As children, we’re encouraged to be curious—to question everything. There’s a reason toddlers respond to so many of our statements with an insistent “Why?” We’re naturally wired to seek understanding. Formal education nurtures this trait, though often within a structured framework. However, I’ve noticed that as we grow older, asking questions isn’t always celebrated. Instead, it can come off as ignorant, offensive, or just plain difficult. Society tends to favour the status quo, and questioning it—no matter how innocent—can feel like an act of rebellion.
The purpose of this blog post isn’t to provide all the answers. It’s to remind us that, contrary to what we might have believed as kids, adults don’t know everything. It’s also a reassurance that it’s perfectly okay to keep questioning life as we move forward.
Ideally, these questions spark discovery or even lead to action that addresses the very issues we’re curious about. When we question things and start that critical thinking process we form opinions, ideas, and beliefs that shape who we are and how we interact with the world. Without questioning, we risk becoming passive, easily manipulated, and living lives that serve others’ interests rather than our own.
I hope my list inspires you to create your own. This list should and will change throughout your life, and that’s beautiful. What a privilege it will be to look back on this list in a few years and realize how much I’ve grown, and I hope you’ll find the same sense of progress in your own journey.
30 Life Question I have as an Almost 30-Year-Old:
- Why does my passport get to dictate the opportunities I have in life? – This has been the million-dollar question that has followed my entire twenties. From travel limitations to career deal breakers, it seems that my lovely Ecuadorian passport tends to close more doors than open them.
- Why has finding a job become so difficult even with experience, education, and ambition? – I refuse to accept that it’s just a “complicated job market” now.
- Why do we keep ignoring the gravity of climate change when its impacts are staring us in the face? – Even from a capitalistic point of view, doesn’t ensuring planet longevity guarantee long-term returns?
- Why do we feel pressured to have a definitive “life purpose” when our interests and passions evolve over time? – Some people do feel it, and that’s great for them, but I would say the majority of people don’t have a consistent purpose that dictates their every move.
- Why can’t we tickle ourselves? – We’ve all tried and we’ve all failed.
- Why do we care so much about what strangers think of us, when we’ll probably never see them again? – Yet, we often don’t place enough importance on what the people who actually matter think about us.
- How is it that can we remember a random childhood memory so vividly, but not recall what we had for dinner last Tuesday? – I get it with big things like traumas or happy “core” memories, but why can I describe the time I had Honey Bunches of Oats while watching “High 5” in our living room with my little brother?
- Why can I instantly be completely myself with some people and feel like a completely different person with others? – I honestly have no idea if I’m an extrovert or introvert for this very reason. I can be high energy, life of the party from the get-go, or the quietest person you’ve met on the same night.
- Why do we tolerate a system where billionaires gain wealth exponentially while the poor can’t break free from generational poverty? – The rich are the minority, so from a numbers perspective, we should be able to change this.
- Why is being “busy” considered a badge of honour, when it often just means we’re too stressed and distracted to enjoy life? – A successful schedule seems to be one that is impossibly packed and leads to burnout.
- Why do we treat homelessness as an inevitable reality rather than a solvable problem in a world where we produce more homes than people who need them? – Absolutely no one benefits from homelessness. Not the cities, the residents, not the businesses, and most importantly, not the unhoused people. Wouldn’t solving this be a win for all?
- Why are some people blessed with the most attractive faces and bodies, while others, well, they are less fortunate in that regard? – Our looks vary so much as a species. It’s not a complaint, diversity is beautiful. I just wonder why we have such a wide range of it compared to other animals who yes, have some variety but not nearly as much.
- What makes controlling others so appealing to certain groups of people? – I realize it’s tied to having power, but isn’t that ultimately a miserable way to live? Wouldn’t it be more fulfilling to focus on your own happiness instead?
- Why is the prison system so heavily focused on punishment rather than rehabilitation, even when evidence suggests the latter benefits society more? – It’s more cost-efficient, it positively impacts the economy, and it would be better for overall society. Is the prison business that much more lucrative?
- Are women truly “wired” differently from men, or have centuries of social conditioning, expectations, and gender norms simply shaped us to believe in differences that may not be rooted in biology? – I have a feeling it’s the latter.
- At what point in human history did women shift from being respected contributors in society to second-class citizens, and how did we allow those power imbalances to become ingrained over time? – Why didn’t women resist this? How is this something we’re still trying to rectify?
- Why do only some of us have an internal monologue? – And how do those who don’t have an internal voice think, make decisions… function?
- Why do our brains wake us up two minutes before the alarm rings? – How does it know the time?
- What exactly is the quantum field that forms the foundation of our universe, and can we somehow access or interact with it in a meaningful way? – I’m sure Joe Dispenza has some thoughts about this.
- Do parallel timelines truly exist, and if so, is there any way we can jump from one to the other? – I’d like to go to the abundance timeline, please.
- If many minds focus on the same intention, could we collectively manifest something? – Let’s say, global peace, equality, and happiness?
- How can you recognize and trust your instincts? – Sometimes I don’t know if it’s my instinct or an external thought, idea, or fear I’ve picked up from others.
- Where do I belong? – I don’t feel connected to one specific place or group of people. I love being independent and being able to adapt to so many places and people, but sometimes it does feel lonely, and I wish I would just belong to a bigger something.
- Will I ever not need my mom for every decision, big and small? Will I ever not feel the urge to call her when I’m sad or need help? – Not that I want to change this.
- Do we really have one person we’re meant to be with? Are soulmates real or is it possible to have deep, romantic connections with many people, it just depends on who you meet first? – Or worse, do some people lack this “other person” and are meant to be alone? Really hoping that’s not the case…
- How can we maintain hope and optimism in the face of constant challenge and negativity? – The world is kind of a scary place right now.
- Why does it feel easier to dwell on what we lack instead of appreciating what we have? – This is your reminder to practice daily gratitude.
- What are déjà vus really? – I’ve seen different theories about this and choose to believe it’s a memory from a different timeline because it’s more fun, but I have a feeling it’s not that at all.
- What do I want to be when I grow up? – Seriously, I’m almost 30 and I still don’t know.
- Why am I like this? – A question I ask myself often. Can be applied to almost any situation.
At the end of the day, I’m just a girl with many questions about life as I approach my 30s.