As someone who has done “self-directed” learning, for my entire life (high school dropout, with a GED), I can certainly relate.

I like to learn new stuff, every day. I have found LLMs to be a godsend, here. Makes it much easier to just barge into unfamiliar territory.

Whenever I come across essays like this, I like to post The Gap, by Ira Glass[0]; one of the more encouraging short essays out there.

[0] https://vimeo.com/85040589