This Month in Life Design: Get Curious (About Yourself)
There’s a power in asking questions about who we are and what we’re here to do. Too often, we settle into routines and focus on expectations, letting them shape us without fully exploring who we are and how we want to live our lives. Yet, one of the most powerful tenets of Life Design is this: Get Curious. It’s an invitation to step back from what you think you know and start exploring yourself with fresh eyes, asking, “Who am I?”
Get Curious examines what drives us and how our values, identities, strengths, and interests connect. This practice is both grounding and liberating, helping us see ourselves more clearly and make choices that align with who we are. To get curious is to see our lives not as fixed paths but as canvases for exploration and growth. Put aside the question, “What do I want to become?” and embrace, “How do I want to move through life?”
Curiosity begins with your values—the principles that serve as your inner compass. As Jan Stassen describes them, values are “situation-independent decision helpers,” guiding us through moments when we need direction. Knowing your values helps clarify why specific actions and opportunities resonate with you. For example, you might be committed to integrity, driven by creativity, or passionate about helping others. Defining these values is critical to helping you decide how to spend your time.
Next, consider your identities—the roles and perspectives shaping how you see the world. You might be a first-generation college student, an athlete, an eldest child, or neurodiverse. Embracing these identities doesn’t limit you; it honors all the dimensions of who you are and allows you to determine how you might want to show up in particular spaces authentically.
Then, consider your strengths. Each of us has talents, though they’re not always obvious. Maybe it’s problem-solving, empathy, or clear communication. Recognizing these strengths provides tools for crafting a meaningful life. One of my strengths is competition, which helps me understand what motivates me and excites me. A little competitive spirit on my journey to a particular outcome will make my work and play more enjoyable.
Finally, pay attention to your interests—the things that energize you. These could be connecting with people, exploring new ideas, or creating something original. Your interests, no matter how small, offer clues to what can bring fulfillment if you follow them.
If you’re ready to start exploring who you are, ask yourself questions in each area, or leverage some great tools and resources. Not sure which values you hold? Check out this free Values Card Sorter. Want to explore your many identities? Check out our version of an Identity Wheel. Gallup has a really robust Strengths Finder for as little as $25. And as far as interests are concerned, think about the passions and hobbies you enjoy the most.
Curiosity should be a constant companion, not a single event, allowing you to shape your life continually. With each discovery, you live a life with an even greater sense of purpose. Move forward mindfully, knowing each insight brings you nearer to a life that genuinely reflects who you are and, more importantly, informs how you want to move through life.
-Matthew Golden
Assistant Vice Provost
Undergraduate & Masters Life Design
