An Introvert’s Guide To Pursuing What Fascinates You

There are few things more delightful than becoming unexpectedly interested in something.

One minute you're going about your ordinary day; the next, you're wondering why Victorian houses had such peculiar little rooms, how olive oil is actually made, whether you could learn to identify birds by their calls, or what exactly makes a particular shade of blue feel so comforting.

You don't know where the question came from. You don't particularly need an answer. But suddenly, you want one.

For an introvert, this kind of fascination can be a small pleasure all its own. We tend to have plenty of practice following our thoughts inward. Why not occasionally follow them somewhere new?

1. Let yourself be interested

There's a subtle pressure, especially as adults, to justify our interests.

What are you going to do with that?

Nothing, perhaps.

You can read about medieval gardens because medieval gardens are interesting. You can take a pottery class and never become a potter. You can learn three chords on the guitar and never play them for anyone.

Interest doesn't have to become achievement.

2. Notice what keeps tugging at you

Sometimes fascination isn't dramatic. It's the things you keep returning to.

A particular book on your nightstand.

A subject you always click on.

A museum exhibit you can't stop thinking about.

A recipe you want to try.

A place you've bookmarked for the fourth time.

You could suggest keeping a little “Things I'm Curious About” list—not a goals list, not a bucket list. Just a place to catch those little sparks before everyday life sweeps them away.

3. Follow the rabbit hole

Give yourself an afternoon to go down the rabbit hole.

Read the book.

Watch the documentary.

Visit the garden.

Go to the museum.

Look up the etymology.

Buy the inexpensive watercolor set.

Make the obscure soup.

And most importantly: don't worry about whether you're doing it correctly.

The joy is partly in being a beginner.

4. Make room for "pointless" interests

There's enormous value in having parts of your life that aren't productive.

We need things that don't improve our résumés.

A fascination can simply make Tuesday afternoon more interesting.

And perhaps that's not pointless at all.

5. Let your interests change

An introvert's tendency toward deep interest can sometimes make us feel as though we're supposed to commit to something.

But you don't have to.

Maybe you spend six months obsessed with gardening, then become fascinated by architecture, then spend an inexplicably happy weekend learning about mushrooms.

You are allowed to be a person with many small fascinations rather than one grand passion.

6. Follow fascination into the world

If you're fascinated by architecture, go look at buildings.

If you're fascinated by flowers, visit a botanical garden.

If you're curious about astronomy, go outside on a clear night.

Introversion doesn't have to mean staying home. The world is full of quiet ways to be curious.

And that opens the door to a lovely distinction: You don't have to be adventurous in the loud, conventional sense.

You can be an adventurer of attention.