Curiosity is a way of being
A deeper look at curiosity as more than just asking questions…..it's a way of being.
We often think of curiosity as something simple: asking questions, showing interest, or seeking new information. But true curiosity is much more than that. It’s not just about what we do, it’s about how we are. It’s a posture, a practice, and sometimes, a profound act of courage.
In a world that often rewards certainty, confidence, and quick answers, curiosity asks us to slow down, to soften, and to stay open. And that can feel anything but easy.
Beyond Questions: Curiosity as a Way of Being
It’s tempting to view curiosity as a tool, something we rely on when we want to learn, solve, or fix. But curiosity isn’t just about gathering facts or satisfying intellectual hunger. Curiosity is a way of meeting the world with presence, humility, and a willingness to be changed by what we discover.
Being curious means letting go of the need to be right. It means noticing when we’re preparing our rebuttal instead of listening. It means entering conversations not to control the outcome, but to understand the experience.
This kind of curiosity is active. It’s intentional. And it’s deeply relational.
Why Curiosity Changes Everything
When we bring true curiosity into our conversations and relationships, everything shifts.
Curiosity invites empathy. It helps us see beyond our own lens and consider what else might be true. It interrupts reactivity and judgment, creating space for clearer thinking and deeper understanding.
In tense moments, curiosity becomes an anchor. Rather than rushing to fix, defend, or avoid, we can pause and ask:
“What’s really happening here?”
“What might this person be feeling or needing?”
“What’s my part in this dynamic?”
This shift, from certainty to openness, can defuse conflict, build trust, and move us toward outcomes that serve everyone more effectively. Certainty can come from a reliance on our own intuition about something, where we sense something to be true, and yet, there is a fine line between believing our own sense of something and assumption, and assumption is a significant barrier to connection.
Practicing Curiosity in Real Life
Like any mindset, curiosity is something we can cultivate. It’s a practice, not a personality trait.
Here are a few simple ways to bring more curiosity into your everyday interactions:
Pause before responding. Give yourself just a moment to breathe and ask, “What else could be going on here?”
Notice your assumptions. Are you reacting from habit or truly trying to understand?
Use open, gentle language. Try, “Tell me more…” or “Help me understand what that’s like for you.”
Get curious with yourself, too. Ask, “What am I feeling right now? What do I need?”
The goal isn’t to be perfectly neutral or endlessly inquisitive. It’s simply to stay open long enough to see more clearly, both in others and in ourselves.
Curiosity Is a Choice
At its core, curiosity is an act of trust. It says:
I’m willing to see beyond what I already know.
I’m open to being changed.
I’m choosing connection over control.
In a time when many of us are rushing to be heard or scrambling to fix, curiosity slows us down just enough to be fully human with one another.
So, here’s an invitation:
Where in your life could more curiosity shift the conversation, or the outcome?