Journal Power: The Fun of Curiosity

What are you curious about? 

This is such a useful question, because it’s enlightening to think of your answer. How quickly can you come up with a list, however short, of the things you are currently dying to know? 

Is the list on the tip of your tongue, or do you have to think a while before answering? 

Most adults are too busy to focus much on curiosity. And we’re taught to know things with certainty, not to wonder about them. 

So it’s not surprising that the response, if you ask the average guy on the street what he’s curious about, might be a long pause while he tries to remember what captures his interest in that way. 

Sit a while with your journal and consider the question: What am I curious about? 

• What attracts my attention lately?
• Why is it so interesting to me?
• What questions do I have about it? 

There are degrees of curiosity, of course. You may find yourself suddenly fascinated. You just discovered bonsai, for instance, or you met a gorgeous person at last Friday’s party. Your curiosity is a burning desire, an out-of-control impulse to discover and consume everything you can about the object of your interest. 

Or your curiosity may be more regular and steady. You are perennially curious about culinary arts or aerodynamics or nail polish colors. You love to learn about herbs or politics or childhood development. Year after year, your interest continues to keep you enraptured. 

Either way, sudden and intense or slow burning, curiosity is best nurtured in your journal. You might even dedicate one whole journaling notebook to musings on this subject that so enthralls you. 

When you journal your curiosity, be respectful and holistic. 

• Take time to express the pure feeling of wonder, describing how it feels to be curious in the way that you are, and especially describe the shades of your curiosity, from mild to rabid. 
• Indulge in descriptions of things you discover when you’re curious. Write out in detail the most minute specifics, savoring the uniqueness. 
• Let your imagination take control for a while and write down your wildest dreams about whatever captures your curiosity. Wonder about outer space? Dream for a while about being an astronaut. Curious about the world of high fashion? Picture yourself on a runway in Paris. 
• Make a plan in your journal for exploring with intention all the various aspects of the object of your curiosity. Systematically uncover the mysteries, guided by your plan.
• Do some free association around your curiosity. Let words play off one another without censorship or plan. If you journal your curiosity about how spiders build webs, start with the word, web. Write it, draw it, let your pen make associations without conscious thought on your part. Enjoy the surprises.

Not much is more exciting than the feeling of curiosity and not much is more satisfying than following your curiosity to new discoveries. By journaling the process you can deepen it, and end up with a written account of your explorations to treasure forever.

###

Are you curious about how journal writing can benefit you, but don't know how to get started? Contact me for your Private Journal Power Workshop!