An Obsession with History

Growing up, I didn’t think I cared much for “history.” In fact, when I was young I might have even said that I hated the subject of history.

However, looking back now, I can see that I had a deep love for history, I just liked learning about it in my own ways.

I didn’t like the idea of “history class.” A group of kids all sitting in a room being lectured about the same piece of history that they may or may not be interested in.

I didn’t have this experience being homeschooled, but even my perception of how history was taught in schools influenced me to believe that I didn’t like the study of history.

When I was younger, you could often find me going to the library and checking out 8 books about the Titanic. Half of them I wouldn’t read, but I became obsessed with the event and had to know every detail I possibly could.

I loved history centered around important events and people. Things like assassinations, wars, world records, presidents, etc. That being said, almost anything that was based on a true story I could get into, I just needed to hear about it in the right context with the interest being of my own free will, not because someone else said it was important.

If I ever watch a movie or read an article on a real event, I usually develop a mini obsession with it. Much easier now that I have the access to research in the palm of my hand instead of having to go to the library.

If you looked at my phone 10 minutes after reading a book like Killing Kennedy or watching a movie like Gettysburg, you would see about 40 open tabs. All different articles about the times, people, and culture surrounding the event or person that I was interested in.

If someone had told me “go research Kennedy and write a paper on it,” I might do it, and I might even become interested in the subject, but it wouldn’t be the same love for it that I would have had if it had been of my own free will simply because my mind was so curious.

I love learning about people who have gone before. There’s nothing new under the sun, so why don’t we learn from what has already happened? Also, who doesn’t like a good story?

I have an obsession with history, but even as a homeschool dropout was so influenced by the public school method of teaching it that I thought I hated it.

Something has to change. Start giving children the opportunity to learn about what fascinates them. Guide them, yes. When they go off track, of course, help steer them back. But let them pursue their own interests and you’ll be amazed at how they’ll excel and find things that interest them.

WARNING: Extremely difficult to implement after toddler years. Must start young.