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Self-improvement is all about finding ways to take the aspects of our lives to a higher level. The entertainment our fandoms bring might not fit into our idea of the hard work involved with self-improvement. However, like many hobbies, our fandoms can offer limitless resources and ways to improve your skills, habits, and quality of life. This article will look at resources that are often associated with fandoms like podcasts, YouTube, Netflix, and even Tik Tok that not only bring entertainment but also elevate your quality of life.
These resources can help incorporate fandoms into learning a new language, getting into fitness, creating a side hustle, and discovering a variety of cultures.
Self-Improvement Podcasts
The era of podcasts is in full swing. With a selection for pretty much everyone out there, it’s no surprise there is a myriad of shows that help with self-improvement. The most obvious are self-help podcasts specifically geared towards finding ways to help your personal growth. But you can branch out from there and find podcasts that you can use cerebrally and practically.
From learning languages to learning more about your sport, to hearing inspirational stories about people you can relate to, podcasts are an inexhaustible resource to help improve your life and better enjoy your fandom.
Inspiration
At times, it can be hard to know what exactly we need to do to improve our situation. Podcasts like Eventual Millionaire and The Moth tell stories and conduct interviews that inspire and reframe our outlook. Learning from the successes and mistakes of others gives us more than just knowledge but also the wisdom of other people’s experiences. Finding podcasts that inspire us to live our best lives is one of the best ways to improve ourselves without having to spend extra time or money.
Language Podcasts
Who doesn’t want to be able to watch your favorite foreign films and shows in their original language? Even with subtitles or dubs, the nuances of a script are best heard in the language it is presented in.
Language learning programs like DuoLingo and Coffee Break Languages have podcasts that help further your language education. These products can be especially helpful for auditory learners and those looking to improve their inflection and conversational tone. Since many of us listen to podcasts while we are working on more menial tasks like chores, the time you spend doubles in productivity. As Coffee Break French often reiterates, they want to help you “turn your downtime into your do time.”
Sports And Hobbies
Top-level athletes utilize this wonderful resource of podcasts creating shows like The White Tiger Podcast and Ali On The Run that not only give us great tips but give us insights into the lives of elite competitors. Their stories put into perspective how much work and dedication they put into their passions. As amateur athletes, it is easy to lose motivation when business and other “important” things get in the way. These podcasts recenter our mindsets and set our sights on what we want to become.
But athletes aren’t the only professionals sharing their stories. Many hobbies and side gigs also have podcasts geared towards making us better at what we love to do. If you’re looking to build a side hustle, try Smart Passive Income with Pat Flynn or The Side Hustle Show to boost your business. Do you just want to focus on honing your hobbies? Shows like The Cynical Developer and 99% Invisible focus on things like design, computer programming, and more. Whatever hobbies pique your interest, there is likely a podcast out there that can help bolster your knowledge and open your eyes to new possibilities.
Self-Improvement YouTube
When YouTube was founded in 2005, it was used as a dating video site and then an amateur videographer showcase. It now hosts everything from clips shot on smartphones to professional content to money-making channels. You can find guides, tutorials, and camaraderie for your goals. Using YouTube for self-improvement is a free and low-pressure way to help you reach your goals.
Fitness
Many self-improvement goals revolve around fitness and improving your relationship with your body. There is a multitude of channels that can guide you through a full-length workout, show you how to properly perform exercises, or even review celebrity and influencer workouts.
If you are looking to get into yoga or pilates, there is a channel and instructor for whatever type of flow you are looking for. Sean Vigue has energy-filled power yoga flows and pilates workouts that are low impact but still engaging. Or you can check out Michele Khare for fitness transformations and ideas on how to be confident when trying new things. Best of all, you can keep up with your fitness journey for free from your own home or any place with WiFi.
Languages
Learning a new language connects us with others around the world and brings a new perspective to our lives. Just like podcasts, YouTube has channels to help connect the world through language learning. You can learn at your own pace with language learning channels like Fun Fun Elmo or Learn German Pod 101 and figure out what teaching styles work best for you.
If you want more practice, go for some full immersion with videos from Francais Immersion or others in your target language. Watching videos that use simpler and slower conversations help you improve both your comprehension and vocabulary in a fun way.
Crafts
Learning how to create your own scarves, mittens, and stuffed animals is a gratifying experience. However, sometimes you get stuck on a pattern instruction or just need someone to show you how to turn out a finished product.
YouTube tutorials let you watch and learn alongside skilled workers and if you miss a step, a replay is easily at your fingertips. Learn to crochet with Craft And Crochet, origami with Jo Nakashima, or painting with Angela Anderson. Through a bevy of YouTube channels dedicated to spreading the joy of crafting, you can create pretty much anything you want!
Social Media And Self-Improvement
Many influencers and social media leaders have accounts that showcase the good parts of their lives. Though life isn’t all photo shoots and perfect smoothie bowls, social media accounts can serve as an inspiration to achieve your own goals. Finding accounts that are honest about the hard work it takes to work on self-improvement can be an asset to your journey.
Tik Tok accounts like LexieHerod and Mrs. Space Cadet not only encourage body positivity but also offer tips on how to improve your fitness. Other accounts on the app focus on improving your relationship and understanding of food. There are so many “sides” to Tik Tok that you can find people on the same journey as you. On Instagram, fitness coaches like Penny Barnshaw and Tatiana Lampa offer workout motivation and technique tips to take your workouts to the next level.
One of the best ways to actually achieve your goals is to find people to keep you accountable. And who better to keep you on track than a multitude of followers? Being able to check-in and post your own journey is a great way to document your progress. Whether you are filming training runs leading up to a half marathon, photos of your newest bake, or even videos of you struggling to find the motivation to keep at it, people love to feel like they are a part of your life. You might even inspire the next person to start their journey of self-improvement!
Streaming
Netflix and Hulu are best known for their binge-watching potential. However, you can also use them to reach your self-improvement goals. Spending hours glued to your television screen is better justified if your mind is being stimulated.
Even docu-dramas like The Crown give us better insight into why things are the way they are today. While the content in these shows might need to be researched to scour out “creative interpretation,” they are still a way to open our eyes to fascinating subjects.
Languages
As you progress in your target languages, watching shows and movies in the language is a rewarding experience. If you’re just looking for some help improving your inflection and conversational understanding, watching kids shows set in a different language with English subtitles is a great way to improve.
When your level improves, there are many foreign comedies and movies to explore that take your understanding of slang and dialect to a whole new tier. You might even find your next show obsession or favorite movie through the new world of content in other languages.
Education
Are you looking to expand your knowledge and understanding of the world? Watching documentaries and historical shows are entertaining and eye-opening. Biographical films like What Happened, Miss Simone? and Amy give insight into the lives of these historical figures and the difficulties they face.
Diving into shows like Formula 1: Drive to Survive and 13th opens our eyes to industries and cultures that we hear about but might not truly understand. The creators of these works have a knack for finding the narrative in our everyday lives and captivating us with their stories. If nothing else, these shows and films help us appreciate our role in history and recognize that there are so many things near us worth educating ourselves about.
Self-Improvement For Everyone
With so many options and resources out there for your self-improvement journey, it can become overwhelming. However, self-improvement is more than just about getting better at certain skills. Improving yourself does not necessarily mean moving forward. Sometimes the best thing is to pause and take stock of where you’re at so you can move in the direction you want to go.
While we will always have something to learn, the multitude of self-improvement options can move us towards our best selves. So whether you’re trying to improve your health, skills, hobbies, or just want to find a way to relax, these resources boost and enhance your journey.