How to Cultivate Curiosity and Hope: A Practice for Personal Growth and Passion
Sometimes, cultivating curiosity is the most radical form of self-care.
In a world where burnout, perfectionism, and disconnection run rampant, learning how to find your passions—without pressure—is an underrated mental health practice. It can also be a surprisingly hopeful one.
Let’s start small.
You hear someone talk about fly fishing. Normally, you’d nod politely. But what if you paused and asked, “What do I think about fly fishing? Would I like standing in a creek at sunrise?” Maybe you would. Maybe it’s therapeutic. You don’t have to try it. You just have to wonder.
That wondering? That’s where hope begins.
How Acting on Curiosity Changed The Game For Me
My journey to becoming an Associate Therapist started, because I watched Esther Perel's Ted Talk and I thought, how does a woman become so composed, so wise, and so bold like that? I used LinkedIn to write her a message to see if I could do some social media work for her. I worked with her for 2.5 years and then found myself asking: could I do this sort of work?
At the time, I was just bookmarking something that sparked a feeling inside of me. I was just reaching out with a pinch of hope and curiosity. I didn’t put the pressure on myself of, “WHO AM I and WHO SHOULD I BE?”. I just took one small step. And I’m so grateful I did.
Why Cultivating Curiosity Is a Mental Health Practice
Curiosity reminds us we’re still alive. It says, “There might be something new here for me.” Especially when you’re navigating identity questions, recovering from religious trauma, or just feeling stuck, a curious mind keeps the door open to joy.
You don’t need to monetize your interests. You don’t need a five-year plan. You just need a willingness to explore:
What might it feel like to care about birds?
Would I enjoy learning about tiny ecosystems or weird historical facts?
Could admiring someone else’s passion awaken something in me?
This practice of staying open is powerful. It’s personal growth without the hustle.
Admiration as a Map to Self-Discovery
Another path to finding your passion? Look at who you admire.
Not the glossy, unreachable heroes—but the real people who make you think, “I want to be more like that.” Their presence stirs something in you, and that “something” is often a clue. Maybe it’s confidence. Or clarity. Or the way they move through the world with joy.
Ask yourself:
What about them draws me in?
Is there a part of me that already shares that spark?
Could I grow toward that version of myself?
Admiration can become a form of self-expansion. A guidepost. A kind of compass for who you’re becoming.
How to Collect Passions Without Pressure
Personal growth isn’t linear. You don’t need to commit to a new identity every time you’re interested in something. Think of it like collecting—interests, ideas, bits of beauty.
Some you’ll keep. Some you’ll let go. But all of them are part of your becoming.
Examples:
Study marine biology for a weekend
Learn a single phrase in 10 different languages
Watch competitive baking shows and root for the underdog
Let your curiosity lead. This is healing through exploration. Mental health through play.
Living Like Everything Might Be For You
What if you moved through the world as if everything had something to teach you?
That doesn’t mean making everything about you. It means asking, gently, Could this be a doorway? Even the boring stuff. Even someone else’s obsession.
The next time a friend lights up talking about bees or philosophy or powerlifting, ask yourself, “Would I like that too?”
You don’t need to do it. But the asking—that’s where the aliveness is.
Make It a Practice: 3 Steps to Try This Week
Notice three things someone you are close to is excited about.
Ask, “What would it feel like to try that?”
Play with one. No pressure. No outcome. Just follow the thread.
Curiosity is a mental health practice. A hope ritual. A reminder that more is possible than you think.
Final Thought: Hope Lives in the Question
Personal growth doesn’t always start with clarity. Sometimes it starts with “What if?”
Let curiosity stretch you and let admiration guide you.
A Movie, A Song, A Book:
Still not sure where to start? Find hope and curiosity in one or all of these types of entertainment:
Movie: Amélie (2001)
Song: “Dog Days Are Over” by Florence + The Machine
Book: Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert
