The Power of Curiosity: Fuel for Creativity

Curiosity is the lifeblood of creativity. It pushes us to explore, ask questions, and uncover new perspectives that lead to innovation. From an early age, I learned that curiosity was not just about acquiring knowledge—it was about embracing the unknown, about delighting in discovery rather than rushing to conclusions. Some of my earliest and most formative lessons in curiosity came from my grandmother and the natural world around me.

Lessons from my Grandmother: Birds, Sketching, and Wonder

My grandmother had a deep love for birds, and she passed that love on to me. She would point out the different species that visited our backyard, explaining their colors, songs, and behaviors. But instead of just giving me facts, she encouraged me to watch closely and form my own observations.

"Why do you think that bird is behaving that way?" she would ask.

This simple question sparked something in me — it invited me to think beyond the obvious, to engage with the world in a way that was active rather than passive. I started sketching birds, not just to capture their shapes but to better understand them. With each drawing, I became more attuned to details: the curve of a beak, the way feathers layered over one another, the subtle shift in a bird’s posture before flight. In those moments, creativity was born.

The Stars Above: Embracing the Unanswered

Another formative experience came from lying under the night sky on our farm in Pennsylvania, staring up at the vast expanse of stars. The sheer depth of space fascinated me, but what truly ignited my imagination were the questions that had no easy (or readily available) answers.

"How far does it go?" I would wonder. "Is there an end? And if so, what’s beyond that?"

Unlike a school lesson where answers were neatly provided, these questions had no immediate resolution. Instead, they invited contemplation, speculation, and a deep sense of wonder. I didn’t need answers right away—if anything, the mystery itself was the fuel.

The Modern Trap: Quick Answers and Diminishing Curiosity

Today, we live in an era where any question can be answered within seconds. A simple Google search provides an immediate response, and while access to knowledge is undeniably valuable, it has also dulled our ability to sit with curiosity. We no longer have to wonder; we just ask and receive.

But creativity doesn’t thrive on quick answers—it thrives on the journey of discovery. The process of questioning, of engaging deeply with an idea, of allowing the mind to explore without immediate resolution—this is what leads to breakthroughs.

Cultivating Curiosity for Creativity

To nurture creativity, we must rekindle our curiosity. That means embracing uncertainty, spending time with open-ended questions, and allowing ourselves to observe the world without rushing to categorize or explain it. Whether through sketching, storytelling, or simply sitting with a question, curiosity should be given space to breathe.

Looking back, I realize that my grandmother’s encouragement to observe birds and my own fascination with the night sky weren’t just pastimes — they were lessons in how to think, how to see, and ultimately, how to create.

If we want to keep our creativity alive, we must resist the urge for instant answers and instead cultivate the joy of wondering. It means putting our devices aside, if even for just a short while.