I really didn’t know what to do with my life. Even today I still struggle. This one thing helped me get over the feeling of being lost: I started to think like a child.
As a former corporate marketer I had built a life of rigid structure and tedious routines and thought all my creativity had been lost. I had no energy and I was stressed at the end of every day.
When I decided to quit my job with no solid financial plan, I regained some of my child-like energy and felt just a little more fearless. As adults we often forget what fearlessness is like. Children can swing on the monkey bars and scrape their elbows like it’s no one’s business. That’s what I want back in my life. That’s how I want to be for the rest of my life: fearless.
Children like to try things. After quitting I decided to try my hands at designing t-shirts. Then I created some courses. Then I recorded original electronic dance music. I kept trying things until I would find something I really enjoy: writing children’s books.
In addition, children fail and don’t let it bother them to the same extent as adults. I decided not to dwell on my failures. I pushed through and pivoted without letting the shame of starting something new affect me.
With no experience in the world of children’s books, I created anyway. Children don’t set limitations, why should I? Some people just write and hire an illustrator, or vice versa. I took it a step further and did both, digitally.
I wrote, illustrated and published 9 books in less than a month. I approached the process with a wild enthusiasm and excitement typically only seen from a child.
Now I have fun. I do what I enjoy and stop what I don’t. I get bored like a child and often create new ways of enjoying my work. I never let a routine dictate my life anymore.
If you’re in the process of figuring out your life, stop and head over to a playground. Observe how fearless these children are. Don’t overthink the idea of going down that swirly slide or swinging on those monkey bars. If a six-year-old can approach life with such enthusiasm, why can’t adults too?
Somewhere along the way (maybe school and work), we are told there are rules in life. Well children love breaking rules. You should break some too.
Be more like a kid. Scrape your elbows, make a mess, try everything that comes to mind. If you live your life like a child you will be more excited to wake up in the morning.