The Science of Swoon: How Awe and Play Fuel Creativity and Connection

It turns out, this feeling of awe isn't just poetic. There's real science behind it.

Last year, I found myself sitting on a park bench in Paris, crying into a gluten-free baguette, eyes closed, catching the light, woozy with anxiety, and feeling something shift inside me. I felt small, in a body and life that was feeling so far outside of my control, yet simultaneously in awe of the wonder and beauty of this city that made my heart want to burst. I was quietly sitting with my sister, contemplating what parts of my life I wanted to hold onto when I returned home, and what parts I was okay letting fall away into dust.

A friend saw a picture from this moment later and said, “bb, you caught the awes.” She could see it—the light and the terror of awe that was slowly finding its way back into me. It marked the beginning of a deeper realization—that awe, creativity, and connection are the threads holding me together.

It turns out, this feeling of awe isn't just poetic. There’s real science behind it.

What Is Awe, Really?

Psychologists Dacher Keltner and Jonathan Haidt describe awe as an experience involving two key elements: perceived vastness and a need for accommodation. Vastness doesn’t have to mean standing before a mountain or staring at the ocean (though, wow); it can also be emotional or intellectual—a story that breaks open your understanding of the world, a piece of art that moves you, or a spiritual experience that leaves you speechless. These experiences shake us, challenge our worldview, and force us to accommodate something larger than what we previously knew.

In Emerson’s words, “Standing on the bare ground—my head bathed by the blithe air, and uplifted into infinite space—all mean egotism vanishes.” (I should mention the next line of this quote is "I become a transparent eyeball," which didn’t serve this girl much else except for a laugh and is the exact kind of unseriousness I appreciate.) His words capture what awe truly is: that moment when our sense of self fades, and we’re reminded of how small we are within the vastness of it all.

It’s no wonder awe is closely tied to spiritual or profound experiences. People who’ve taken psychedelics often describe a sense of “ego death,” where their self-awareness dissolves in the presence of something overwhelmingly immense. And now, neuroscience is proving these experiences aren’t just feelings—they’re real, measurable shifts happening within the brain.

The Neuroscience of Awe: Quieting the Self

Research on the brain’s default mode network—the area responsible for our sense of self—reveals that awe actually quiets this network. It dials down the parts of the brain that fuel our constant inner chatter—those running to-do lists, worries, and plans. In moments of awe, the “I” of it all quiets down, and we become less focused on ourselves and more attuned to the world around us.

Whether you’re standing on the edge of the Pacific Ocean in Big Sur, hearing a song that brings you to tears, or watching your children make a new discovery, your sense of self shrinks. This is the magic of awe at play. And it’s not about feeling “small” in a negative way—research shows that awe actually deepens our connection to others and the world, making us more generous, compassionate, and creative.

In one study, people who experienced awe were more likely to behave generously in an economic game, choosing to share more with strangers. This shift in our brain—when our sense of self shrinks and our ability to connect with others grows—is so beautiful. Honestly, I couldn’t stop researching once I started. The science of awe, filling me with awe.

Awe in Everyday Life

Here’s my favorite part: you don’t need to travel to experience awe. Awe is accessible in the everyday moments—if we’re paying attention.

I find it in the way the light streams through my kitchen window as I make coffee in the morning, in the laughter of my kids cracking each other up in the next room, or in the sudden burst of color in the sky at sunset. These small moments are no less powerful than the “big” ones. In fact, they often remind me most that beauty and vastness are woven into the fabric of ordinary life.

Studies suggest that people open to new experiences are more likely to experience awe regularly. While that may be true, it's my unscientific opinion, awe is something you can tune yourself to. When we slow down, open our eyes, and pay attention, we begin to see awe in the little things. This practice—this noticing—is at the heart of what I call disciplined romanticism. It’s the balance of appreciating the poetry of life while showing up day after day with thoughtful care to capture it, whether in our work, relationships, or personal growth.

The Physical and Emotional Benefits of Awe

Awe doesn’t just affect our minds; it ripples through our bodies too. Research shows that awe can lower levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which are linked to chronic inflammation and disease. As an anxiety-prone, autoimmune girly, you have my full attention. Simply put, awe helps calm our bodies, reduces stress, and promotes well-being. It can even lower heart rates and give us goosebumps (the good kind).

Psychologically, awe helps us step outside ourselves. It reduces materialism, increases critical thinking, and—perhaps most importantly—makes us feel more connected to each other. In a world that feels increasingly disconnected, awe is a powerful antidote.

Why Swoon?: Awe, Play, and the Freedom of Curiosity

Awe and playfulness are deeply connected. Awe invites us to approach life with openness and curiosity—the very qualities that define play. When we engage with the world playfully, we create space for possibility, where creativity flows naturally, and connections deepen.

Research shows that awe quiets the part of our brain that’s usually caught up in our to-do lists, anxieties, and daily pressures. When that mental noise quiets down, we become more open and curious, more willing to explore what’s around us. This state of mind—where the boundaries of the self soften—creates the perfect conditions for play.

And play, at its essence, is about curiosity. It encourages us to explore without expectation, to create without worrying about perfection. It allows us to show up, try things out, and simply be present. When we embrace play, creativity emerges naturally, and we open ourselves to deeper connections with others and the world.

This cycle—where awe leads to play, play fuels creativity, and creativity deepens our sense of awe—has been on my mind a lot. It’s a reminder that when we let go of needing all the answers, we create room for growth, connection, and joy that feels real and meaningful.

Join Me in Swooning

At the heart of SWOON is this idea: embracing playfulness, curiosity, and awe as ways to show up in our creative lives and relationships. It’s about being open, paying attention, and finding beauty in both the big and small moments.

So, this is why I swoon. And I’d love for you to swoon with me. If you feel pulled to dive deeper, I’d be so happy to have you join me by subscribing for SWOON via Substack.

I’ll also be releasing follow up to this post for paid subscribers—Cultivating Quiet Awe: Tuning into Everyday Moments for Creativity, Connection, and Well-being. It’s an opportunity to dive further into how we can tune ourselves to the beauty in the everyday. If this resonates with you, consider upgrading your subscription whenever you’re ready.

However you’re here, I’m grateful. Let’s catch the awes together.

With awe,

Jessica

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Resources for this article:

1. Keltner, D., & Haidt, J. (2003). Approaching awe, a moral, spiritual, and aesthetic emotion. Cognition and Emotion, 17(2), 297-314. https://doi.org/10.1080/02699930302297

2. Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life by Dacher Keltner: Keltner, D. (2023). Awe: The new science of everyday wonder and how it can transform your life. Penguin Press.

3. Guan, F., Xiang, Y., Chen, O., Wang, W., & Chen, J. (2018). Neural basis of dispositional awe. Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, 12, 209. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnbeh.2018.00209

4. The Science of Awe by Summer Allen, Ph.D.: Allen, S. (2018). The science of awe. Greater Good Science Center, University of California, Berkeley.

   https://ggsc.berkeley.edu