I’m a burned out academic leaving the field. I’d like to learn something new as a means of recovery and healing from the trauma (edit: narcissm, lack of human connection, intense funding cuts resulting in competition, less focus on students in recent years and instead on metrics). So, what should I learn (edit: that might help recovery from the aforementioned) What do you recommend and where could I start? I’m not looking for career advice, just crowdsourcing new things to learn and experience.
That’s it. That’s my ask.
Edit: Added some context.
If you want to get into political activism, I made a basic Marxist-Leninist study guide, might be fulfilling to try to contribute to a better world. This helps with the human connection bit, and also is compatible with having a full-time job in whatever you decide.
Learn how to ride a bike with no hands. Obviously, only do this is you have access to a relatively flat and safe path to practice.
Practice until you can go a mile or kilometer or whatever is your standard unit of measure for a decently long distance.
Your trauma’s listed all appear to be focused on others (except the narcisissm one but I’m assuming that’s about other people with it) and disappointment in them, or a lack of connection with them, or they are difficult or weary-ing. It is disconnecting you from yourself.
This might help you release your thoughts of the outside world, of analytical thinking, of everything. It requires focus on the physical body and absence of all other thought. Regain lost balance.
I am not a doctor or professional anything. Also I broke my elbow doing this. I don’t regret it. Your milage (or kilometerage?) may vary.
I can ride a bike with no hands! Great success! I spent the last 3 months trying and can navigate speed bumps, pot holes, and small curves now without hands. I have not, yet, broken anything but there’s still time ;-)
The narcissism is in others, yes, in this field.
Learn an instrument, or join a choir, or learn some craft like knitting or crocheting (find a craft circle/club for the social aspect and to have someone to learn from).
Something practical and physical. You’ll still be learning and using your brain, but very different pathways from academia.
If you’re burned out from being in academia why don’t you take some time off to connect with real life humans and volunteer somewhere? Find a local charity and offer to help out. Or volunteer at an old person’s home.
I hear what you’re saying … but earning a living may be a necessary priority after coming out of academia.
And it certainly is a weird time to set course for a new career.
Really depends on your field. Like if you were studying physics I wouldn’t recommend pure mathematics yk?
If you feel like travelling (leaving the country for quite some time), you could go into teaching abroad, or for much less money, be a scuba instructor. Apologies if it sounds like a half hearted answer but this is literally what me and friends do.
