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Writer's pictureAnne Young

Why You Should Say "No" to Curiosity

Updated: Aug 27, 2023

I don't know what you thought when you first glanced at the title of this blog. I think maybe some found it slightly offensive, while others found their curiosity ironically sparked. Why would we say no to our curiosity? Isn't curiosity a good thing? Isn't curiosity the spark that ignites learning and good ideas?


Well, yes. So let me start off by saying, I am not anti-curiosity. I do believe curiosity sparks wonderful and beautiful things. It does spark creation, and connection, and good ideas. It might have sparked you to read this blog, and for that, I am grateful. But, we all know the saying, "Curiosity killed the cat," right?


I am on a journey right now, one where I am taking my own self-leadership much more seriously and during this journey, I have found myself asking, "Should I be allowed to indulge every curiosity?"


Those who know me are aware that I almost struggle with an addictive relationship with information. I am actually very curious at times. So much so, that sometimes I store more information in my mind than I know what to do with. I don't have enough time to process it, sometimes, I feel like it never leaves. As if has made a permanent home in my heart.


I read a book recently where the author believed he saw PTSD symptoms in people who were exposed to low-level stress all the time. Stresses caused by too much speed, too much stuff, and too much information.


Beyond the stress that too much information brings me, indulging my every curiosity makes me a less-present mom. I have found in the world of blogging, I am curious after I post my newest blog, "Is it resonating with people?" And while there may be a time and place for analytics, it is not anytime or every place.


So, why say "no" to curiosity? So you are the leader of curiosity and curiosity is not the leader of you.


Curiosity is not purely good or purely bad. When led by curiosity, we can find ourselves in some very good places or we can find ourselves in some very bad places.


We see this in kids, right? We protect them from their curiosity as parents. Their curiosity can lead them to make wonderful art, build an amazing tower, OR it could lead them to walk right into the middle of the road!


While we see this easily in out kids, we do not necessarily always see it as easily in ourselves.


Curiosity can be the fuel for pornography addictions, information addictions, social media addictions, and more.


So, how then should we interact with our curiosity?


We should:


Question It


Upon being curious about something, we need a good idea of who we are and our values to know if the curiosity is helping us or hurting us. Is it leading you to where you want to go or is it distracting you from what is important? Or worse, is it leading you to somewhere that is truly awful?


Direct It


For blogging, I fill my mind with all kinds of writing. I read. So in this way, I am directing my curiosity. I am telling it where it should go.


Ignore It


If you decide in fact, your curiosity is distracting you and working against your values, the best thing you can do is ignore it. This can be incredibly difficult, but while I am on my journey of self-leadership, I am growing increasingly convinced that self-discipline is at the heart of many of the great things in life anyways, so why not this too?


If you would like to continue this discussion, I would love you to join my Facebook Group. Hope you are blessed friends.

James 1:14-16


"But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has been conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death."

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