How I find interesting long-form content

Lately I've found myself drawn to long-form content. Detailed podcasts to listen to while I'm driving, in depth documentaries that I can settle down in front of, and of course books that I can lose myself in for long periods at a time. 

But with all the content that is out there it's difficult the media that I really want to engage with. So here are some ways that I've discovered interesting online and offline content to entertain and educate me.

Podcasts

I find searching for interesting podcasts very difficult. Search recommendations on the web are usually out of date, and the Spotify search function isn't very good if you are just browsing. 

Some ways to find new podcasts:

BBC Sounds has podcasts on a wide range of subjects, both as a one-off or a longer series.

Reddit is a really good place to look for podcasts and other media on a specific topic. Just use Reddit and Podcast as search terms, along with what you are after. Recommendations are usually accompanied by a description or review so you can see if it sounds interesting to you.

Social media is a great place to keep an eye on, I personally always prefer to listen to something that has been recommended. Sometimes a podcast that I'm listening to will introduce a guest with their own podcast, or a writer that I follow will offer a curated list. I have a Notes file on my phone where I jot down anything that sounds interesting to look up later.

Videos

I've found YouTube to be a really valuable source for interesting long-form content, as long as you can avoid being distracted by the shorts and clickbait titles. I look for older documentaries that have been shared, as these are often slower and more detailed in content. It helps to use search terms like 'full documentary' or 'full show' and I find that once I start watching a certain type of content then the algorithm will pull up related videos which are just what I'm after.

I also pop into the streaming services that we have and use the search function rather than just browsing the recommended content. iPlayer is really good, and of course free to licence holders in the UK. The BBC documentaries are always high quality and on a wide range of subjects. We have Netflix too, and I have a watchlist of interesting content lined up for when I'm in the mood.

Books

I rarely find myself browsing for books, I just somehow seem to acquire piles of them! But if I am desperate to find some new reading material here's where I look:

The library - this is my first port of call. Even in our tiny village library I can always find a book or two that I've heard of and want to read, and a pile of other books that have caught my eye.

Charity shops - especially those slightly out of the town centre with cheaper prices. I've found one in town that sells three books for £1 - you can't go wrong!

My Notes document called 'Books to buy' - these is where I add books that I've heard of, either recommendations from friends or family or that I've spotted on social media. I save up a batch to buy secondhand on World of Books.

In-depth articles

Many of the online news sources and newspapers have long form content, but it can be difficult to find among the shorter, newsier articles and is often behind a paywall. You can try:

BBC InDepth

The Guardian - The Long Read

Telegraph Long Reads (sometimes an account is needed to read)

Substack (some content is subscriber only)

Photo credit Roman Kraft via Unsplash

How do you find interesting content?

Why the analogue trend bothers me, and how I interpret it for myself

Recently I joined Substack, and I've found it a great place to discover long-form, intelligent content. Unfortunately, like most social media platforms it features an algorithmically curated feed, and once you show a slight interest in a topic you can quickly find yourself flooded with similar articles.

One day last week I was deluged by posts about the analogue trend. In case your social media feeds steer you in a different direction, the analogue trend is a way of living (embraced mainly by younger types than me) that prioritises physical media and time spent away from screens.

There is an urge to create aesthetic 'analogue bags' filled with prompts that encourage screen free hobbies - like books, knitting, pretty pens strapped to leather journals, watercolour tins and brushes. People are buying vintage MP3 players, digital cameras and alarm clocks. And of course there is a need to document all of this for social media, including the video of your 'analogue day' that has been filmed on the phone and edited on a laptop.

I can definitely see the attraction of an analogue way of living. But I don't like the consumer aspect with the need to buy more and more things in order to embrace the trend fully. And maybe this sounds hypocritical coming from a blogger, but I hate the need that people have to share everything online.

So here are some ways that I would like to interpret the analogue trend:

Listening to a complete album from start to finish, whether that's on vinyl or Spotify.

Limiting the the number of photos that I take, and printing them out to display on the walls or in scrapbooks.

Working on a jigsaw puzzle for long periods at a time.

Setting aside an amount of time to read, with the phone in another room.

Watching a long film or television programme without a second screen to hand.

Making an actual phone call, and giving all my attention to the person on the other end.

Meeting friends in person for a coffee, meal, drinks or just to hang out, and keeping phones out of sight. 

Having phone free spaces in the home, for example the study or garden.

Working on creative hobbies that use my hands, like journalling or painting.

And finally - trying to resist the urge to share every little thing on social media, or worse still, carry out activities for the sole purpose of sharing on social media!

Have you encountered the analogue trend?

Five excellent long-form Everest documentaries on YouTube

As I've mentioned before, recently I have become very interested in learning more about Mount Everest. I believe the modern term is 'deep dive', and I've been indulging myself with lots of buying and reading books, listening to podcasts and watching long documentary videos.

I've discovered that the amount of content on YouTube in particular can be quite overwhelming, and far too much of it is either shorts or clickbait videos that lack depth. A much better source of information are long-form documentaries, and luckily there are a wealth of excellent ones available to choose from. 

I'm going to share a few of my favourites, in what may well be part one of a series!

Everest 1998: IMAX (1998)

This film contains the first IMAX images from the summit. It makes it all look easy - if you want a behind the scenes description you can read No Shortcuts to the Top by Ed Viesturs which really goes into the practicalities of making the film! The film covers the preparations for the climb, the trek to the summit and the return to Base Camp. The footage is beautiful, even when watched on a small screen. The film crew was on the mountain during the 1996 disaster and so shares some of the stories from that day (see the next video to find out more about that event).

The 1996 Disaster - Storm over Everest (2008)

This is a documentary and dramatisation of the events of the 1996 climbing season, when a storm trapped climbers high up in the mountains, leading to eight deaths including two experienced expedition leaders. It features interviews with many of the climbers that were there that day, along with  reconstructions of events. It's not that deep in terms of insight, but it's a good introduction to what happened and introduces you to some of the key players and timelines that you can then go and research further.

Summit Fever (1996)

This is the second Everest film featuring Brian Blessed (the first is Galahad of Everest which is also available on YouTube) and his exuberant enthusiasm for reaching the summit of Everest. This is his third and final attempt, and even though (spoiler alert) he doesn't actually make it to the top himself the film is very entertaining to watch. This team was also on the mountain during the 1996 disaster, and so you can see some footage of that event. The making of this film is chronicled in the book The Other Side of Everest by Matt Dickenson, director.

A Deadly Ascent (2019)

In two parts, this is the story of the 2019 Everest season, when 11 people died. It focuses on the problems of overcrowding on the mountain, and the issues of inexperienced people attempting to climb. It features interviews with Sherpa guides, climbers, and those who lost loved ones. It's a critical look at how people can buy their way to a summit attempt, and the impossibility of trying to help when something goes wrong at high altitude.

The Wildest Dream - Mallory and Everest (2010)

In 1999, Conrad Anker discovered George Mallory's body on the slopes of Everest. It's unknown whether or not Mallory and his climbing partner Sandy Irvine reached the summit in 1924 before they died, and Anker attempts to prove that they could have made it. He returns with climber Leo Holding and they recreate parts of the climb, wearing clothing from Mallory's time and attempting the Second Step, the trickiest part of the climb, without using the ladder that has been in place for almost all other attempts via that route. There's a clever mirroring of the historical story of Mallory and Irvine with the modern ascent story, and a poignant dramatisation imagining what it could have looked like if they had made it to the top.

Do let me know if you've found any others that I should watch!

Ways that modern technology has impressed me recently

Sometimes I find myself completely taken aback at just how far technology has come on in the last few years. It's not all good of course (AI slop on social media I'm looking at you!), but here are some ways that technology has impressed me.

Helping me to re-read a short story that has stuck with me over the years

I had a memory of a short science fiction story that I read as a teenager and I wanted to identify it.

This was my prompt - I’m looking for a short science fiction story. It was written/set I think maybe 1950s or earlier. It is about a group of men, I think two come to visit a third. During their visit a mysterious gas cloud covers the earth and sends everyone to sleep for a day. The men wear gas masks and don’t fall asleep. They observe everyone else sleeping. Then the next morning everyone else wakes up and doesn’t realise that they have missed a day.

I had quite a few key details wrong (there are four men and a woman, they are in a sealed room with oxygen and not wearing gas masks, it was written in 1913, and they actually assume that everyone else is dead and not just sleeping which is a little more horrifying), but not only did ChatGPT find me the story (The Poison Belt by Arthur Conan Doyle) it also found me an online copy as it is in the public domain. I went over to Amazon, and was able to download a free copy for my Kindle to read straightaway.

Deciphering an inscription from a book

I bought an old book recently with some handwritten text in the front that had been crossed out. Being nosy, I wanted to know what it said! I took a photo and uploaded it to ChatGPT which suggested adjusting the colour contrasts. I discovered that the original text was a different colour to the crossed over text, and so I was able to upload the contrasted image to ChatGPT which isolated the original text for me and filled in the gaps. I was able to work out almost all of the text (it's nothing exciting, just a name and location!)

Checking maths homework

My daughter was recently doing some maths homework, solving a geometry problem. She had a diagram where she needed to find the angles, and she had annotated the original worksheet page quite heavily with her workings out and final answer. She showed me how she could take a photo of the page and uploaded it to ChatGPT asking it to check her answers. It was able to find the key information from the question and confirm that she was right (yes we did double check with our resident maths expert!) 

Finding a short YouTube video that I watched once

I had a memory of a poignant video that I saw once on YouTube and wanted to watch again. All I could remember was that it was animated, and was about a woman's life and the last time that anyone thought about her. I had searched over and over on YouTube and elsewhere and couldn't find it, but ChatGPT found it in seconds. 

Here it is, if I have piqued your interest!

But what has not impressed me?!

I was looking for some new wall art recently, and thought I'd quite like a nice poster of a local town or city. How about Brighton? Well, even if you've never visited Brighton I think that you would quickly realise that this interesting effort, almost certainly AI generated, is not an accurate depiction!

Have you found any ways in which technology has impressed you?

Things I've written about recently in my journal

Over the last year I allowed myself to get out of the habit of regular journalling. I'm not sure why exactly, but although I often thought of something that I would like to journal about, I couldn't encourage myself to pick up a pen and start writing.

But I have recently been inspired again, and here are some of the things that I've been writing about:

* I found a diagram in my daughter's Geography textbook which I found really interesting. It was very similar to this one on BBC Bitesize, and it explained how caves, arches, stacks and stumps are formed. I don't know why, but something about it really appealed to me, so I made a copy and stuck it in!

* We bought a new side table which matches some of our existing furniture, and so I glued in the page from the catalogue. It will remind me in the future which range it is, in case we want to add to it, and as I'm hoping to own the furniture for a good while yet I think it will be interesting to look back on.

* I wrote about a walk that I took on a sunny day over the weekend, and painted the background green to match the lovely green fields that I walked through.

* I documented a positive technology experience - using ChatGPT to find out the name and author of a science fiction short story that I remember enjoying years ago and then finding a free public domain copy on Amazon which I could download to my Kindle ("The Poison Belt" by Arthur Conan Doyle if you are interested).

* Before Christmas I bought some beautiful poinsettia plants which still look lovely, and I pressed some of the leaves. I then painted a page green and glued in the leaves, I love the papery texture. It didn't capture the true colours that well, but it's a reminder of how much I enjoyed the bright red leaves before they start to fade.

I also have a couple of other notebooks/journals that I update regularly. I have a Gardening Journal, and I've been making notes of how the garden is coming on this spring, things that I've planted and so on. I also have an Everest Journal, although it is slowly expanding into a more general Himalayan, mountaineering journal. This week I watched 14 Peaks: Nothing is Impossible and I've been making notes about the things that I found interesting.

Photo credit lilartsy via Unsplash

I'm so glad that I've picked up the habit again!

How to get longer lashes without extensions using a lash serum

This is a collaborative post

Long, full lashes can transform your entire look without mascara or extensions. Many people search for natural ways to grow their lashes, and lash serums offer a proven solution. Lash growth serums work by nourishing the lash follicles with ingredients like peptides, biotin, and plant extracts to promote longer, thicker lashes over time. These products started as a side effect from glaucoma eye drops, which patients noticed made their lashes grow fuller.

The right lash serum can deliver real results in just a few months. However, consistency matters more than anything else. Daily application allows the active ingredients to strengthen each lash from root to tip.

This guide covers everything needed to grow longer lashes naturally with a serum. Readers will learn how to choose the right product, apply it correctly, and support healthy lash growth. The process takes patience, but the results are worth the wait.

How to Get Longer Lashes Without Extensions Using a Lash Serum

Lash serums offer a practical way to boost natural lash length and fullness through daily application of specially formulated products. Success depends on selecting the right formula, applying it correctly, and understanding what ingredients work best and how long results take to appear.

Key Ingredients to Look For in Effective Serums

Peptides are amino acid chains that strengthen lashes and promote growth. A lash growth serum with peptides can help improve both length and thickness over time. These ingredients work by nourishing the hair follicles at the lash root.

Biotin, also called vitamin B7, supports hair health throughout the body. In lash serums, it helps prevent breakage and keeps lashes from falling out prematurely. Many effective serums combine biotin with other vitamins.

Panthenol, a form of vitamin B5, adds moisture and flexibility to lashes. This ingredient helps prevent dry, brittle lashes that break easily. It also adds shine and creates a healthier appearance.

Plant extracts like ginseng, green tea, and pumpkin seed provide antioxidants and nutrients. These natural ingredients support the overall health of lash follicles. However, they typically work more slowly than synthetic peptides or prostaglandins.

Hyaluronic acid hydrates both the lashes and the delicate skin around the eyes. This ingredient prevents dryness that can lead to lash breakage. It also helps other active ingredients penetrate more effectively.

Photo credit Luca Laconelli via Unsplash

Choosing the Right Lash Serum for Your Needs

Different serums work better for different people based on eye sensitivity and personal goals. Some formulas contain prostaglandins, which are effective but can cause side effects like eye irritation or darkened eyelids. Others rely on gentler ingredients like peptides and vitamins.

People with sensitive eyes should look for prostaglandin-free options. These formulas tend to use plant extracts and biotin instead. They work more slowly but carry fewer risks of irritation or discoloration.

The choice also depends on whether someone wears contact lenses or has had eye surgery recently. Oil-free serums are better for contact lens wearers because they won't interfere with lens fit. Anyone with eye conditions should talk to a doctor before starting any lash serum.

Budget matters too. Some serums cost significantly more than others, but price doesn't always reflect effectiveness. Reading reviews from verified users helps identify which products deliver real results.

Proper Application Techniques for Best Results

Clean lashes are necessary for serums to work properly. Makeup, oil, and debris block the serum from reaching the lash roots. People should remove all makeup and cleanse their face before application.

Most serums come with a thin brush similar to eyeliner. The correct method involves drawing a thin line along the upper lash line, right at the base of the lashes. The serum should go on the skin where lashes grow, not on the lashes themselves.

Less is more with lash serums. Using too much product won't speed up results and can lead to irritation. One small stroke per eye is typically enough. The serum should dry completely before applying other products.

Consistency matters more than anything else. Skipping days slows progress significantly. Most manufacturers recommend applying the serum once daily, usually at night. This schedule allows the product to work while someone sleeps without interference from makeup or other products.

Expected Timeline and Visible Results

Most people notice initial changes after three to four weeks of daily use. These early results often include less lash fallout and slightly healthier-looking lashes. Significant length improvements take longer to appear.

Visible length increases typically show up between six and eight weeks. The lashes go through natural growth cycles that can't be rushed. Each lash has a growth phase that lasts about 30 to 45 days, followed by a resting phase.

Maximum results usually appear after three months of consistent use. At this point, lashes have gone through a complete growth cycle while under the serum's influence. Some people see dramatic changes while others experience more modest improvements.

Results fade after someone stops using the serum. Lashes return to their natural state over the course of several weeks. This happens because new lashes grow in without the serum's support. Therefore, continued application maintains the improved appearance.

Photos taken throughout the process help track progress accurately. Changes happen gradually, making them hard to notice day by day. Comparing weekly photos provides a clearer picture of improvement and helps maintain motivation during the early weeks.

Supporting Your Lash Growth Journey

A lash serum works best as part of a complete routine that protects and nourishes natural lashes. Simple daily habits and smart choices make a real difference in how well lashes grow and respond to treatment.

Maintaining Lash Health With Daily Habits

Good lash care starts with gentle makeup removal every night. Oil-based cleansers break down mascara and liner without harsh rubbing that can pull out lashes. Pat the eye area dry instead of wiping, which reduces stress on delicate lash follicles.

Sleep plays a bigger role in lash health than most people realize. The body repairs and grows new cells during rest, which includes lash follicles. Try to get seven to eight hours each night for the best results.

Diet also affects lash strength and growth. Foods rich in biotin, vitamins E and C, and omega-3 fatty acids support healthy hair growth. Fish, nuts, eggs, and leafy greens provide these nutrients naturally.

Avoid rubbing eyes throughout the day. This habit can break lashes and irritate follicles, which slows down growth. People who wear contact lenses should be extra careful to handle them gently.

Avoiding Common Mistakes That Hinder Lash Growth

Many people use too much lash serum, which wastes product and can cause irritation. One thin stroke along the lash line is enough. More product does not speed up results.

Waterproof mascara requires strong removers that can damage lashes over time. Regular mascara comes off easier and puts less stress on lashes. Save waterproof formulas for special events only.

Old eye makeup can harbor bacteria that leads to infections and lash loss. Replace mascara every three months and eyeliner every six months. Infections stop lash growth and sometimes cause permanent damage to follicles.

Eyelash curlers can break lashes if used incorrectly. Always curl before applying mascara, never after. A gentle squeeze for a few seconds works better than repeated pumping motions.

Skipping days with lash serum slows progress significantly. Consistent application each night gives follicles the steady support they need to produce longer, thicker lashes.

Combining Lash Serum With Other Enhancing Methods

Castor oil can work alongside lash serum for extra moisture. Apply it to the tips of lashes in the morning, while the serum goes on the lash line at night. This approach keeps lashes hydrated without overload.

A clean spoolie brush helps distribute natural oils along the lashes each morning. This simple step conditions lashes and removes any dust or debris. Use gentle upward strokes from root to tip.

Lash-friendly mascara formulas contain peptides and vitamins that support growth throughout the day. Look for products with biotin, panthenol, or keratin in the ingredients list. These add a boost while you wear makeup.

Some people add a gentle lash massage to their routine. Light pressure along the lash line can improve blood flow to follicles. Use clean fingertips and small circular motions for about 30 seconds per eye.

Regular breaks from eye makeup give lashes time to recover and breathe. Going makeup-free one or two days per week reduces the daily stress of application and removal.

Conclusion

Lash serums offer a practical alternative to extensions for those who want longer, fuller lashes. These products work by nourishing the lash line and supporting natural growth over time. Results take patience, as most serums require consistent application for several weeks before visible changes appear. However, the benefits include healthier lashes without the maintenance or potential damage that extensions can cause. With the right serum and proper application, anyone can achieve their lash goals naturally.

Do you remember the books that you've read?

"I cannot remember the books I've read any more than the meals I have eaten; even so, they have made me."

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Regular readers of this blog will know that I consider myself to be a somewhat voracious reader. I always have a book or three on the go, and I read across different genres as well as a mix of fiction and non-fiction. I read quickly but carefully, I don't skip ahead, and with a well written book I enjoy savouring each word. Sometimes I even take notes, or at least write short impressions in my journal.

However I must admit that I am terrible at remembering a book once I've finished it. I usually find that there is something in each book I read that really sticks with me. It might be an event, a character, or even just a small piece of description. Apart from that, after a few weeks the plot is generally lost to me.

People will often ask me if I've read a particular book, and I know that I have, but I just can't remember what it was about. I can watch a film adaptation without worry because I have no idea how the story ends, let alone if it was faithful to the book. Many times I've gone to log a new book in Goodreads and discover that I've already read it, sometimes quite recently.

Photo credit Susan Q Yin via Unsplash

I have a particular problem with books that I read on Kindle. I think it's because both the tactile experience of a physical book and seeing the book cover around help it to fix in my mind. All Kindle books look exactly the same when you are reading them, whereas physical books vary in font size, type and page colour.

However once I've finished a book I do have a very strong impression of whether or not I liked it. If it's a physical book that I loved then it goes straight onto my bookshelf, and I can re-read with joy because even if I can't remember it I know that it is worth it. And some of my favourite books I have read many times, and I can remember them well.

When I really get into a book I literally can't put it down. That's why I love the portability of my Kindle - I can have it in one hand while I stir the dinner or brush my teeth. There is also always a new book that I want to read. So I view my experience of reading very much as something that I am enjoying in the moment. It doesn't matter too much if all I can remember about the book is that I loved reading it!

Can you remember all the books that you've read?