Hello! New to all this paranormal stuff - where to even start?

Hi everyone. I'm Sarah, from Manchester, and I've just stumbled down the paranormal rabbit hole quite by accident. About three weeks ago I saw something in the sky that I couldn't explain - nothing dramatic, but genuinely odd - and since then I've been obsessively reading about UFOs, cryptids, and general strangeness.

I've looked at some of the forums here and it's a bit overwhelming, honestly. Everyone seems to have years of research and specialist knowledge. I don't even know if what I saw counts as "paranormal" or if I'm just being silly. I don't have any previous interest in this stuff - I'm more of a books and documentaries person normally.

Is there a good starting point for someone like me? Should I focus on a particular area (UAPs seem most interesting to me) or get a broad overview first? Also, are there any good recent documentaries or books that aren't too dense? I want to be informed without feeling like I need a PhD in atmospheric physics to understand what people are talking about.

Any advice appreciated. Thanks for having me!

Welcome aboard, Sarah! Honestly, your instinct to start with documentaries and accessible books is solid. I'd recommend starting with something like "The Phenomenon" (2020 film, available on most streaming platforms) or reading Nick Pope's "Open Skies, Closed Minds" if you want something more approachable than academic stuff. Both give good overview without being sensationalist.

I saw something in the sky that I couldn't explain - nothing dramatic, but genuinely odd

Don't dismiss your experience just because it wasn't dramatic. Most sightings are subtle. The "Sightings & Reports" forum would genuinely welcome a detailed account - even everyday observations help build broader patterns. Would you be comfortable posting about what you saw? No pressure, but your fresh perspective might be valuable.

The best thing about this community is that we've got proper sceptics alongside believers, which keeps everyone honest. You'll find people who think it's all nonsense and people who're absolutely convinced. Healthy debate. Just read threads with a critical mind and form your own opinions. Don't let anyone pressure you into a position you haven't earned through research.

Started exactly where you are about five years ago - saw something, got curious, ended up going down a proper rabbit hole. Best advice: take it slow, don't spend too much money on equipment until you know what you're actually interested in, and stick around the New Members section for a bit before diving into more heated debates in other forums. Some people here are lovely, some are... intense.

If you specifically want UAP-focused content, try the Skywatching forum. There are some proper helpful guides there on equipment and technique that don't require background knowledge. Just fair warning: the community can get a bit dogmatic about certain incidents (Rendlesham Forest, Roswell, etc.). Keep your scepticism switched on.