the-joy-of-knowledge

[the-joy-of-knowledge]

You are one of my favourite blogs, I wish you were more active 😭💗

I wish I was more active too, but I am back!!!

[the-joy-of-knowledge]

You are in your 20s but you don't know what to do with your life...

If you are like me, in your 20s and still unsure of the path for you. I think you should only do two things.

Do incredibly well at what you are currently doing now. This could be school, work, volunteering, writing, dancing, tutoring. It does not really matter whether this is your dream role. It does not matter whether you ought to be in Paris but you're somewhere in Milwaukee teaching 5th graders. All that matters is that you are meticulously doing well. That means you doing 1-5% better than average. You should be meticulous such that even if you don't like what you do, you have on one hand learned a tangible skill and on the other hand you know that putting more effort will not make you fulfilled. This information is necessary to inform your next path. But don't be on the lookout for the next thing without doing this first.

So what if you are doing the first part but something else interests you? Well, I will say to use your leisure time to pursue that. Emphasis on your leisure time. If you are not disciplined enough (I am also guilty of this) then this will not work. You are just wasting your time, claiming you have a secondary interest. If you cannot devote time to pursuing this interest relentlessly then please find something else to do, in this case I will suggest you focus on your current hobby. I also want to make a clear distinction between interest and hobby. I think an interest is something you do not know enough about but attracts your curiosity. For me, it is content creation, tablescaping, design, filming, pastry etc. Hobbies are things that you just enjoy doing through inspiration, instruction, or inclination. I enjoy reading first because my parents made reading a leisure activity and I now find value in it as an adult. And a hobby can become an interest when you add a layer complexity that leads to curiosity. There is a difference between reading books for fun and then picking a genre and spending time going deep to understand the canonical work, the history, the authors, the themes, the historical contexts etc. This is different from simply reading. So, my suggestion is in two folds:

a. Find an interest that is at the intersection of your curiosity, fantasy, and capabilities. I say fantasy because we do have this cherubic desires that stem from our childhood that are still waiting to be unleashed. For me, I had an obsession for glossy magazines. So, the big question is what can I do and still relish in that fantasy today? Let the fantasy get you started, let your capability keep your steady, and let your curiosity take you further. Writing is also an interest of mine that I stopped and it took a toll on me because I failed to honor that part of me that appreciated authors who just expressed themselves in ways that honored my sensibilities. But why did I stop? I had a capability problem, I felt I wasn't good enough and it is a good feeling to have because it signals that I should improve (expand my vocabulary, read more, and write more). Now that I am back, I wonder why I ever stopped. Writing is riveting. b. Expand your hobby until it takes a new form. Whatever your hobby is whether big or small I suggest your double down on it until you get to a different horizon. I enjoy reading like I shared before but I have realized I enjoy reading about women parvenus in history, historical women, the sociology of class, how fashion shapes our identity etc. It is so fun to me. I can read these themes without realizing the passage of time. While this may not be a hobby (I love to hyperfixate on beautifully designed table). I have designed some myself but I have not consistently put effort to enough information on whether to pursue it or not. So, I will classify it as an interest.

My goal with this blog is to find myself. Maybe one day, I share bits about the books I am reading. Maybe I could design a mini magazine. Maybe I will one day host an event with beautiful tablescape. Maybe I will go all in into baking. But for now I will follow my own advice: Do meticulously well in my day job, and unrelentlessly pursue my fantasy through intentional effort during my leisure time. I will be back to share my journey with you.

XOXO

[the-joy-of-knowledge]

Focus on effort, not outcome...

I am guilty of pursuing an outcome, setting a daunting goal for my future self only to then become a victim of procrastination, paralysis, and passivity.

All these can be prevented if we focus on the putting effort first, let your effort determine your outcome. Let your effort determine your goal. Let your effort determine your level of ambition. It's the result of your effort that will determine your level of pursuit, what to pursue, and when to pursue such endeavor. The truth is, if you are yet to know the right path to follow, then you are not putting enough effort in your current task or in your interest. Effort will tell you what to avoid and what to persistently pursue.

Focus on the effort and then you will attract the outcome.

[the-joy-of-knowledge]

Saying Yes!

These are things to say yes to at least once even when your are not 100% sure if the outcome.

1. Saying yes to an opportunity.

2. Saying yes to play

3. Saying yes to a new friendship

4. Saying yes to a promotion

5. Saying yes to a challenge

[the-joy-of-knowledge]

How to enjoy reading

Start withs small books that interest you

Read Aesop tales, there are free on the internet, it will increase your interest.

Read with a blank paper and create a map that connects any idea that you find interesting

Join a book club, it will give you a sense of community

[the-joy-of-knowledge]

New words I am adding to my vocabulary bank

Misanthrope — cynic, recluse

Nebulous — vague, unclear

Panache — flamboyance, confidence

Parochial —narrow minded, small minded

Obsequious — unctuous, subservient, sycophantic

Protean — changeable, kaleidoscopic

Prolixity — long winded, verbose, tediously worded

[the-joy-of-knowledge]

3 Substack articles I read over the weekend to get out of a rut

Reading is an act of self-care.

Why we get in our own way (The neuroscience of self sabotage)

2. How to start creating than consuming

3. Don't deceive yourself

[the-joy-of-knowledge]

How to expand your vocabulary (in an enjoyable way).

Self-Awareness

If you find yourself struggling to find the appropriate words to express yourself ,then you need to learn more words. If you are reading this article or you find the title interesting, then you are closer than you thought. You are simply self aware. Self awareness is the first step to muster the courage to pursue the art of language and communication. It dawned on me that I was verbally malnourished when I could barely find the words to describe the character I read in a novel. "So what was he like?" My curious friends will ask and all I could say was "he had a troubled childhood and it was evident in his lack of self-control." The sound of that description even troubled me. I knew there was more to his character, but I restricted by my literary scarcity. I still struggle with this but I am making daily efforts to improve. This article will be prescriptive and descriptive.

Execution

Read books, I mean read actively. I read books and I atke pride in it but I am a severely passive reader. I barely engage with the story, the character, or the author's attempt to challenge my prejudice or affinity for the character. My reading goal was to read as many books as possible, quantity over quality. By quality, I mean quality of my reading, not the books per se. Now, I read differently (and I only started this a month ago), I read prudently, making stops anytime I encounter an unfamiliar word. I include that in my vocabulary list on my Notes app. after about 10 words or so. I immediately find each words synonyms, two per word; one easy, one difficult. For example, Decrepit (derelict, neglected).

Use Chat GPT to create sentences for you in different context and practice with that.

3. Find ways to include your new learned words in your own way. If you work a 9-5, it may be helpful to customize your prompt to business/professional context, to be more applicable to you. But most importantly, create your own sentence structure. If you have a meeting, prep for it by using the words your learned, take notes as a guide to help you effectively convey your ideas. I learned "impetuously" recently and during a meeting with my manager she asked me to access myself based on my strength and weaknesses. I responded with "I tend to impetuously accept projects without understanding the deliverables and I end up being overwhelmed with the expectations." My point it make sure you use the context of your everyday life. If you are a humanities major, you might approach this differently.

4. Make it enjoyable. Think of each new word as a specific dollar amount. Then create a "verbal bank," the more words your learn the richer you become. Ecah word for me is valued at $50. I earn $25 extra if I can use it effectively in a conversation. It you learn 10 new words a week, you have made yourself $500. Deposit that into your verbal bank!

5. Record yourself saying this words. Try to actively recall them but through a conversation. Do 1-minute tests. Record yourself describing your day, giving a presentation etc Notice with words flow naturally, if you like go back to your vocabulary list and test yourself. by creating sentences.

6. Expand your reading. Well, I did say to read books and I would suggest to go beyond. Read articles (very well written ones) and when not reading, actively listen to podcasts and pay attention to how the host convey their ideas. You would notice that good writing or speech is not necessarily peppered with difficult words. Good writers is simple to understand because the authors make diffiuclt topics or esoteric topics digestible.

Emulatate & Practise

You simply just have to emulate. Copy the style & syntax of people you admire or respect for their speech or writing. Keep practising. It is a choice to improve or not. Don't hold yourself back. I am practising by writing as well and I have barely scratched the surface and I am sure you can tell by my writing. It is not sophisticated but I do hope to improve and you can to.

Excite yourself

You will come to find yourself smiling when you read a text with words no longer foreign to you. Words that were once distant and strange will eventually become a part of you. That is the best feeling ever, it's exciting.

[the-joy-of-knowledge]

Bloom's Taxonomy: A 6 step guide to improve your learning

I am so excited to be back!!! I hope you all enjoy this because it has been helpful in my self-development journey.

Remember: When reading a paragraph, a chapter or even a book. It is important to know why you are reading it and if you were assigned this reading, you need to know what is expected of you. With his in mind, endeavor to read, retain and recall the information. This looks like take a pauses to recall what you have learned. You will not remember exactly what you read but you will notice some gaps, so back to you reading and figure what the missing parts.

Understand: Try to make meaning of what you have remembered. Explain it to yourself, write it in simpler terms, ask yourself questions on this. if you memorized the definition of photosynthesis as "the process by which plants and certain bacteria use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to create oxygen and sugar (glucose). Try to describe this definition to a sibling or someone who has no idea what it means. if possible watch a video that visually describes the process. Understanding goes beyond regurgitating. Because you can only begin to apply what you have learned only when you understand. It is also at this point that you will encounter difficulties especially if the subject is dense and complicated. Use the resources at your disposal and ask questions.

Apply: Use what you know already about the subject in this new context. Back to my photosynthesis example, what do you already know already and pose that as a question. Does photosynthesis have anything to do with the color of leaves? If it needs sunshine, then what happens when there is barely any sun? Let's try this for a subject as esoteric as physics. "Electromagnetism is the physical interaction among electric charges, magnetic moments, and electromagnetic fields." I do not know enough about electromagnetism but I know that Tesla is an electric car. Wouldn't it be fun to quickly google whether electromagnetism is applied to Tesla's engineering? This step is crucial because you are using a familiar object in an unfamiliar territory. (This is very simplified and studying physics isn't as easy as I portray it. This is only a guide )

Analyze: When analyzing, you want to explore the similarities and differences you have noticed in your readings. How do two seemingly different authors give a unique perspective to the subject you are reading? Can you categorize which information is relevant or not? Can you organize your thoughts and ideas into relevance parts, assuming you'd have to one day share what you have learned? When contradictions can you spot? What outliers exist in some the data you have analyzed, and can you come up with some hypothetical answers?

Evaluate: This is the time to look at two differing sources to support your argument. It is also the time to build the skill of critically reading a book or an article to figure out the author's main idea and evaluate their supporting arguments. Now, this sounds very academic but you can do this even when you are reading a novel and you want to get a grasp of life in that time period. Pay attention to the events, this will give you an idea of the cultural and political climate of that time period. You further may your own judgement. For instance "I think character A in book X was married off as a 14 year old because mother's were accustomed to get the their daughter ready for marriage once the hit puberty in X country."

Create: This is the right time to use all you have learned to create something new. Perhaps a personal philosophy? An article explaining why you think ketchup is the best invention of the 19th century? By creating, you also go through the process of self evaluation. You ask yourself "did I really learn enough?" Often times we get stuck trying to find the perfect thing to say, the right topic to discuss, the right response to give your professor, or the right book to right. Often times, the right creation is anything that you found interesting. it is you ability to frame that interest of yours that sets you apart and inevitably brings you both success and critiques. Keep creating in your own way.

Enjoy!!!

[the-joy-of-knowledge]

Thinking Fast & Slow

Understanding System 1 and System 2 Thinking.

In Daniel Kahneman's seminal work, "Thinking, Fast and Slow," he introduces the concept of two systems of thought: System 1 and System 2. These systems operate in different ways, shaping our decisions, behaviors, and habits.

System 1: The Fast Thinker

System 1 is our intuitive, automatic, and quick mode of thinking. It operates with little or no effort . This system is responsible for our immediate reactions and gut feelings.

Characteristics of System 1:

Automatic and Quick: Requires minimal effort.

Emotional: Driven by emotions and immediate impressions.

Unconscious: Operates without conscious awareness.

Fast: Reacts instantly to stimuli.

Examples of System 1 Behaviors:

Binge Eating: Grabbing a bag of chips and consuming it mindlessly while watching TV.

Impulsive Shopping: Buying items on impulse because they are on sale or displayed attractively.

Driving on a Familiar Route: Navigating through known streets without consciously thinking about each turn.

Reacting to a Sudden Noise: Jumping in response to a loud sound.

System 2: The Slow Thinker

System 2 is our analytical, deliberate, and effortful mode of thinking. This system is responsible for making more deliberate choices and reflecting on complex issues.

Characteristics of System 2:

Effortful and Deliberate: Requires mental effort and attention.

Rational: Driven by logic and reasoning.

Conscious: Operates with full awareness.

Slow: Takes time to process information.

Examples of System 2 Behaviors:

Intentional Eating: Planning meals ahead of time to ensure a balanced diet.

Careful Budgeting: Analyzing finances and creating a budget to manage spending.

Learning a New Skill: Dedicating time and effort to practice and improve.

Solving Complex Problems: Taking time to think through a difficult work-related issue or a puzzle.

How System 1 and System 2 Affect Our Habits

Our habits are largely influenced by the interplay between these two systems. System 1 often governs habits formed through repeated behaviors and routines, while System 2 comes into play when we try to change or form new, deliberate habits.

System 1 Habits:

Unhealthy Eating: Reaching for comfort food when stressed, driven by emotional responses.

Procrastination: Putting off tasks in favor of immediate, less demanding activities.

Mindless Browsing: Scrolling through social media without a specific purpose.

System 2 Habits:

Regular Exercise: Planning and adhering to a workout schedule.

Mindful Meditation: Setting aside time for mindfulness practices.

Continuous Learning: Reading books or taking courses to gain new knowledge and skills.

Practical Applications

I have realized that for me to form a new habit, I have to constantly fight against System 1 behavior (checking my phone first thing in the morning, impulsive eating etc). By fighting against it, I mean reminding myself of my intentions, taking time to ask myself why I really need another brownie. It is difficult at first but understanding the differences between System 1 and System 2 can help us make better decisions and develop healthier habits. For example, recognizing that binge eating is a System 1 behavior can lead us to implement System 2 strategies, such as meal planning and mindful eating, to counteract it.

Tips to Engage System 2:

Pause and Reflect: Before making decisions, take a moment to consider the consequences.

Create Routines: Establish structured routines that require conscious effort initially but can eventually become automatic.

Set Clear Goals: Define specific, achievable goals to guide deliberate actions.

Practice Self-Control: Develop self-discipline through regular practice and reinforcement.

By harnessing the power of System 2 thinking, we can override the automatic responses of System 1, leading to more intentional and beneficial habits.

[the-joy-of-knowledge]

5 articles that will awaken the creative giant in you

Here are articles I have read that will alter your thoughts and perception of life

The Daily Routines of Famous Creative People

Kurt Vonnegut Urges Young People to Make Art and “Make Your Soul Grow”

Steve Jobs on Creativity

The Key to Creativity

Warren Berger’s Three-Part Method for More Creativity

[the-joy-of-knowledge]

5 articles that will make you a better reader

I have a written a lot on the importance of reading and why it is necessary for us all to develop the habit of reading not for any extrinsic reward but for fulfillment, satisfaction, and personal development

Four Levels of Reading by Mortimer Adler

How to Choose Your Next Book

The Feynman Technique

Meditation on Reading

Just Twenty-Five Pages a Day

Read more!

[the-joy-of-knowledge]

Ladies, use your discretion!

My most recent post generated mixed reviews. Some loved it some loathed it. Whichever category you fall into my advice is for you to use your discretion.

Here are some questions to to ask yourself when scrolling on social media

Why does this appeal to me?

Why does it trigger me?

Are these facts or opinions?

Why did the author put a caveat?

Who could be the intended audience?

It is appalling to me that people will take opinions based on the books personal experiences or observation and simply criticize it because it does it not appeal to them. Are you the only person on the internet? Why do you take yourself so seriously? Why should everything on the internet fit your sentiments?

It is fair to express your opinions, but what is your argument? What is your main point? You simply can't say "this is barbaric!" add more depth to it. You could say "the post seems to dismiss the importance of friendship" doesn't that sound more educated and more conversational?

I also expected that if you have used the internet for a while you should know that you only take what you need and leave the rest. No one is an authority on here especially if they are not writing in the capacity of their profession.

If you loved the post, love it with discernment. You may not apply all the advice I write here to your life because you know yourself best.

Do not put me on a pedestal. I am not your coach, doctor, lawyer, pastor so I do not owe you an obligation neither do you owe. I am simply a girl who just shares her thoughts based on her observations. Read my posts with discretion!!!

[the-joy-of-knowledge]

I rarely say this and hate ti be cliche, but I love your blog and your love for knowledge. 🤩❤️🎉

Thank you, I really appreciate you.

[the-joy-of-knowledge]

Southern gothic literature?! Heck yeah! What books are you reading?

Haha, I have seen a kindred spirit! I am reading the biography of Jackie Kennedy, Candide by Voltaire, and The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway.

[the-joy-of-knowledge]

Hi Ada!

I have never experienced a blog that pulled me in as immediately as yours. I’m an INFJ personality type and looking at your writing reminds me of my own. I have the same books you talk about and I love the classy, intelligent, and kind atmosphere you’ve created. Your advice is also very useful.

Do you have a book club perhaps where we can connect and discuss ideas about the world?

Kindest,

Lara

Hi Lara,

I am happy to hear this. I would love to one day have a bookclub. I just need to find a group of enthusiastic readers like you who would like to join. Do you know of the salons that became popular during the 17th and 18th century across Europe? It served as a hub where people could share ideas on literature, art, music, philosophy. It could be so fun to have something like that someday. But I will keep you in mind when I start one.

Best,

Ada

[the-joy-of-knowledge]

Hi! As a fellow INTJ-T, I wanted to appreciate the realistic, practical and well- thought out way you structure your advice, tips and ideas. Thank you for the work you do. I recently stumbled upon your blog, and to say I'm impressed would be an understatement. Keep up the great work!!

Thank you and thank you! I really appreciate you taking time to read and share your thoughts. It means so much to me!