hello!
I don't really know if this is the right place - or site - to put this, but this site seems like a pretty friendly place as far as internet forums go, and I've been hoping for something like this to come along for a while now. if I shouldn't have posted this and there's a different place here or that you know of please let me know.
actual post: I have been casually into philosophy for pretty much my entire coherent life, but I've only started taking it seriously in the past eight or so months (I didn't really think it was actually A Thing to study philosophy until then). as I read academic philosophical literature, watch videos about philosophy, and continue to try and learn more about it, I find myself feeling inadequate and, well, dumb. not for of a lack of understanding or appreciation of the topics and concepts and questions, more because I can't seem to reliably retain a lot of the ideas I'm reading. when I'm watching lectures or observing interactions between people about philosophy, I retain the information better. I feel like I can't actually engage in dialogues - in my head or with other people (I really really want to have conversations with people about philosophy) - because I can't remember the things I've read. has anyone else had similar experiences? if so, how did you resolve your issue? advice welcome.
thank you very much, i hope you're doing ok ~