UPDATED 03/09/2025
One thing you will always hear me say is that I’m not an expert at anything. There’s a reason for this. I believe we are always learning. Often I joke and call it ABL or Always Be Learning. But I feel like I’m alone in experiencing this.
In the United States, the majority of us are born, go to school for 12 to 18 years, and then we’re done with our education. Subsequently, we start a career, get married, and start a family. But I always wanted more.
Always Learning
I’ve known I’ve had ABL for years but didn’t really know what to call it. Like others, I went to school and then college. After I completed formal education, though, I found myself feeling unfulfilled! I was the child that was never without a book and always looking for another class to take. I didn’t care what the topic was, I just wanted to learn it. It’s one of the reasons I became a member of the Shelf Care Box. I get to keep reading and fuel my brain.
As I’ve gotten older, I started to think more about ABL. I have wondered why I have this need for education while others don’t. Why do I constantly crave learning and expand my mind? I can’t quite pin point a definite answer, but I’ve come up with a few theories.
- Some people like to shut their brain off. – Some individuals like to take a breath and just sit without having to think at the end of the day. They might zone out by watching TV, play a video game, or even better, take a nap.
- Constant learning can be overwhelming. – When you constantly have a book or a homework assignment to turn in, the brain doesn’t stop. For some, if it works too much it’s on overdrive. Constant effort put out can be overwhelming.
- Change is good. – A lot of people get excited about graduation day because they see it as a light at the end of the tunnel. It’s a time when school stops and there’s opportunity to focus on something that doesn’t involve a classroom.
These are just a few ideas, but they came to me after looking at myself and how I felt. I like when my brain is working. When it is, I feel like I’m charging the battery and powering the flashlight. Although that flashlight is working most of the day, it doesn’t get tired until late at night. Thanks to a routine, that flashlight knows when it’s going to power on in the morning and power down at night.
What to Do if You Have ABL
If you’re like me, always learning can be a benefit. Think of the books you’ll read or the topics you’ll have a chance to study that you didn’t get to in school! You’re the go-to friend because you know so much and networking with new people becomes a breeze. Your career opportunities can expand beyond your wildest dreams and you’ll even keep potential diseases at bay. All because you love to learn. So I say embrace ABL! And support those around you that love to learn.
