Online Learning: Taking a Course Just for Fun

It is very easy for caregivers and busy adults to forget what it feels like to do something simply because it brings joy. We get so focused on appointments, medications, safety, and bills that our own curiosity and playfulness can start to feel like a luxury we no longer deserve.

You do deserve it. The short answer is yes: taking an online course just for fun can be deeply good for your mental health, your sense of identity, and even your caregiving. As long as you choose something that feels gentle, set small time boundaries, and give yourself permission to learn without pressure, online learning can become a quiet, nourishing space in a crowded life.

Why Taking a Course “Just for Fun” Matters More Than It Sounds

Before we get practical, it helps to name what many of us feel but rarely say out loud. When we think about starting a class only for enjoyment, a few worries often show up:

“I should be using my time for something more productive.”
“What if I start and cannot finish? I do not need another thing to feel guilty about.”
“My loved one needs me. Is it selfish to spend time on myself?”
“I have not taken a class in years. What if I cannot keep up?”

If you are feeling any of this, you are not alone. Many caregivers, older adults, and people living with illness or disability share the same quiet doubts.

Making space to learn just for joy is not selfish. It is part of caring for the person who does all the caring: you.

For people in caregiving and health journeys, fun learning can:

Benefit	How it can help in daily life
Reduces stress	Gives your mind a short break from worry and routine.
Protects identity	Reminds you that you are more than a caregiver, patient, or professional.
Builds confidence	Small wins in a course can restore a sense of “I can still learn new things.”
Improves mood	Play, creativity, and curiosity often ease sadness and fatigue.
Expands community	Discussion boards and live sessions connect you with people who share your interests.

We sometimes think self care has to be a bath or a walk. For some of us, self care is learning a new song on the guitar, trying a beginner watercolor class, or exploring history or astronomy with no exam at the end.

Letting Go of Guilt About Learning for Pleasure

For many caregivers and health-challenged adults, guilt is the first barrier. Before we think about websites or course formats, we often need to gently challenge some beliefs that keep us stuck.

“If it is not practical, it is a waste of time”

Many of us were raised with the message that learning must lead to a job, a promotion, or a certificate. When we pick a course on poetry, art, or mythology, a voice in our head might whisper, “This is not useful.”

In caregiving life, it can feel even sharper: “I could be organizing medication, cleaning, or resting.” Those tasks do matter. At the same time, the brain does not only run on duty. It also runs on joy, novelty, and a sense of meaning.

Pleasure and curiosity are not extras. They are part of what helps the brain stay resilient, especially under stress.

Fun learning can:

Keep your memory and attention more steady.
Give you a conversation topic that is not medical or household related.
Help protect against burnout by giving you something to look forward to.

So even if a course does not directly relate to your job or caregiving tasks, it can support the person who does those tasks every day.

“I do not have the right to focus on myself”

Many caregivers learn to put their own needs last. If you have been doing that for years, taking even 30 quiet minutes for a class might feel like too much.

If that is where you are, it can help to start with a very small promise:

“I will give myself 15-20 minutes, two or three times a week, to do something that is mine. Not to be useful. Just to feel more human.”

You might decide that your class time:

Happens only when your loved one is resting or safely engaged.
Ends immediately if you are needed, without blame or self-criticism.
Is flexible, so you do not feel trapped by a schedule that does not match the reality of caregiving.

This way, your learning becomes an act of gentle self-respect, not a rigid rule.

“I am afraid I will fail or fall behind”

If your health has changed, or if your mind feels foggier from stress or lack of sleep, starting anything new can be scary. You might worry that:

You will not understand the material.
You will forget what you learned.
You will fall behind and feel ashamed.

This is where choosing the right type of course really matters. Self-paced, low-pressure classes with short videos or small reading sections can fit better than heavy, graded programs.

You might look for:

No exams, or only very simple quizzes.
No strict due dates.
Options to pause and resume whenever you need.
Clear beginner or “for fun” labeling.

Remember: You are not in school. You are not being judged. You can skip a week, rewatch a video, or change courses if something is not working for you.

Types of Online Courses That Work Well “Just for Fun”

Not all online learning feels gentle or relaxing. Some programs are designed for career change, heavy testing, or long study hours. For caregivers and people dealing with long-term health issues, that kind of structure can add stress instead of easing it.

Here are course types that often feel lighter and kinder.

Short, self-paced video courses

These are usually built around short lessons, often 5-15 minutes each. You press play when you have time, stop when you are interrupted, and continue another day.

Good for:

Unpredictable schedules.
People who get tired from reading large blocks of text.
Those who like to see and hear a teacher.

Common platforms:

Udemy, Skillshare, Domestika, craft and art websites.
Health organization websites that offer free skills classes.

Course series made by museums, libraries, or universities

Many cultural organizations now offer free or low-cost mini-classes. These often explore topics like history, art, music, or nature. They are usually gentle and curiosity-based.

You might find:

Virtual museum tours with short lectures.
Book discussions hosted by public libraries.
Free beginner lectures in philosophy, psychology, or world cultures.

These classes often respect slower learners, older learners, and people who are there simply because they love the topic.

Creative skills: art, music, writing, crafts

For many of us, creative courses bring the fastest lift in mood. You might explore:

Watercolor or sketching for beginners.
Simple guitar, piano, ukulele, or singing lessons.
Creative writing, journaling, or memoir classes.
Sewing, quilting, knitting, or crochet tutorials.

These subjects offer something very special: visible progress. You can see your drawings improving. You can play more of a song each week. This can feel deeply healing in a life where so much feels out of your control.

Light mental fitness: languages, puzzles, and brain games

Some learners enjoy small daily challenges that are more like games than lessons. Examples include:

Language learning apps with short daily practice.
Online puzzle and logic platforms.
Memory and attention training games from reputable sources.

For caregivers and older adults, these can help keep the brain active without feeling like work. Always listen to your own limits. If a game feels frustrating, it might be better to pick something soothing instead.

Gentle wellness and movement courses

Our bodies carry so much tension when we care for others or deal with pain and illness. A course that guides movement or relaxation can support both your body and mind.

Examples:

Chair yoga or very gentle yoga series.
Guided breathing practices.
Short stretching routines for stiff shoulders, back, and hips.
Mindfulness or meditation classes created for caregivers.

A key point: Always check with your health care provider if you have medical conditions, falls risk, or pain that might be affected by new movement.

How To Choose an Online Course That Truly Fits Your Life

Choosing a course is not only about the topic. It is also about how it feels to follow that course while you live your real day-to-day life.

Here are some questions that can guide you.

1. How much structure do you want?

Ask yourself:

Do I want fixed class times, or do I need total flexibility?
Will deadlines help me stay engaged, or will they increase my stress?
Do I have the energy for live sessions, or is on-demand better?

If your caregiving schedule changes often, or if your health is unpredictable, self-paced courses may feel kinder than live events.

2. What is your current energy level?

Look honestly at your body and mind:

Are you often exhausted by evening? A short morning lesson might work better.
Do you get headaches from screens? You might choose shorter videos and more audio.
Do you struggle to focus for long? Courses with 5-10 minute segments can help.

A course that matches your energy is more helpful than a “perfect” course that you are too tired to enjoy.

3. How much reading feels comfortable?

Some online courses are text-heavy. Others rely more on video, audio, or demonstrations.

If your eyes get tired, or your reading speed has changed, you might look for:

Courses that clearly show video length and content type.
Options to slow down playback or add captions.
Audio-only versions that you can listen to while resting.

4. Do you want community or quiet?

Some learners feel energized by discussion boards and group chats. Others feel overwhelmed by constant notifications or social pressure.

Think about:

Do I want to talk with classmates, or would that drain me?
Would I enjoy a small, supportive group, or do I prefer to learn alone?
Do I feel safe sharing about my caregiving or health situation in a learning group?

It is completely fine to choose a course where you never post a single message. Silent learning is still learning.

5. What can you comfortably afford?

Financial stress is very real. You do not need an expensive program to enjoy learning.

Good options:

Free courses on platforms like Coursera, edX, or FutureLearn (you often pay only if you want a certificate).
Public library courses on topics like computer basics, creative writing, or genealogy.
Volunteer organizations that offer free classes for caregivers, seniors, or people living with chronic illness.
Low-cost subscription platforms you can cancel anytime.

Try not to feel pressured by “limited time offers” or high-priced bundles. A simple free or low-cost class that you enjoy is more valuable than a costly program that adds pressure.

Fitting Fun Learning Into a Caregiving or Health Routine

Once you have a course in mind, the next question is: How do you fit it into a life that is already full?

Start smaller than you think you need to

Many of us have a habit of planning too much. We tell ourselves we will study for an hour each day, then feel defeated when that does not happen. For a caregiver or a person managing health issues, that plan is often not realistic.

Instead, you might try:

One or two short lessons per week.
A single 20-30 minute block that you treat as your “learning date” with yourself.
Listening to audio lessons while folding laundry, cooking, or resting with your eyes closed.

Progress that feels gentle and sustainable is far better than a perfect plan that collapses after one hard week.

Create a simple course ritual

A small ritual can make your learning time feel special and steady, even when your days feel chaotic.

Your ritual might include:

Making a cup of tea or water before you start.
Sitting in the same chair or corner of the room.
Putting your phone on “Do not disturb” for 20 minutes if it is safe to do so.
Keeping a small notebook for thoughts, doodles, or notes.

Over time, your brain starts to recognize, “This is my calm learning space.”

Use “micro-moments” of time

Caregivers often get bits of time, not long stretches. You might have 10 minutes while a loved one naps, or 15 minutes while a meal is in the oven.

You can use these micro-moments to:

Watch half of a short video.
Read a single page or lesson.
Practice 5 vocabulary words in a language app.
Sketch something very simple.

There is no rule that says learning must happen in big blocks. Short moments, repeated over weeks, can add up to real change.

Prepare for interruptions without self-blame

Caregiving rarely goes according to plan. Emergencies come up. Symptoms flare. Sleep is broken.

It can help to decide in advance:

“If I am interrupted, I will pause the video and come back later.”
“If I miss a week, I will not try to ‘catch up’ on everything. I will just continue from where I am.”
“My worth does not depend on finishing courses. My learning is an act of care, not a test.”

Treat your course like a gentle companion, not another taskmaster.

Supporting Different Abilities and Health Needs While Learning

If you or your loved one lives with disability, chronic illness, cognitive changes, or sensory challenges, there are some extra details that can make learning more comfortable.

For learners with limited mobility or chronic pain

Sitting at a computer for long periods can be painful. To protect your body, you might:

Choose short lessons that you can watch or listen to lying down or in a recliner.
Use a tablet or phone with a stand, so you do not need to hold it.
Take tiny stretch breaks between lessons.
Adjust screen height to avoid neck strain.

If a course includes movement, look for instructors who demonstrate seated or low-impact options and who clearly respect pain limits.

For learners with hearing or vision challenges

Accessibility supports can make a big difference in comfort and fatigue.

Look for courses that offer:

Closed captions or subtitles.
Transcripts you can read at your own pace.
High-contrast visuals and adjustable text size.
Clear audio with minimal background noise.

You might also use built-in device tools like screen readers, zoom features, or color filters to reduce eye strain.

For learners with memory changes or “brain fog”

Caregiver stress, medication, poor sleep, and chronic illness can all affect memory and focus. There are ways to work gently with this, rather than against it.

You might:

Choose shorter, highly visual lessons.
Keep a small notebook with simple headings like “Today I learned…” and “Questions I have.”
Repeat the same lesson once or twice, without judgment.
Study at the time of day when your mind feels clearest.

Learning with brain fog is not a sign of failure. It is a sign of courage in very real conditions.

For caregivers learning together with the person they support

Sometimes, learning is sweetest when it is shared. If your loved one is able and interested, you might:

Pick a course you can both enjoy, such as art, music, or travel history.
Watch a short video together and talk about one thing you each liked.
Pause often for questions, stories, or memories.

This can deepen connection, especially when illness has taken away some of the activities you used to share.

Protecting Your Emotional Wellbeing While Learning Online

Even fun courses can trigger strong feelings. Old school memories, frustration with technology, or pressure to perform can sneak in.

Notice comparison and perfectionism

Online platforms sometimes show discussion posts, projects, or progress markers. It is easy to compare your work to others and feel small.

You might gently remind yourself:

“I am here for joy, not for grades.”
“Everyone has a different life behind the screen. I do not know their challenges.”
“My pace is shaped by caregiving and health. That is not a flaw.”

If a course has a gallery or project page that makes you feel discouraged, you can skip that section and focus on the lessons themselves.

Set emotional boundaries

If you notice a course starts to feel like one more obligation, you are allowed to step back. You are allowed to:

Pause for a few weeks and return later.
Switch to a lighter or more playful subject.
Quit a course that feels harsh or draining and try another.

Stopping a course is not a moral failure. It is information about what your nervous system and your life can hold right now.

Use your course as a calm “anchor” during hard days

In rough seasons, your learning time can become a small, predictable refuge. When medical news is heavy or caregiving is intense, you might keep your course routine very tiny:

One 5-minute video watched with a warm drink.
Listening to a favorite section you already know.
Drawing or writing for 10 minutes, even if you do not finish anything.

The goal is not progress during those times. The goal is comfort and a sense of continuity.

Practical Tips For Getting Started Gently

To make all of this more concrete, here is a simple path you might follow.

Step 1: Name your “just for me” interest

Ask yourself:

What did I once enjoy before caregiving or illness reshaped my life?
What am I quietly drawn to when I scroll online or watch TV?
What would feel like play, not work?

Some common “just for me” interests:

Drawing or painting small scenes.
Learning to play simple songs on an instrument.
Exploring the history of a place you love.
Understanding astronomy, birds, or plants.
Writing short personal stories.

Step 2: Choose one very small starter course

When you search, you might include words such as:

“Beginner” or “for absolute beginners”
“Self-paced”
“No experience required”
“For fun” or “casual”

Aim for:

Less than 5-10 hours total content.
Short lesson lengths (ideally under 15 minutes).
Low or no cost for your first try.

Step 3: Set a gentle learning plan for 2-3 weeks

Instead of planning for months, try a very short experiment.

You might say:

“For the next 3 weeks, I will watch one or two lessons per week.”
“I will treat missed days as neutral, not as failure.”
“At the end, I will decide if this course is helping me feel better or not.”

You can even write this down on a sticky note and place it near your device.

Step 4: Check in with yourself

After a few weeks of gentle learning, pause and notice:

Question	What to look for
How do I feel right after a lesson?	Calmer, more curious, more tired, more stressed?
Do I look forward to class time?	Even a small sense of “I like this” is a good sign.
Is the course pace kind to my energy?	Do you often feel rushed or behind?
Is this helping my mental health?	Any tiny shift in mood, identity, or hope matters.

If the answers feel positive, you can keep going or pick a slightly longer course next time. If not, you have learned something valuable about what your mind and body need.

How Fun Learning Can Quietly Support Caregiving and Health

While your main reason for taking a class might be joy, some gentle side benefits often appear, especially for caregivers and people living with illness.

Better communication and patience

Learning any new skill reminds us what it feels like to be a beginner. That can increase patience with:

A loved one who is confused by medical instructions.
An older adult learning to use a walker or bath chair.
Ourselves, as our own bodies and brains change.

You may find yourself saying, “This is new for both of us. It is okay to go slowly.”

A fresh sense of personal identity

Caregiving can swallow up our sense of self. Health crises can make us feel like we are only a diagnosis.

When you take a course in something like photography, music, or history, you start to remember there are other parts of you:

You are a person who loves color and shape.
You are a person who cares about stories.
You are a person who still grows, changes, and learns.

Online learning can help rewrite the inner story from “I am only a caregiver” to “I am a caregiver, and I am also a learner, an artist, a thinker.”

New coping tools and routines

Some courses, even “fun” ones, naturally bring small habits that support coping. For example:

A drawing class might make you carry a sketchbook to waiting rooms.
A language app might give you a calming 10-minute nightly ritual.
A music course might lead to a shared listening time with your loved one.

These small rituals can break up long days and anchor you when life feels unpredictable.

Connection with others who are more than their roles

If you join a course with discussion, you might meet:

Other caregivers looking for breathing room.
Older adults enjoying retirement learning.
People with chronic illness who are also exploring their interests.

Talking about art, books, or music instead of only about symptoms and tasks can bring relief and a sense of belonging.

When Taking a Course Might Not Be the Right Step (Yet)

It is also honest to say that sometimes, adding a course, even a fun one, may not serve you well in that moment.

You might pause if:

Your basic sleep and nutrition are severely disrupted and you are barely coping.
You feel a strong inner pressure to use a course to “fix” yourself quickly.
Your schedule is so packed that any new activity will crowd out rest completely.

In those seasons, your version of learning might look like:

Listening to a single podcast episode while you rest.
Reading one poem or page of a book before sleep.
Watching a short, calming video about a topic you love, with no expectation to finish a series.

You can think of this as planting small seeds of curiosity until your life has room for a fuller course.

Bringing It All Together: Giving Yourself Permission

At the heart of all of this is permission. Permission to:

Choose something that makes no sense on a resume but makes sense in your heart.
Start small and move slowly.
Change your mind if a course does not serve you.
Celebrate tiny steps, like finishing a 5-minute lesson.

You carry a lot. Caregiving, health challenges, and home accessibility concerns all pull on your time and spirit. An online course taken just for fun will not erase those realities. It can, however, give you a quiet corner of life that belongs to you, where curiosity is allowed and pressure is set aside.

You are still a person who can learn, laugh, and be surprised. An online course you take just for fun is one gentle way to remember that.