It's difficult being a paranormal investigator and not being able to actually go out and investigate! As world events are forcing many of us to lock down, stay-at-home, and even quarantine ourselves until further notice, how do we paranormal enthusiasts, researchers, and investigators get our spooky fix? Here are just a few suggestions for activities you can try during these trying times.
Part 1: EDUCATE YOURSELF
1. Read Books: I read a ton of paranormal nonfiction, and always have quite the TBR pile waiting for me to find the time to get to it. You've probably got some books at home you've been meaning to read, or re-read, and now is the perfect time to do so. These books can focus more on the academic and technical side of paranormal research, or you can simply have fun with a collection of local ghost stories!
If your bookshelves are bare, don't worry; you still have plenty of options. As of this writing, many retailers, including Amazon and The West Virginia Book Company are still shipping books. If you have a Kindle or the Kindle app on any of your devices, you can download e-books from Amazon and other locations, sometimes for FREE. Project Gutenberg has some really interesting free titles from the late 1800's and early 1900's (as does Amazon) and can easily be read online as well as downloaded. Also check with your local library system; many are offering a variety of online services, including access to journals and databases, and of course, checking out ebooks. If you're looking for suggestions on new reading material, you can always check out Theresa's Book Reviews.
2. Read Articles and Blogs: There are plenty of things besides books to read! Catch up on your favorite paranormal blogs (I'm a huge fan of The Southern Spirit Guide, Spook-Eats, and many others!). Or, read articles from your favorite paranormal websites about specific topics in the field that interest you. You can always check out my posts on Theresa's Haunted History Facebook for inspiration.
3. Watch Documentaries and/or Ghost Hunting Series: If you have any of the popular streaming services, you have a wealth of entertaining and interesting paranormal shows at your disposal. Small Town Monsters has released quite a bit of its collection on Amazon Prime and Ghost Adventures can be found on Hulu. YouTube also offers a great selection of FREE documentaries, network shows, lectures/conferences, and other video content to keep you occupied indefinitely. Look for my suggestions of what to watch on Facebook and in an upcoming blog!
4. Listen to Podcasts: I'd love to be able to share all the awesome podcasts that I listen to, but that'd take FOREVER. There are so many great podcasts covering the paranormal field and a simple internet search should help you discover something awesome to listen to in whatever paranormal topic you choose. I'm always posting suggestions on my Facebook page, but a few of my favorites to get you started: The Haunted Halls of WVU, Southern Ghost Stories, and LORE.
5. Take an Online Class: Ghost hunting is a multidisciplinary approach. Just about any topic you could have an interest in can be applied to paranormal research and investigation! And, just about any topic you could have an interest in, probably has an online class available for it! Sites such as Coursera and FutureLearn offer a variety of FREE college-level classes, or you could do a search for a topic and see what is available elsewhere in your price range. I personally gravitate towards classes in history and genealogy, but photography classes and classes in ANY of the sciences (including psychology) are also good picks. Plus, you can sometimes find classes devoted specifically to the paranormal and paranormal topics!
That'll do it for Part One of this multi-part series devoted to giving you some ideas on how to stay connected with the paranormal world even if you can't get out and investigate right now. Check back tomorrow for Part 2: Research and Investigating While NOT Investigating! Stay safe. Stay spooky. And if you have any suggestions for books, shows, channels, podcasts, websites or other resources, please comment down below!
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