For a long time, my inner voice wasn’t kind.
It was loud.
Demanding.
Constantly pointing out what I hadn’t done yet.
I told myself I should’ve achieved more by now.
Should’ve figured things out sooner.
Should’ve been further along.
And no matter how much I did, it never felt like enough.
✨ When Self-Criticism Feels Like Motivation
I used to believe being hard on myself would push me forward.
That if I kept reminding myself of what I lacked, eventually I’d become better, stronger, more accomplished.
But all it really did was keep me stuck.
Criticism didn’t inspire growth — it created shame.
And shame has a way of shutting curiosity down completely.
✨ Letting Curiosity Take the Lead
This year , I stopped asking, “Why am I not better?”
And started asking, “What am I interested in?”
That shift changed everything.
Curiosity doesn’t demand perfection.
It invites exploration.
It allows room for learning without pressure.
Instead of judging myself for not reading enough, I started asking what I wanted to read.
Instead of criticizing myself for not knowing more, I let myself enjoy learning for the sake of it.
✨ Wanting to Be a Reader (Without the Rules)
I’ve always wanted to be “a reader.”
But for years, I carried an idea of what that was supposed to look like — long books, serious topics, constant consistency.
That pressure made reading feel like a task instead of a joy.
Now?
I let myself read what I’m curious about.
I let audiobooks count.
I let unfinished books go without guilt.
Reading doesn’t have to prove anything.
It just has to feel good.
✨ Loving Animals & Learning for Fun
One thing I’ve never lost is my love for animals.
Learning animal facts lights something up in me — the way their instincts work, how they adapt, how they survive, how they communicate.
There’s no end goal.
No productivity metric.
Just wonder.
And that wonder reminds me that learning doesn’t have to lead anywhere — it can be enough on its own.
✨ Curiosity Over Comparison
Comparison used to drain me.
Seeing what others were doing, achieving, becoming — it made me feel small and behind.
Curiosity changed that.
Instead of asking why I wasn’t like them, I started asking what I wanted to explore.
Curiosity doesn’t compare.
It doesn’t rush.
It doesn’t judge.
It gently says, “Let’s see.”
✨ Teaching My Kids a Different Way
One of the biggest reasons I’m choosing curiosity is my kids.
I don’t want them growing up believing their worth is tied to achievement.
I want them to feel safe asking questions.
Safe learning slowly.
Safe trying things without being perfect.
When they see me learning, reading, exploring, and wondering — they learn that growth can be joyful.
✨ Final Thought
I’m done being my harshest critic.
I’m choosing to be curious instead.
Curiosity asks softer questions.
Curiosity leaves room to breathe.
Curiosity grows without shame.
And right now, that kindness is exactly what I need.
🌙✨
