One book that I recommend a lot is The Artist’s Way. Take a look, see if it feels right for you. The activities are designed to encourage creativity and sparks of all kinds.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have you thought about teaching? Maybe a class or two as an adjunct? It might reignite that spark you felt when you were eager to acquire knowledge and expertise

How easy is it to get such a job?

Fairly easy because they pay terribly and have a lot of turnover.

I don’t know but would imagine getting one at a community college wouldn’t be too hard?

Commit to read one book a month.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have you thought about teaching? Maybe a class or two as an adjunct? It might reignite that spark you felt when you were eager to acquire knowledge and expertise

How easy is it to get such a job?

Fairly easy because they pay terribly and have a lot of turnover.

Anonymous wrote:Have you thought about teaching? Maybe a class or two as an adjunct? It might reignite that spark you felt when you were eager to acquire knowledge and expertise

How easy is it to get such a job?

Anonymous wrote:^ For example, I began to spend more time outside, watching birds. Something I never did before.

Prompted me to later read up about the different species lives, habits, etc. Now I know more about them it is interesting to go outside and see what they are up to, and understand their behaviors.

That's what developing a curiosity is about.

I don’t know too many high functioning adults who watch TV during the daytime.

Birdwatching doesn’t yield much at night.

Have you thought about teaching? Maybe a class or two as an adjunct? It might reignite that spark you felt when you were eager to acquire knowledge and expertise

Are any of the curiosity apps good in helping to kickstart things?

^ For example, I began to spend more time outside, watching birds. Something I never did before.

Prompted me to later read up about the different species lives, habits, etc. Now I know more about them it is interesting to go outside and see what they are up to, and understand their behaviors.

That's what developing a curiosity is about.

Anonymous wrote:I disagree that it is “easy” to turn off your Tv if you live alive. Some of us don’t like silence.

And some shows actually are interesting/entertaining. (But I agree that around here, it is not going to go well at a dinner party to bring up “Love is Blind Sweden!” 😂)

That's the whole point in turning off the TV. Fill in that silence with other things - music, a book, learning an instrument, etc. Sit outside for awhile and listen to nature - birds, wind in in the trees. OP asked about getting her curiosity back, not filling her life with mindless background noise, so I think she is open to other options other than having the TV on all the time.

In the 21st Century, you will find that fewer and fewer people will have TV shows in common. It's far too fractured and there is so much content that many people will not have watched shows you have and thus, will have nothing to discuss.

Maybe it’s a midlife crisis where you’re not where you want to be anymore. Being in nature can restore the spirits, or what other things bring you joy?

I disagree that it is “easy” to turn off your Tv if you live alive. Some of us don’t like silence.

And some shows actually are interesting/entertaining. (But I agree that around here, it is not going to go well at a dinner party to bring up “Love is Blind Sweden!” 😂)

Travel does it for me. Everything is new and interesting. The food is special. I walk for miles and sleep better at night.

Of course, that takes money. Still trying to figure out if I can enjoy it alone though. I did when I was younger.

The first, and easiest, thing to do is commit to shutting off your TV.

If you don't have a constant stream of info/sights/distractions being fed to you by TV, you will find your curiosity may come back.

Then find things that will force you to get out and socialize with people. That can be joining a group, a club or even volunteering. Doing any of those things may spark your curiosity about people, places, ideas, etc.

I’m not depressed. I just used to be a far more curious person. I feel like that drive to learn about things is just not there. I’m not sure why.

Does anyone else feel this way? What has anyone done to ignite it?

I was at a dinner and the people around me were just so much more inquisitive and energized. Like they cared about knowing stuff or learning more stuff. I would have been happier sitting in front of the TV.

I’m 50, have a PhD in sociology, and absolutely remember being curious. I work, though not in my field. I am divorced and haven’t dated since and now I worry when I get back into the pool I will have nothing to talk about.

Please share ideas for rekindling that curiosity spark!