How Curiosity Rewires You for a Better Life

I've been thinking about the things that have shaped my journey as the Founder of MoGlow: what I value, my strengths, my "why." In true entrepreneurial fashion, I have something to say, so I thought I would turn my musings into a short series. Over three parts, I'll dig into what makes me tick and how it led me to start this business. Stay tuned for my notes on connections and creativity, but today, we’re talking all about the art of curiosity. Thanks for your interest and for asking me the questions! – Mozh

The case for staying curious

Questions. I’m asking them with the fervor of a child. I’m curious about so many things big and small—what if I switched from coffee to matcha tea? What if I got a shorter haircut? What if I pivoted my 30-year legal career and started a business based on a beauty question I asked myself repeatedly morning and night? 

As we grow into adults and develop an understanding of the way things work, our worldview narrows. We no longer tug our parents' sleeve and ask why the sky is blue. Instead, education systems and workplaces reward us for knowing the right answer or for being able to solve questions quickly. We fall into a rhythm of acceptance, trading our sense of wonder for the predictability of our daily routine.

I’ve generally resisted this conditioning, leaning on my curiosity as a practice of self-exploration, connection, and resilience. I see the world through a series of questions. Where others may see a finished product, a standard routine, or an established template, I see a puzzle waiting to be unraveled. Curiosity has guided my life through a series of unexpected adventures and opened my world to possibilities I could never have imagined—until I asked. Here’s how I find posing more questions can improve your wellbeing, create better conversations, and make you more adept to handle the hard stuff. 

How can I live better?

‍Research has proven that curiosity is associated with higher levels of positive emotions, lower levels of anxiety, more satisfaction with life, and overall physical well-being. The desire to learn new things helps your brain form fresh connections, triggering the release of dopamine, and thereby reducing your overall stress. It’s like a vitamin! But it’s also a muscle that must be exercised regularly and in new, stimulating ways. 

Our brains love and get stronger with novelty. Straying from routine is what brings excitement to the repetitive structure of our lives. Consider any time you’ve uttered the phrase: “We should do this more often.” The energized thrill that a new activity, friend, or destination brings. Feeling stuck? Try listening to a new artist, going for a walk in an unfamiliar neighborhood, or treating yourself to a coffee at a place you’ve never been to before. By inviting newness, we can repel stagnation; sharpening our minds and making us more interesting people in the process.

How can I go deeper?

I’ve never been particularly inspired by small talk. I cut through the generic comments and quickly transition to the good stuff, the real stuff. It may be as simple as “I’ve missed you. What’s really going on in your life–good or bad, happy or sad? And what’s on the horizon for you this week with friends, family, or work?” By going deeper in my conversations, I’ve been able to foster more meaningful relationships—becoming a better partner, friend, and businesswoman as a result. The recipe for building these strong connections: curiosity. 

Genuine interest in the people you meet naturally drives the exchange to a more fruitful place. I make an effort in my life to practice active listening: being present, focused, and engaged in what the other person is saying, and asking questions in response. If this intentional style of conversation doesn’t come naturally to you, consider my top seven principles for better listening to help you stay curious:

1. Put aside judgments and reactions.
2. Focus your full attention, with a good amount of eye contact.
3. Take body language cues.
4. Don’t interrupt, but ask clarifying questions when there is a pause.
5. Probe deeper and build on issues.
6. Work up to the tougher or meaningful topics.
7. Reflect and summarize their key points in your own words.

How can I get through the hard things?

I believe curiosity is not only a resource for stimulating your brain and furthering connection, it can also be a lifeline during tough times. Whether it’s a significant life change or lack thereof, asking questions can be a stepping stone to getting through. I’d recommend getting inquisitive about your roadblocks: What’s holding you back? What can be learned from the experience you’re going through? Where are you putting your energy? How could things be different?

This inquisitive approach to life is what led me to consider a different career direction after more than 30 years of working in global law firms. It was a creative desire driven by curiosity about my everyday life that led me to explore a completely new path. I really questioned how I could improve a key part of my routine and developed a product and a business that answered the question. It was straightforward: what if I didn’t have to hunch, squint, and lean into my bathroom mirror at the beginning and end of each day? What if I could design a beauty mirror for daily wellness and real time savings? And I did. 

Where do I begin?

To be curious is a practice and a discipline. To me, it’s the ultimate tool for expanding your life. How you integrate  it into your life is up to you, but you can consider these guiding questions as a place to start:

1. What is something new, something entirely out of your routine, that you can try today? Maybe it’s taking a different route home from work, spending twenty minutes doodling, drawing, or writing after dinner, or calling a friend you haven’t talked to in a while. Find a way to invite newness into your day—today! 
2. If time and money were unlimited for the next year, what skill or project would you dive into? What have you always wanted to try but been too busy or afraid to attempt? See if there’s a class you can sign up for, a local group you can join, or just put your distractions away, set a timer, and give it a go. 
3. How can you nurture the connections that you made over the summer? The season of socializing may be winding down for you, but how can you make an effort to keep your relationships alive? Can you initiate a standing phone call or new text chain with a friend who lives far away? Or tap into the lost art of snail mail? How can you deepen new friendships and stay connected to existing ones?

Ultimately, curiosity isn’t about finding interesting things to do every day; it’s about approaching everyday things with interest. It’s a practice that can fundamentally change your life and what you choose to do with it. It’s an exercise that can break up the monotony of the day-to-day and give you hope for what could be. I made the drastic change to become an entrepreneur in the pursuit of a routine for wellness and time saving, and every day I reap the benefits for taking on this new challenge. So ask yourself: Is there something specific you want to create for yourself and others? What are you inspired to achieve or let go? How can you be more curious?

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Check back soon for part two of my Founder journey series: Connecting the Dots: How Relationships Drive Culture, Happiness, and Longevity. Coming soon!