Help me become a better version of me

[wiltingflower]

The short version: What sort of things can I do to improve myself and become more educated/ cultured/ refined/ the best that I can be? Interested in all sorts of ideas!

The long version: I guess this is inspired by the recent threads about earning 100k though I don't want to necessarily earn that much, just become a better me.

I am mid twenties, have a BSc, doing a PGCE in Science (almost completed), have a teaching job offer which I'll start in July. I am lucky in that I'll be living at home with my parents.

I like reading and history, am a first aid volunteer but really need to get back into this as the PGCE took a lot of time away and used to volunteer with a children's youth group.

I feel like I'm not doing enough to make myself more educated/ cultured/ refined but hopefully I can do something about this in the summer and going forwards. Any ideas on what I can do?

Visit art galleries, go to exhibitions of new works. Attend artist's talks. Visit the theatre to see new plays regularly. Go to museums. Read the decent newspapers.

Listen to good podcasts and maybe take a class or join a club which centres on one of the arts.

What an odd question. Cultured and refined? What is this, the 1950s? Just do what you enjoy.

I like a good mix of cultured and refined science fiction, unrefined brash American comedy, and fairly refined advanced crochet.

Seriously though where are you getting this judgement from, life is too short!

I may be lurking for inspiration op .

I'd like suggest gaining a deeper knowledge of what you already like.
I find myself seeing fb posts of people who for example see niche bands or restore old cars and that's great for them but it doesn't interest me in the slightest. Passion for something is the best starting point.

Having said that, if you only look at what your current interests are, you could be missing out on loads.

Are there any talks /lectures from local societies? Theatre/ballet performances? Book clubs that'll probably have books you might not have chosen to read? Open days at local places of worship?

Are you feeling as if you "ought" to be doing this?

I started learning Norwegian for no real reason a few months ago. I stopped but might start it up again. I literally remember 2 words. Thanks for the inspiration!

Thank you for all these suggestions! They're fantastic and I'm going to make a summer bucket list with them. 😃🤗

I love the idea of visiting museums, art galleries and theatre/ballet!

Any suggestions for podcasts HennyPenny? I've been listening to a podcast series called Nightvale recently which I quite like (and recommend! 😍 It's science fiction so you might particularly enjoy this, Saurus 😃).

I could also start getting into science fiction and join a local book club. Hopefully there will be one in my area.

I used to love learning languages and fancied myself as a wannabe polyglot some time ago and completely forgot about this! I'd like to get back into refreshing my French and Spanish. You've inspired me as well, Splosh!

Saurus and Splosh- I kind of feel like I've stagnated somehow and need to become more mature. No one has said anything to me but I feel like I need more interests, know more, do more and get out more often.