Curiosity: Unlocking the Power of Lifelong Learning
Following Wonder: How Curiosity Fuels the Creative Path
🎧 I was just curious about the audio feature. Now here I am, recording an episode about curiosity. Funny how that works — [listen above]🎧
There’s something childlike about curiosity —
the questions, the poking around, the “what happens if I try this?”
It’s what pulls us toward new ideas, different approaches, and unexpected inspiration.
But somewhere along the way, many of us start thinking we need to already know everything before we begin. That curiosity is a luxury — not a tool.
This issue is here to push back against that.
Because curiosity isn’t just the beginning of creativity.
It’s the engine.
A Creative Detail
In the early days of designing Creative Little Details,
I remember getting stuck on the format — and the length — for way longer than I’d like to admit.
I didn’t know what “good design” or “good structure” really meant.
So I dug.
I looked at posters, zines, old newspaper articles.
That rabbit hole didn’t give me one right answer —
but it gave me layers of ideas to try.
I wanted it to feel how a reader would consume content —
and to find what kind of imagery would go hand in hand with the context.
That’s the thing about curiosity.
It doesn’t always lead to perfect clarity —
but it always leads somewhere new.
Observation: Curiosity is a Practice
We often think curiosity is something you either have or don’t.
But in reality — it’s a skill you can grow.
The more you follow your questions, the more open you become. And being open — that’s half the battle when creating anything.
Here’s how curiosity often shows up:
🔍 Asking Better Questions
Instead of “Is this good?”, try:“What’s working here?”
“What’s this trying to become?”🔍Following Tangents
That weird article you read.
The side project you started just for fun.
They all feed your creativity.🔍Sitting With Uncertainty
Curiosity invites you to be okay not knowing.
To explore anyway.Because that — that’s where the growth is.
A Question for Reflection
What’s something you’ve always been curious about — but never gave yourself permission to explore?
Could now be the time to follow it?
Embracing the Beginner’s Mind
There’s power in being new at something.
Beginners ask questions experts stopped thinking about.
Beginners make strange connections.
Beginners are not boxed in.
As a beginner, you don’t need to master everything to begin.
You just need to wonder enough to start.
Let Curiosity Lead
You might not know where it will take you.
It might feel inefficient. Messy. Too slow.
But curiosity makes the creative journey worth it —
and often, more original.
So next time you feel stuck?
Don’t force it.
Follow the curiosity within you.