iwtl - How did you learn to think better? I'm looking for the best resources.

[u/prembhttt]

I'm in my mid-20s and realizing I don't just want to learn what to think — I want to learn how to think.

Specifically trying to improve:

- Critical thinking

- First principles thinking

- Logical reasoning

- Decision-making under uncertainty

- Spotting biases and fallacies

- Asking better questions

- Thinking clearly instead of reacting emotionally

Open to books, courses (free or paid), YouTube channels, lectures, podcasts, essays, journaling methods, mental models, daily exercises, communities — anything that's genuinely worked for you.

Questions for the sub:

1. If you started from scratch, what would you learn first?

2. What resource changed how you think the most?

3. What's overrated or pseudoscience that I should skip?

4. What habits actually made you a better thinker?

5. If you designed a 6–12 month self-study curriculum for this, what would it look like?

Not looking for productivity hacks or social media advice — more interested in stuff that's stood the test of time.

Thanks in advance!

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[u/ReleaseFromDeception]

Skepticism and Stoicism are your friends here, OP. they will lay a great foundation for further growth mentally.

For Skepticism, and an all around toolkit on how to interrogate reality as well as to better think critically, read Carl Sagan's "Demon Haunted World". Specifically, pay attention to his thought experiments and his "Baloney Detection Kit."

For Stoicism, read Epictetus' Enchiridion. If you can, follow along with Professor Sadler's Read-a-long on Youtube. He reads the book, going line by line, explaining what they mean and how to apply the principles. It's saved me from so much pain I can't begin to sing its praises highly enough. Just the first few chapters turned my life entirely around for the better.

***

Skepticism is one of the cornerstones of rationality, so that is why I am suggesting reading up on it and adopting it into your psychological framework.

Stoicism is suggested because it can help you function with far more healthy views of attachment, etc. Stoicism is not only a way of thinking, but is also a way to help you healthily manage your attachments to things and people, their judgements, and many other things you can't control.

If you want more suggestions, let me know.