"The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new lands but in having new eyes." Marcel Proust

What is curiosity?

Curiosity is about having an interest in the world. Curious people do not sit back and accept the world and everything in it. As such they will not assume that what they are told is true. Being curious allows a person to be open to experience and not see the world in black and white. It involves a desire to learn more. This will include being curious about other people, places, objects, events and even the self.

Reflecting on and pondering one's actions, thoughts and feelings is just one element of curiosity. You do not have to be a thrill-seeker to be curious.

Why is curiosity important?

Children are highly curious. We see curiosity in an eight month old child who will look behind things in search of other objects. A toddler is craving to learn about their world and the parent has to be ever watchful to ensure they do not come to harm. An adolescent will seek out experiences in an attempt to establish their own identity. Curiosity is crucial to a child's mental and physical development.

Do we remain curious as adults? It sometimes seems that curiosity is left to the children. Is it that as adults we have learned the right thing to do and are aware of and are able to evaluate risk, unlike our exploratory toddler self? We stop being curious, instead treading with caution or losing interest in the world altogether. People get into a routine and know what works for them. Of course, not all adults are like this and many people continue to be curious every day.

Work by Seligman has identified curiosity as one of 24 strengths. Such strengths have been shown to be ones that you can nurture. However, according to Seligman it is important to identify and focus on your signature strengths. Find out if curiosity is your signature strength. Go to the Authentic Happiness site and complete the VIA Signature Strengths Questionnaire. Using your signature strengths on a regular basis can increase your happiness.

However, I am a counsellor who is all for self-improvement, and suggest there is nothing to stop you from building on this strength even if it does not turn out to be one of your signature strengths. Facing the challenge and winning could reap you the reward of happiness.

The benefits of being curious

How can curiosity benefit us? What is the value of nurturing  this strength? By being curious, you will be:

• More open minded.

• Enjoying the world around you.

• Excited about what is going on in your life.

• Increasing your awareness of the world.

• Enhancing your chances of experiencing flow and therefore happiness.

• Learning new things.

• Building your confidence.

• Improving your job performance.

How to develop and embrace curiosity

Curiosity is not just for children. It is also not just about engaging in extreme sports or travelling far and wide (see the Proust quote at the top of this article). Have a look at the following suggestions to help you get curious about the world once more.

 

• Take a moment to attend closely to something. It can be a person, animal, plant, name, event, object. Anything! Give it some thought. Ask yourself: what is it doing, how did it get there, where did it come from, what is it thinking, and so on. Get really curious about what is going on for your chosen item of interest; what role does it play in the world and how does it impact on your life?

• Develop your communication skills to enhance your appreciation of other people. Good listening skills will help you engage and get curious about the people around you.

• Go exploring. It doesn’t have to be a round the world trip (although it can be). Visit nearby towns and villages or explore your own neighbourhood. Places are ever changing, so you may be surprised at what you may discover.

• Read books. Go to the library, have a good browse and pick yourself out some books. It can be fiction or non-fiction, new topics of interest, or  a book to enhance your existing interest.

• Watch films you would not normally watch.

• Watch foreign films. You can learn so much about other cultures and become familiar with how the language sounds (even if you have no idea what the words mean).

• Browse websites to learn about different cultures and countries. Find a map of the world and then take your pick.

• Develop your existing hobby. For example, if you are a keen gardener you could learn to grow a type of plant you’ve always been curious about.

• Change things around. Move your furniture, rearrange your cupboards, the layout of your desk. See what works and what doesn’t work.

• Try a route to work that you’ve always wondered about.

• Try different foods or new recipes.

• Learn something new.

• Explore your creative side – try different crafts.

• Carry out volunteer work with a group of people you know little about. Volunteer work has the added bonus that it in itself can increase happiness.

• Do not accept things for how they appear.

• Learn about yourself: try new things, develop new ideas, consider where you stand on different topics. Keep a journal to track your development.

• Develop your experience of flow. It will enhance your attention skills and help you want to learn more about the thing you are working on.

• Keep your curiosity within your own personality type.  It’s supposed to be enjoyable not unpleasant.

Remember

So often you will have heard the saying curiosity killed the cat. Curiosity does not have to be a risky business and let’s face it, the curious cat will have led a far more interesting and satisfying life than the person sat in front of the television passively viewing and waiting to be fed messages, ideas and viewpoints.