Oh yeah, I’ve had to learn a few new things as well. Yeah, it’s not been easy, but when certain things in your life have been going only in a particular direction, it’s usually a good idea to take a step back and reconsider some of the things you’re doing. Because, as they say, insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. This is why I’m being intentional about the things I wish to change.
Sometimes, it’s not really about learning a new skill or reading a new book. Many times, we say that no knowledge is a waste, but there are periods when I don’t even vibe with that saying at all. Because any knowledge that you don’t make use of has to be a waste, right? What’s the point of learning a skill or reading a book if you won’t do the things the book asks you to, or if you won’t actually use the skill to make your life better?
Well, for me, I’ve always been quite proactive. When I learn a skill, I follow through with it. I didn’t learn writing, but that led me to other various skills that I learned during the course of my writing career. I became a certified Book Project Consultant and also a Professional Editor. Later on, I went on to learn scriptwriting (both for movies and for YouTube channels), and to date, I’m using these skills.
And last year, I started learning Data Analysis, and so far, it has been great. I might not be a master yet, but I’m definitely better at studying numbers and noticing the patterns that they create. Datasets now make so much more sense to me, and the more I work with them, the easier it is to get comfortable with them. Back when I started, it was so difficult for me. I was always confused when I saw dirty datasets, and I didn’t even know how to proceed. But not anymore. All that is handled now. I’m a professional.
So, what am I learning now? I guess my answer is that I’m neither learning nor unlearning, I’m currently relearning. Growing up, one of the things I lost to my childhood and teenage years was my love for reading. Not just novels, but motivational and religious books as well. I still read, but it’s mostly once in a while, and even then, it has to be by a really famous person. Back in the day, I used to give every book a chance. I believed that if you thought it was good enough to publish, I had to assume it would be good enough to read.
But going to school changed all that for me, and since then, it’s been hard finding time to read. However, this year, I decided to take up that habit once again. Last year, I was using ebooks, chiefly because of their audio features, but that’s not as immersive as I’d like. I want to curl up on my couch with a physical book and read in the quiet of my home. I miss those days, and I want to bring them back.
This used to be a way of life, adulthood took it from me. But I’m taking it back. I’m going back to reading regularly. And for now, my target is one book per month. Since the year started, I’ve only been able to finish one, but by making this post, I’m putting it out there and making it final.
I’m going back to how it used to be!
