Go a Little Further: What Curiosity Has Taught Me

I’ve recently been on an adventure in Nepal with a dear friend. It was a full month of reconnecting, learning, trekking and making memories — the kind of time that expands you in ways you don’t always realise until you’re home again.

Just recently, Colby — my wonderful pal — sent me the sweetest video message of him and his dad in Italy to say that something I’d shared during our trip had really stayed with him: “If you keep going just a little further, you never know what you might find.”

They’d found themselves off the beaten path, climbing a set of steps tucked away from the crowds. At the top, they sat with a quiet beer, looking down on to the town and out to sea…

That message — and that moment — inspired this blog.

The Power of Staying Curious

There are so many things in life we can experience if we stay curious. We’re physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally designed to move, to learn, to connect, and to feel.

We can often plan and remain fixed to what we’ve decided to do. Sometimes that’s necessary — when there’s something that needs to be done, a task to complete, or a promise to keep. But other times, when we stay too rigidly within the comforts of what’s known or what’s been recommended to us, we don’t leave space for curiosity — or flexibility — to play its part.

I’ve often found that in those moments of exploration, when I’m intrigued by something and want to find out a little more, walk that little bit further, or take a spontaneous left or right turn and trust my instincts — I come across something I never would have expected.

Wonderful experiences. Unforgettable people. Hidden places. Moments you can’t plan. Experiences no guidebook or Google review could recommend.

Looking Back: A Different Chapter

To live this way now feels natural to me — but it wasn’t always like that.

In my twenties — and even into my early thirties — I was often rushing, constantly socialising, and lacking the discipline to stay grounded or organised. I’d go out drinking with friends, stay up too late, and sleep through the mornings. Hangovers were regular, and I rarely made space to check in with how I was really feeling.

When I wasn’t out, I’d veg on the couch for hours watching TV, or throw myself into something new for a little while before quickly losing interest. I struggled to follow through, to create structure, or to keep my space feeling calm or organised.

Some of those patterns followed me for longer than I’d like to admit — but it was in my thirties that things slowly began to change. I started to become more mindful of how I was living, how I was feeling, and what I wanted to give my time and energy to.

I didn’t realise, back then, that I’d made my world small — repetitive, disconnected, and a little flat. I wasn’t aware of what I was missing.

The Shifts That Changed Me

There were several moments that gently changed the course of my life.

One came in my late twenties, when I signed up for a 5K challenge at work. I hadn’t run in years, and even 1K felt impossible at first. But with a small group of supportive colleagues, we trained together, cheered each other on — and made it happen. That one run led to a 10K, a 15K, and eventually half marathons.

In the years that followed, more shifts began to unfold. I tried a yoga class near work — awkward, confused, completely out of my comfort zone — but something about it intrigued me. I started commuting on weekends just to attend more classes. Months later, I booked my first solo trip: a yoga retreat in India. There, I met Leah — who remains a close friend to this day — and from that moment, yoga became a guiding thread in my life. I’ve since trained as a yoga teacher, led hundreds of classes, and always seek out classes wherever I go.

And then there was travel and volunteering — where I stepped far outside what was familiar. I met people and communities that shaped how I see the world. These experiences gave me a sense of purpose I hadn’t known I was looking for and opened me up to better understand the importance of wellbeing, connection, and humanity.

Curiosity, movement, and connection became both my medicine and my mindset..

Trusting the Feeling to Go Further

After my friend Colby flew home, I stayed in Nepal for a few more weeks on my own. I’d planned some solo travel — time to explore quietly, reflect, and see what unfolded.

One day, while wandering through a mountain village, I spotted a small cave temple high on a hillside. I didn’t know exactly what was there — but something in me wanted to find out.

The next day, I set off on my own to hike up. The climb was quiet, steep, and solitary. I hadn’t packed snacks and was low on energy, but when I finally reached the top, I was greeted by a monk who had been living there for 17 years. I asked, a little shyly, if I could have something to eat — and he kindly offered coffee, biscuits, and a bowl of sweet rice.

We sat together in stillness, quietly drinking tea and looking out over the valley I’d walked up from.

That simple, kind, beautiful moment gave me the energy I needed to return down the mountain. But more than that — it filled something in me that no plan or recommendation ever could have offered.

If I hadn’t followed that quiet curiosity — if I hadn’t taken those extra steps — I would’ve missed it all. The view, the stillness, the kindness, the perspective. That moment was waiting for me… but I had to go that little bit further to find it.

Let Curiosity Lead You

Staying curious doesn’t require money, a passport, or a high-flying life. It asks for presence. A little effort. A willingness to veer off the path, even slightly.

Maybe that means walking an extra kilometer. Or stepping into a room where you don’t know anyone. Or reading about a subject you don’t quite understand but feel drawn to explore.

You never know what might be waiting…A view. A conversation. A moment of clarity. A version of yourself you’ve never met before.

Stay curious. Go a little further. Something beautiful might be waiting for you to arrive.