How curious are you? As one of the 24 character strengths common to humankind (Peterson &Seligman, 2004), curiosity motivates us to explore our environment, investigate new situations, and gain greater understanding. Curiosity and anxiety are two responses to novel situations.

Research has revealed that when our curiosity is stronger than anxiety, we approach, wanting to learn more. When our anxiety is stronger than curiosity, we avoid, withdraw, and retreat from the situation (Spielberger & Starr, 1994). Perhaps choosing to follow our curiosity can even reduce our anxiety.

Following our curiosity can expand our perspective, inspiring us to learn, persevere, and reach our goals. As one of the character strengths most associated with life satisfaction, curiosity can raise our mood and bring us greater awareness, joy, satisfaction, academic success, longevity, meaning, and good relationships (Niemiec, 2018; Peterson & Seligman, 2004).

Curiosity can bolster our creativity (Niemiec, 2018) as we search for answers, find new solutions, and discover new possibilities. Artists, scientists, and writers are inspired........

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