The definition of curiosity is a desire to learn or know about anything. It’s an inherent thirst for knowledge and a search for something new.
I have always been curious. In my younger years I would jump from hobby to hobby, going to dance classes one month, then playing the violin the next. In my late teens and early 20’s, my curiosity lured me in the direction of live music and the study of journalism. Then, a few years later, it catapulted me onto a traveling adventure that would span almost a decade.
The old saying goes that curiosity killed the cat. But what about all of the adventures that the cat enjoyed along the way?
Without curiosity there would be no unexpected discoveries or new friendships formed. We wouldn’t learn new skills or be inspired to write about fascinating topics. There would simply be a repetitive nature to everyday life, and who wants that?
Curiosity and creativity
Curiosity not only leads to new discoveries and an increase in knowledge, it has also been linked to fuelling creativity.
We can become curious about a film, a book, a song, a photograph or the mere mention of a new place. The initial curiosity can then lead to inspiration followed by creativity, resulting in a new article or a piece of art.
Best-selling author Elizabeth Gilbert (of Eat, Pray, Love fame) is renowned for her thirst for life and has even written about the power of curiosity in connection with creativity, particularly in her book Big Magic: Creative living beyond fear.
On a scientific level, a curious nature, or high levels of CQ (curious quotient), has been credited with a greater ability to deal with ambiguity and complex situations. Think about Albert Einstein and his enduring impact on science and philosophy. He was also quoted as saying: “I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious.”
As a writer, one of the perks of the profession is the opportunity to research and expand my knowledge while sharing expertise with clients and readers. The creative outlet of writing is an effective medium for channelling curiosity, and the world is much richer for it.
For more information about copywriting services, including blogging, website copy, press releases, articles, newsletters, and creative development, contact me at hello@hayleymaguire.com
Hayley Maguire 