How curiosity rewires your mind for change
How curiosity rewires your mind for change
By Anne-Laure Le Cunff | Published: 2025-05-12 14:18:00 | Source: Smart Skills – Big Think
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A few years ago, I decided to retrain as a neuroscientist. It was a leap into the unknown – no road map, just a desire to grow. I chose to approach this time of change with curiosity, and began a weekly newsletter to document what I had learned. Suddenly, my doubts became fuel for discovery.
What I didn’t know at the time was that this systemic curiosity was actively reshaping my brain in ways that would build the resilience needed to deal with future changes.
Curiosity is often treated as a quirky personality trait – something childish, playful, and perhaps even optional. But neuroscience paints a different picture. When we feel curious, the brain’s dopamine system — the same system that lights up when we expect a reward — kicks into action. Simply put, curiosity makes us feel good about the prospect of discovering something new.
It also helps us learn more efficiently, enhancing hippocampal activity and enhancing our ability to form and retain new memories. studies displays That when people are curious about a topic, they not only remember the specific information they were interested in, but they also retain unrelated material better.
Perhaps most importantly, curiosity promotes neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to rewire itself in response to new experiences. This makes it an ideal cognitive state for the inevitable moments of change when we need to break established neural patterns and make new connections.
Curiosity in a time of change
Change by nature brings uncertainty. The human brain typically responds to uncertainty by activating the amygdala, which triggers the same stress responses as physical danger.
What curiosity does is turn this uncertainty from a threat into an invitation.
First, curiosity increases our tolerance for prediction error: the gap between what we expect and what we actually experience. This makes us more flexible in our thinking, less reactive, and better at updating our mental models.
There is also a balancing process that occurs between two main networks in the brain: the default mode network (associated with imagination and introspection) and the executive control network (responsible for goal-directed behavior) often alternate.
Curiosity helps synchronize these networks, allowing us to envision possibilities while also taking action—a delicate balance required to navigate change.
Emotionally, curiosity can also act as a barrier. When we look at an unexpected situation through a curious lens (“What can I learn from this?”), we are less likely to fall into a state of anxiety or avoidance. This cognitive reframing can dramatically change the way we experience the uncertainty inherent in change.
5 ways to navigate change with curiosity
Curiosity is not a fixed trait that you possess or lack, but rather a cognitive skill that can be developed. Here are five ways to cultivate it, especially in times of change:
1. Ask “what if?” Instead of “What now?”
Reframe fear-based responses with questions that invite exploration. Instead of, “I don’t know how to approach this new role,” try, “What if I approached this role as a learning opportunity?” This simple shift activates your prefrontal cortex instead of your amygdala, which will help reduce stress in times of change.
2. Take field notes
Pretend to be you An anthropologist studies your private life. Document what surprised you, what you don’t understand yet, or what gave you pause during the day. Be specific: “Today I noticed X and wondered why…” This practice builds the habit of curiosity and has the added benefit of creating a record of your learning journey.
3. Conduct small experiments
Do you want to switch careers? Interview someone new to the field every week for six weeks. Curious about writing? Start with a weekly newsletter for three months instead of a book. these Small experiments It will provide valuable data while helping you regain a sense of strength even when the path forward is uncertain.
4. Embrace not knowing
Practice saying “I don’t know yet” without immediately searching for an answer. Spend time exploring the questions without jumping to conclusions. research suggests This enhances cognitive flexibility and creative problem solving, which are important neural functions that support adaptation during transitions.
5. Treat failure as data
When something doesn’t go as planned, resist calling it a failure. Instead, treat unexpected results as valuable information. By viewing setbacks as an inevitable part of growth rather than an indicator of personal shortcomings, you can turn potentially frustrating moments into learning opportunities.
It is important to note that the brain’s capacity for curiosity fluctuates. Amygdala activity increases under stress, making it more difficult to access curiosity when it would be most beneficial. That’s why regularly practicing small shifts in perspective can be helpful for training ourselves to re-engage our prefrontal cortex.
We often think of change as something to be endured. But change is how we grow. Curiosity activates dopamine pathways, strengthens hippocampal function, improves memory formation, and increases tolerance for errors in prediction, enhancing our ability to navigate uncertainty with greater flexibility and less reactivity.
So, next time you’re facing big change and feeling anxious or stuck, try asking yourself a simple question: What if you felt curious instead?
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