One of my supervisors once suggested that medical students should be curious about the world. We should watch movies, read books, attend concerts, try hobbies, listen to songs; anything to broaden our experience. The more unconventional the space, the better. I thought this was decent advice but didn’t think too much of it.

A few weeks later, a patient with depression was admitted onto the ward. We found out on her history that she hadn’t smiled in weeks and spent most days locked in her room.

I watched as my supervisor assessed her, asking a range of open questions, until stumbling upon a shared esoteric interest: how to grow a particular type of chilli. Immediately, the patient grew more animated, speaking rapidly and with greater fervour. After my supervisor shared a story about a certain type of soil, the patient gave a great long laugh.

It cut through the room like light engulfing darkness.