We’ve all heard the line “curiosity killed the cat,” usually said by someone trying to stop us from poking around, asking questions, or exploring something new. But here’s the fun part: the original proverb never said that.

Back in the 1500s, the phrase was actually “care killed the cat.”

“Care” meaning worry, stress, sorrow — the heaviness of life, not curiosity. It wasn’t until later that it morphed into “curiosity killed the cat,” mostly as a warning to keep people (especially kids) from being nosey.

And just to make things more interesting, the full saying — the part everyone seems to forget — is this:
“Curiosity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought it back.”

So no, curiosity never actually killed anything.
If anything, it’s the very thing that brings us back to life.

Curiosity is the spark that nudges us to explore something new, ask better questions, and step into possibilities we didn’t even know were waiting for us. It’s behind every great idea, every bold decision, every unexpected breakthrough. Without curiosity, we don’t grow. We don’t stretch. We don’t discover what we’re truly capable of.

And when you think about it, every meaningful shift in your life probably started with a simple moment of wondering.

What if I tried this?
What if I changed that?
What if there’s something more for me here?

That’s curiosity doing what it does best. It’s not reckless or dangerous — it’s an invitation. A gentle nudge toward something bigger, clearer, and truer.

And as we step into a new year, that invitation feels especially powerful.

My wish for you in the year ahead is that your curiosity leads you somewhere amazing. I hope it takes you to new levels of achievement, joy, and confidence. I hope it helps you build deeper relationships and discover new passions. I hope it pulls you toward experiences that make you feel more alive, more connected, and more aligned with the life you’re creating.

Curiosity isn’t something to tame. It’s something to follow.

Let it guide you.

Let it stretch you.

Let it surprise you.

Because the moments when you lean into your curiosity are often the moments that change everything.

Here’s to a new year filled with wonder, growth, discovery, and all the happiness and love that come from staying endlessly, enthusiastically curious.

Stay curious, friends — and thank you for remaining curious with me!

Aileen