the same content as everyone else, repeat the same conversations. Hold onto fixed opinions and beliefs.
Others remain vibrant—always exploring, connecting ideas, animated by new discoveries.
Here is a reminder for me on how to be in the latter group.
-
Write daily about anything and everything that fascinates you. Writing is just thought manipulation. Being able to string together thoughts into a coherent narrative or logical structure is an essential skill
-
Read daily. Read widely. Look for clues in everything. Consume ‘good art’ whether that’s literary fiction, longform essays, or films that challenge you.
-
Recall or summarise. Reading is not enough. You need to process it, either by summarising it in your own words or expanding on it. You can be even more systematic and put everything into a spaced repetition system like Anki 1
-
Talk about the topics you read about with other people. In conversation, you’re forced to explain topics using your own understanding. You can also be challenged if you decide to hold an opinion.
-
Use LLM’s. They are excellent for bouncing off ideas, asking for criticism, blind spots etc. 2 You have PhD level intelligence in your pocket.
-
Build something with what you learn. Code a project, write an essay, create art, cook an ambitious meal. Application reveals gaps in understanding that passive consumption never will.
Staying curious isn’t about having more time or being smarter.
It’s about having a practice.