February 27, 2025
Many people have pondered the meaning of life. You may have yourself.
I am not sure if I have asked what the meaning of life is. Rather, I have questioned the meaning of certain things that I have done in my life. If I have been in a negative frame of mind, I have often asked myself, why did I waste my time doing that? What did I get out of that experience? I will tell you from experience, my reply was often not very helpful. I would end spiraling into rumination. Let me share from experience, rumination is not helpful at all.
Psychologist Julian Frazier wrote recently in a blog that many may ask what is the meaning of life, but they often fail to answer what is the meaning of life because they do not understand “meaning.”
Meaning is something you feel, not that you use logic, rationality, or reason to deduce, wrote Frazier. Added, those who earnestly ask, “what is the meaning of life?” have expressed that they feel that their life is not.
How does curiosity play a role in the meaning of life? Psychologists view curiosity as a life force, vital to happiness, intellectual growth, and well-being wrote Marilyn Price-Mitchell, Ph.D. a developmental psychologist.
Research has linked curiosity to a wide range of important adaptive behaviors, including tolerance of anxiety and uncertainty, positive emotions, humor, playfulness, out-of-box thinking, and a noncritical attitude—all attributes associated with healthy social outcomes.
Frazier commented that our brains really like it when things make sense. The feeling of things making sense can vary from relief, security, and satiety to awe or elation. However, if we are pondering questions like what the meaning of life. our brains notice when things do not line up or do not make sense. If we are struggling to make sense of things, this stresses our brains out.
It is up to us, wrote Frazier, to produce a solution that makes sense to our brains. It is important to become the author of your story. Find your voice, and tell your story. It does not matter what story we tell our brains, even if it is fictional, as long as it helps us our brains make sense.
Through the many articles that I have read and videos that I have watched, I have concluded that using our curiosity is important element. We can use our curiosity to create our own story can help us find meaning as Frazier suggested.
Meaning is only ever found and embodied in the present, wrote Frazier.
I may not fully agree that meaning can only be found in the present, as I have many wonderful memories and experiences that are meaningful. Perhaps, it is in the present that we attach meaning, so therefore we are able to recall them better.
I have noticed that as humans, we can often skim across the surface of the present, seeking out meaning and happiness beyond today. We mistakenly rush through our days to find answers that may be right in front of us. I know that I can get hung up on the “not yet” or I will be happy when… or I can start when…, etc. Perhaps that is what we are missing out on. I have learned recently that if I am curious about something, I am more focused in the now, the present. I am not anxious, not worried about the future.
Psychologist Todd Kashdan noted, if we are going to find a meaningful purpose or calling in life, chances are good we will find it in something that unleashes our curiosity. Our curiosity could lead us to meaningful interests, hobbies, and passions.
“The greater the range and depth of our curiosity, the more opportunities we must experience things that inspire and excite us, from minute details to momentous occasions,” wrote Kashdan.
Emily Campbell highlighted six ways that curiosity has been linked with psychological, emotional, social, and even health benefits. The second benefit is curious people are happier. Campbell noted research has shown that curiosity is associated with higher levels of positive emotions, lower levels of anxiety, more satisfaction with life, and greater psychological well being.
Kashdan said curiosity is the entry point to many of life’s greatest sources of meaning and satisfaction.
Below are ideas that can help you become more curious:
- Reignite the love for play. The nature of play can build interest and curiosity in what we are doing in the present. Seek out your inner child’s wonder.
- Search for the novel in your day. Pay attention to the minute details, such as ripples in a puddle, snowflakes on the window. Take the time to look with fresh eyes.
- Stay in the present moment when talking with others. Ask questions and listen with care. Be interested in the other person.
- Seek to make new friends. Meeting new people can help us discover unrecognized aspects of ourselves.
- Try something again that you have not tried since you were a kid. Wipe your mind off expectations.
Curiosity can enhance your life. Open up your mind, ignite your curiosity.
Resources:
Image retrieved on 2/21/2025 <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/mental-health-concept-illustration_382536411.htm”>Image by storyset on Freepik</a>
Campbell, Emily. “Six Surprising Benefits of Curiosity.” 9/24/2015. Greater Good magazine. Retrieved on 2/21/2025 from https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/six_surprising_benefits_of_curiosity
Frazier, Ph.D., Julian. “A Psychologist’s Unpopular Opinion about the ‘Meaning-of-life.’ Medium.com posted on 1/26/2025. Retrieved on 2/21/2025 from https://medium.com/@julian.frazier.phd/a-psychologists-unpopular-opinion-about-the-meaning-of-life-82480297ca22
Kashdan, Todd/ Experience Life. “5 Benefits of Curiosity. Discover how cultivating an inquiring mind can help you lead a happier, healthier life.” 12/1/2019. Retrieved on 2/21/2025 from https://experiencelife.lifetime.life/article/the-power-of-curiosity/
Price-Mitchelle, Ph.D. Marily. “Curiosity: The Heart of Lifelong Learning. How to Nurture a child’s hungry mind.” April 13, 2015. Psychology Today. Retrieved on 2/21/2025 from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-moment-of-youth/201504/curiosity-the-heart-of-lifelong-learning
Curious and Creative 