Here’s a question for you:

If you lived to be 100, who would you want to become along the way?

Not just how long you live—but how well you live.

More and more of us are embracing the idea of the “100-year life.” Thanks to medical advances, lifestyle awareness, and shifting cultural expectations, many women in their 50s and 60s are only halfway through their story. But living longer isn’t the goal on its own. What we really want is to stay vibrant, sharp, and joyful as the decades roll on.

And guess what?

Curiosity just might be the secret ingredient.

Curiosity Isn’t Just a Trait—It’s a Lifeline

You might think of curiosity as something simple, even childlike. But science and psychology both tell us it’s much more than that. Curiosity directly influences longevity, healthspan, relationships, and personal growth.

• It sharpens your brain.
• It deepens your connections.
• It fuels your evolution.

Curiosity keeps you engaged with life. And engagement is what keeps you alive in life.

Let’s explore how this plays out in real, meaningful ways.

1. Curiosity and Brain Health

Neurologists and researchers have long linked cognitive activity to healthier aging. But what’s even more compelling is that curiosity itself seems to protect the brain.

• A study in the journal Psychology and Aging found that people with higher levels of curiosity were more likely to maintain cognitive function throughout their lives.
• Curious people engage in novel activities, which create new neural pathways—keeping the brain more adaptable and resilient.

Imagine waking up each day the thinking, “What might I discover today?” That single thought activates your brain in a way that passivity never could.

2. Curiosity and Relationships

Let’s be honest—relationships can go stale when we assume we know everything about the other person. But curiosity breathes life back in.

Whether it’s your spouse, friends, adult children, or new connections, staying curious keeps your relationships fresh. It encourages deeper questions, playful exploration, and open-hearted understanding.

• Ask: “What lights them up right now?”
• Or even better: “What’s changing in me that I want to share with them?”

Curiosity invites connection. And connection fuels emotional health and longevity more than almost anything, especially as we age.

3. Curiosity and Purposeful Growth

When you stop learning, you stop expanding. And when expansion stops, stagnation sneaks in.

But you, dear reader, are not designed for stagnation.

Curiosity is your soul’s way of saying, “More, please.” More joy. More discovery. More purpose.

Having something to look forward to, something to learn, something to create—these are the cornerstones of a life well-lived. They give you energy. Direction. And most importantly, hope.

Want to live to 100 with your spirit intact? Stay curioous. follow the questions that light you up.

Welcome to the 100-Year Mindset

Here’s the mindset shift:

Rather than counting down the years, what if you started building the life you want to live at 90… starting now?

• What passions could still be uncovered?
• What version of yourself is waiting to emerge in her 70s? 80s? 90s?
• What if curiosity is the bridge to becoming her?

The 100-year mindset isn’t about fearlessly chasing youth. It’s about deeply embracing personal evolution. It’s about becoming more you—year after year after year.

Your Invitation: Ask Bold Questions

This week, I invite you to adopt the 100-year mindset by asking yourself bold, beautiful questions:

• What am I still curious about?
• What haven’t I tried… yet?
• What new version of myself could emerge in this next decade?

Write your answers. Reflect on them. Let them shape your next steps. Because you are not finished becoming. Not even close.

Final Thought: Stay Curious, Stay Alive

Science confirms what the soul already knows—curiosity is life-giving. It expands your brain, enriches your relationships, and sustains your purpose.

So as you walk forward in this chapter (and the many still to come), let your curiosity lead the way.

Because your life isn’t winding down. It’s opening up.

And your next grand discovery is only one question away.