I’m sitting on a low bench outside the laundromat where I come weekly to wash the same towels and socks. Across the street every tree has revealed its verdant foliage. It’s June. I feel particularly responsible for checking in with myself this time of the year. Where are we going? What have we done? It’s not a moment of critique rather an opportunity of recalibration. The motto for this mood reads, “accountability for accountability's sake.” My entertainment indulgence lately is quick 25 minute or less videos on YouTube. As I refreshed the homepage a video from JW Anderson (London based fashion brand) emerged about how the designer (Jonathan Anderson) prioritizes curiosity. Last year I set a goal to remain curious because it allows me to be open. This year I convinced myself that I graduated beyond curiosity and I would approach new goals. I admire Jonathan Anderson. He possesses an incredibly open mind. He heads JW Anderson and Loewe. To hear him vocalize the importance of curiosity gave me an internal pang to not narrow in my thoughts. Half way through this year, I’m dusting off my shelves and revisiting curiosity.
I used to be so damned about my work and personal growth. The pitfalls were centered around the speed things were not happening or longed for achievements feeling out of reach. There’s something about curiosity though. It has staying power. When I’m not my healthiest, rigidity conquers my judgment. Mental agility is curiosity. With six months left to go in this year, I owe it to myself to remain as curious as possible.
Not to get all “Eat, Pray, Love,” up in here but I do fantasize saying to hell with it and traveling/living abroad. I don’t know what it is about throwing your hands up in the air and yearning to restart. I love taking my temperature and evaluating it. There’s a holistic way I can understand my choices and surprise myself by choosing differently as a next step. I'm trying to eliminate “magical thinking” because life events aren’t as serendipitous as I’ve made them out to be. “Things are meant to be'' isn't a strong case. Just this week I fell down the stairs at my job. As it was happening I said aloud, “I can’t believe I just fell down the stairs.” I used to see events like this as a sign. As scary as it was to fall, it offers nothing of substance outside of precaution and luck that I’m okay.
Wrapping everything up in a pretty little bow would be to inform you that I am now curious about the symbolism of falling. Contrary to popular opinion, falling, as embarrassing as it is, is taking a “mask” off. Once you’ve slipped your cards are on display. Even though your heart skips a beat when you fall, the adrenaline wakes you up. Timely as I see it, the halfway mark for 2024 has me wanting to embrace more risk and take deep breaths of the curious kind. Jonathan Anderson and his teams curate many collections throughout the year. They ask questions, vulnerable to their own creative process. They don’t know where their muse is headed, only curious. The next six months have a big question mark hanging over them. I write freehand daily about big dreams to manifest and compassed by my values. What sticks, I don’t know. It’s thrilling to be just curious.
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to CHEZ CHEZ ROBERT to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.