Marjorie Rhéaume stumbled upon a captivating video on her TikTok feed showcasing someone who had taken up self-assigned reading as a personal educational pursuit. Intrigued by the concept, Rhéaume, known as Cozy Marjorie on TikTok and YouTube, found her feed inundated with similar content reflecting her passion for learning.
The trend gained traction in June when a TikTok creator, Elizabeth Jean, outlined her practice of curating a monthly personal curriculum. This video has garnered over 70,000 views, with Elizabeth Jean exploring diverse topics from astrology to the evolution of modern epidemiology, inspiring viewers to contribute their own learning interests like soup recipes or dissecting TV series like Gossip Girl.
Subsequently, enthusiasts embraced this trend by customizing their personal curriculums to acquire new skills such as learning piano basics or mastering a new language. Some enthusiasts took it a step further by assigning themselves homework deadlines to maintain a sense of urgency and dedication to their studies.
For many, this trend marks a rejuvenation of the joy of learning post-academic education, combating the phenomenon known as “brain rot.” Coined Oxford’s Word of the Year in 2024, “brain rot” signifies the adverse cognitive effects of excessive consumption of low-quality online content, which has seen a significant increase in usage over the years.
As individuals navigate this trend, the intentional pursuit of personal interests and self-directed learning stands out as a means to foster happiness, mental well-being, and combat the mental fog induced by excessive screen time. By setting intentional goals and exploring intrinsic motivations, individuals like Marjorie Rhéaume delve into their passions, like studying the history of fibre arts, creating a structured curriculum to expand their knowledge and skills.
The trend’s popularity underscores a growing appetite for informal learning beyond traditional educational structures. Embracing autonomy in pursuing personal interests and motivations fosters a sense of fulfillment and growth, transcending the boundaries of conventional education towards a more self-directed and fulfilling learning journey.
