In today's episode I explain what following your curiosity means and how to do it.
Listen to the Episode Here:
I just finished reading "Big Magic" by Elizabeth Gilbert, for the second time. I absolutely love that book. So much wisdom. So many gold nuggets in it. So inspiring.
This is what stuck to me this time around: "Follow your curiosity."
Let me explain.
Towards the end of the book she talks about how she decided to follow her curiosity after waiting for the next great book idea that never came.
She asked herself what was she curious about and what came to her was: gardening.
Nothing extraordinary really, nevertheless she decided to find more about it. She had never gardened before but she pursued it anyway. She did it as a way of passing the time until an idea for a new book would come.
A three year journey ensued and at the end of it, a book had been written. A thread that started with her curiosity about gardening, gave her everything she needed to feel the inspiration to write a new novel: "The Signatures of All Things".
After reading this, something inside of me awoke.
Reading Elizabeth ‘a words reminded what my soul desperately wants: for me to discover who I really am and and embrace it so I can be happy.
I realized that for the longest time I’ve been stuck in a rigid pattern of goal setting, laser focus and "all business-no fun" attitude.
I’ve been on a path so serious and strict that I had no room for curiosity. The reason: curiosity is risky, it is a waste of time, or so I thought...
Reading Elizabeth ‘a words reminded what my soul desperately wants: for me to discover who I really am and embrace it so I can be happy
So I’ve decided to take a step back and follow my curiosity. I decided that I would find out what I was curious about with no ulterior motives. With no secret agenda, other than to have pure, unadulterated, delicious fun.
I started to ask myself what am I curious about?
First thing that came to mind was: "Paris"
I’ve never been to Paris. I’ve always said I wanted to go but now, I am genuinely considering following this thread of curiosity.
To me Paris is a magical place of exquisite food, amazing culture and intriguing way of living.
There are so many things that thinking about Paris is calling me to do. For one, I’d love to learn French. I live in Louisiana, it shouldn’t be hard to find a way to learn it locally, in person, without the use of the internet or my computer. That would be fun.
Another thing that comes to mind is cooking. I am not a real cook but there is something about learning how to cook French cuisine that is calling me. And those who know me know that I eating good food is one of my biggest pleasures in life.
And more obviously, what comes to mind is: visiting Paris. But not just to visit and do the touristy thing, but to spend my time there living like the locals do.
These are my initial thoughts when it comes to being curious about Paris.
I don’t know when or how I’ll be able to do all these things but I will start with thinking about it, enjoying daydreaming about it and maybe researching where I can take French lessons.
I will do my best to continue to pull on that thread of curiosity.
I really don’t know where all this will take me, but does it really matter?
All I know is that in this new phase in my life I want to indulge in the things that I didn’t allow myself to indulge in just because I thought that it wasn’t a priority or that it was a waste of time.
And now I want to invite you to do the same. Ask yourself what are you curious about? Even if it a faint thought comes up, don't dismiss it. Be curious enough to follow that thread and find out where it brings you.
By following your curiosity you will discover parts of yourself, parts of who you really are that you haven't been able to see before.
If you feel like you need permission, I give it to you, just like Elizabeth did to all of us in her book.
I give you permission to unfold and a allow your alter ego to come afloat, to explore and discover who you really are.
This can be a secret between you and you, in a playful and fun way. You don't have to tell another soul. Do it for the fun of it. You owe it to yourself.
Thanks for listening/reading!
Talk to you soon!
Are you ready to follow your heart and blossom?
Nadjah
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BOOK MENTIONED
Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
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