As i watched my child holding a humble lemon for the very first time I was struck by how they studied the shape, felt the texture, smelt the aroma, absorbed the colour, even opened their mouth and dared to take a bite. exploring that bright yellow orb they show inquisitiveness about the world around them. Even interacting with something as simple as a lemon, children experience profound wonder and awe,
reminding us we were all born to be curious.
When was the last time you truly allowed yourself to be curious? Not just asking questions to get things done, but letting yourself explore the “why,” the “what if,” and the “how” of things that intrigue you? What if each ordinary day held a thousand inspiring ‘lemon’ moments, just waiting to be experienced? Instead of breezing past life’s hidden gems, consider winding back the clock to a time in your life where you were most inquisitive and could see the magic, too. A time when you didn’t fear pausing, exploring or asking questions. Curiosity is a superpower we all possess and cultivating it just might be your ticket back to seeing the world in a whole new, more exciting and vibrant way.
What Does It Mean to Be Curious?
Curiosity is the desire to learn, to explore, and to understand. It’s that feeling of being drawn to something new and wanting to know more about it, even if we’re not quite sure why. It’s what drives a child to pick up a leaf and examine its texture or to ask endless “why” questions about the world. My toddler regularly quotes a curious line from Sesame Street: “I wonder? What if? Let’s try!”.
In adults, these sparks of curiosity can sadly sometimes get buried under the weight of responsibilities, routines, and the constant rush to meet deadlines. Yet, curiosity is a powerful force. It keeps our minds flexible and open, allowing us to see things from new perspectives and to find joy in the little things. When we nurture curiosity, we invite a sense of aliveness into our lives—an aliveness that can transform our daily experiences, relationships, and our work.
The Benefits of Curiosity in Life and Work
1 . Fostering connectivity: Curiosity helps us to build deeper connections with others. When we approach conversations with genuine interest, we listen more intently, ask meaningful questions, and learn things we might have otherwise missed. This can strengthen our relationships, whether with friends, family, or colleagues, and create a more positive, inclusive environment.
2. Enhancing Creativity: In the workplace, curiosity is a key ingredient for creativity and innovation. When we’re curious, we become open to new ideas and possibilities. We’re more likely to experiment, take risks, and think outside the box. This can lead to breakthroughs, whether it's developing a new product, finding a fresh solution to a stubborn problem, or simply improving how a team collaborates.
3. Improving Wellbeing: A curious mindset can also be a balm for stress and burnout. When we face challenges or setbacks, approaching them with curiosity can shift our perspective from “Why is this happening to me?” to “What can I learn from this?” This shift can make even difficult moments feel more manageable, as we turn obstacles into opportunities for growth.
Why is it so hard to stay Curious?
Despite its many benefits, curiosity often faces hurdles in today’s world. One of the biggest challenges is the relentless pace of modern life, which can make it difficult to slow down and engage with what’s around us. We’re often so focused on checking off our to-do lists and meeting deadlines that we forget to pause and wonder. On top of this, the overwhelming flow of information—from constant news updates to endless social media feeds—can create a sense of knowingness that dampens down our curiosity. We might feel like we already have all the answers at our fingertips, making it less appealing to explore deeper, ponder or ask more questions. Fear of being judged or appearing ignorant can also hold us back, especially in professional settings where there’s pressure to have all the answers. These barriers can stifle our innate desire to learn and discover, making it all the more important to intentionally nurture curiosity in our daily lives.
IS CURIOSITY A THING OF THE PAST?
The curiosity of our grandparents, compared to that of today, existed in a different context and took on a different shape. It’s not necessarily that previous generations were more curious, but that their curiosity had different avenues and challenges. The world of their time was less saturated with information, so satisfying curiosity often required more effort—like visiting libraries, attending community events, or learning through direct interactions with others. Curiosity might have been more about exploring the unknowns of their own environment, tinkering with tools, or finding creative ways to solve everyday problems without the aid of modern technology or the sheer volume of shared knowledge that we have access to.
Today, our curiosity is shaped by the digital age, where we can instantly access answers to almost any question online, instantly. This can make us feel like there’s less need to investigate or ponder deeply; curiosity is often satisfied with a quick Google search. On the other hand, we have access to a far wider range of knowledge than our grandparents did, which can spur curiosity about things they never imagined—like space exploration, global cultures, or emerging technologies. However, this constant access to information can sometimes overwhelm or distract us, leading to a kind of passive consumption rather than the active, hands-on exploration that might have happened before.
In essence, all generations have had their own brand of curiosity, shaped by the opportunities and limitations of their time. While our grandparents might have had to work harder to satisfy their curiosity, we face the challenge of not letting the convenience of information take away the deeper, more rewarding aspects of being truly curious and wondering about the world we’re in.
How to Cultivate Curiosity in Your Everyday Life
Cultivating curiosity is a quality that can enrich our personal and professional lives in ways that we might not expect. It’s like tending a garden—it requires intention and care. To get you started, here are some simple practices to weave curiosity into your daily life:
1. Ask Open-Ended Questions
When catching up with a friend or colleague, instead of asking, “How was your day?” try something like, “What was the most interesting thing that happened to you today?” or “What’s something you’re excited about right now?”. Open-ended questions invite richer conversations and encourage others to share more of themselves.
2. Embrace a Beginner’s Mind
In mindfulness practice, there’s a concept called beginner’s mind, which means approaching every experience as if you’re encountering it for the first time. The next time you’re walking in your local area or completing a routine task like going to the shops, try to notice something new about it. This practice can help you break free from operating on autopilot mode and reconnect with the present moment.
3. Make Time for Exploration
Set aside time each week to explore something that piques your interest—whether it’s reading about a new topic, visiting a museum or trying out a hobby that’s always intrigued you. I’ve recently dabbled with crosstich, tried duolingo and cooked new dishes with a little more spice! Exploring doesn’t have to be time-consuming; even 15 minutes can be enough to give it a go and rekindle a sense of curiosity in a fun way.
4. Notice and Reflect
When something sparks your curiosity, pause and ask yourself: “What is it about this that fascinates me?”. Taking a moment to reflect can deepen your experience and help you understand your own interests and motivations better. Over time, this practice can turn even everyday interactions into sources of insight and wonder.
HOW TO Bring MORE Curiosity into the Workplace
Curiosity has a place at work as well as in your everyday life. The most successful and creative companies see curiosity as a critical professional skill. These workplaces understand the immense value of curious employees and try to foster a culture of curiosity because they understand it helps their entire organisation to thrive. Here are a few ways to bring curiosity into your professional life:
1. Create a Safe Space for Questions
Encourage yourself and your team to ask questions, even those that might seem obvious or unconventional. When we feel safe to question assumptions, we open the door to new ideas and ways of doing things. This can lead to a more engaged and innovative work environment.
2. Celebrate the “What If” Moments
Instead of focusing solely on efficiency and results, take time to entertain “what if” questions. What if we tried a new way of conducting meetings? What if we partnered with a different client to expand our impact? What if we test this product with our market? These questions can stimulate creative thinking and help teams see beyond the status quo and broaden their horizons.
3. Practice Active Listening
In meetings or one-on-one conversations, practice active listening by truly focusing on what the other person is saying without planning your response. Listening with curiosity means you’re fully present and open to the other person’s perspective, which can foster greater understanding and collaboration.
Curiosity CAN MAKE YOU HAPPIER too
At its heart, curiosity is about finding delight in the unknown. It’s about approaching life with a sense of play and wonder, even in the most ordinary moments. By cultivating curiosity, you can transform your experiences—finding more meaning in your work, connecting more deeply with others, and rediscovering the richness that’s present all around you.
So, as you move through your day, invite yourself to pause and ask: “What can I be curious about right now?” Whether you’re tackling a familiar task or meeting someone new, this simple shift in mindset can open the door to a more vibrant, engaged, and joyful life. A few more curious moments of quality attention and inquisitiveness may bring you a deeper appreciation of the world and the people around you. And who knows? You just might uncover something wonderful that you never even thought to look for before. When life gives you lemons … get curious.
I’m curious to know, how curious are you? Leave me a comment below.
Finding peace in the everyday
If you’re new to the world of mindfulness and are looking for more information, effective tools and simple strategies to help you manage your stress effectively then check out my new book, Mindfulness: finding peace in the everyday. It’s filled with ways to keep calm and live life more mindfully, relieve stress and improve your wellbeing. In the book, you’ll find step-by-step meditations and breathing exercises for beginners, as well as tonnes of tips and practices to make every day more peaceful and pleasant. The book is available to buy worldwide, now.
#discovermindfulness with Annika Rose.