Keeping a childish mindset
When we were young, people told us to stop being so childish and that we needed to grow up. That the things we enjoy as a child will not be acceptable when we get older. But as I age, I feel like it is the opposite. Life finds a way to make us grow up and forget the thoughts that made us children. We forget about the wild curiosity we had, the imagination that came up with the impossible, and the sense of wonder. If that is the effect of losing our childish mindset, is it worth it? I argue that having this mindset isn't a bad thing and that it is an important skill to have.
What is a childish mindset
When I say childish mindset, I don’t mean being an immature little kid. I mean to go back to a time when everything seemed possible, your imagination helped you see the impossible, being curious about everything and anything. This doesn’t mean you are immature, but it is letting your imagination run wild. When I look around me and people who are older than me, it’s almost like they forgot how to think and only stick to what is known. I am not saying that is wrong or bad, but is it not worth visiting your childhood self again?
I did not come up with this idea myself. Zach King, a videographer and influencer gave a TedTalk about why as adults, we lose our sense of wonder while our children can look at something and imagine it to be anything. This made me pursue this topic and explore the benefits of letting our imagination wander.
This doesn't mean you should be immature. There is a big difference between being immature and having a childish mindset. When we are immature it means we don't know how to act and behave ourselves. But to me, having a childish mindset is a way of thinking, and we are aware of our behavior. I am writing about this because, for the longest time, people have told me I need to grow up and be a bit more mature. But, I have always thought and wondered about different things, and sometimes it's the unimaginable. It is what makes me who I am, and it helps me create new ideas. I found that being authentic and being who you are is an important trait.
Why is it important
When we get stuck in our own ways, it’s hard to see a different way. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing; there is a reason certain things work. But to break out, and create something new requires a different way of thinking, and that means having a different mindset. When we can wonder and imagine the unimaginable again, it opens new routes and creates new opportunities. I believe this is why it's important to let our wonder take control. To imagine and think of new opportunities and ideas.
Jeff Bezos, who got a degree in computer science, could have gone down the road to be a software engineer but decided to sell books online. He then started pivoting into online sales of anything and everything. Now, he owns a multi-billion-dollar company, and I'm sure it all started with a wild idea. When we let ourselves think, we can create amazing things, and while it may seem crazy at first, it could be the next billion-dollar idea.
It can also benefit our personal life because let's be honest, not all of us can create a billion-dollar company (sorry to say). When we are at work, we may need a new idea to solve current problems. It shows that you are able to take initiative and the ability to solve problems. It also helps provide excitement in what could be a boring work life, being curious and wondering what can be improved or looking ahead to innovate the current process. All of this is possible when we let our wonder and imagination take control once in a while.
Again, this isn't a PSA to be childish and go do whatever you want. But a reminder to imagine, to wonder, to create something different. I do think it's important to be aware of your responsibilities and be smart about your decisions. But when we find the balance between our childish mindset and the realities of life; it can lead to new adventures and new fun ideas.