Rediscover the childlike wonder within you & reclaim your creative flow

(Photo credits: @helena_wlt on Instagram)

“That’s the real trouble with the world. Too many people grow up. They forget.” - Walt Disney

All life begins with us, from the moment we are born. We are endowed with vitality; our creative powers expressing itself with every cry, purr and mew we make. There is curiosity to discover the world around us; the desire to touch, to feel, to see and to experience. They say never forget what it means to be a child, for a child has the surest wisdom. We adults have lost that wide-eyed curiosity as we grew up. In a consumer and materialist society that prioritises money and power over the deeper meaning in life, we have been groomed by schools and society to be the economy’s robots, losing the precious connection with our childlike self. How did it all begin?

The awe of wonder

Awe is one of the most basic expressions of life. Once, a long time ago, before we became pragmatic adults, the smallest things were capable of amazing and igniting a sense of wonder within us. As children, we possessed an endless curiosity and an eagerness to explore new things. We would be fascinated by the tiniest of details in our environment—like the intricate patterns on a leaf or the graceful fluttering of a butterfly's wings—and we found joy in the most ordinary of experiences. Even the discovery of a shiny stone or a distinct insect could bring us immense happiness and enthusiasm. The world was once an endless source of wonder for us; we marvelled at its beauty and complexity.

Are we just a cog in the wheel?

As we grew up, we were trained slowly but surely, to be responsible, practical and disciplined individuals becoming increasingly focused on practical matters such as education, career, and financial stability. Crying through our growing pains, we are told to dry our tears and be strong. We may get punished for being playful and praised for following the instructions of our parents and teachers. The pressure to achieve certain goals and expectations can distract us from the beauty of the world around us, while daily responsibilities consume our time and energy.

These experiences, while justified in the name of practicality and pragmatism, can lead to a sense of detachment from the world around us, as we become more focused on our own personal concerns and less attuned to life beyond our immediate surroundings. We may find ourselves unwittingly prioritising productivity over exploration and efficiency over discovery, losing touch with our sense of awe for life. 

Our creative faculties begin within us

Yet despite these challenges, it is possible to reclaim our childhood innocence and reconnect with the beauty of the world around us. 

Our innate sense of wonder is the driving force of curiosity and exploration, one that fuels our desire to uncover and understand the universe. It is the spark that ignites our interest in discovering new things and it inspires us to delve deeper into areas that we don't yet know. Being in awe opens us up to new ideas—we are less constrained by preconceived notions or limiting beliefs and are more willing to embrace the unknown. This sense of openness and receptivity is essential for fostering creativity. It opens the heart and mind to imagination—the very seat of creative power within us—and allows us to find ingenious solutions to aggravating challenges. Possibilities spring from this never-ending well.

In embracing our sense of wonder, we become better equipped to navigate the challenges and opportunities that life throws at us—our life is transformed from a state of dreary existence to one of choice and empowerment. With a conscious effort to cultivate a sense of exploration, we rediscover the joy that comes with a life of sparkling curiosity.

Reconnecting to our childlike self

The journey to reconnect with our sense of wonder can be difficult, especially when we have been separated for a long time. But if we feel lost, we don’t have to look very far, for just around the corner, is a source of inspiration and wisdom—a mewling baby in a pram or a giggling child at a playground. Even though babies can’t say a word and children don’t have the vocab to explain themselves, their presence contains boundless wisdom we can learn from. The innate curiosity they exhibit at seeing new things, their receptive response to a surprising sound and even their need to be fed and soothe, are all humanity’s wisdom contained in a baby—one that we have long since forgotten in our effort to grow up. 

A few questions to ask ourselves, “What is the child feeling when she is looking at the leaves on the ground?”, “When she trips and falls, what is behind her cries?” or “What is he feeling when he fusses for milk?”. Behind the answers to these ordinary questions, lie the path back to our inner child; the feelings that appear are the guiding force that leads us back to our common humanity. They remind us of the times when life was simpler and straightforward, where every experience is an opportunity to relish and to be present in the moment. We may witness their wonder and joy at the simplest things. We may also recognise the fear, pain, and frustration in their cries, recalling us to the vulnerability and resilience we once displayed as children.

Indeed, as we reconnect with our inner child, we tap into our own enduring wisdom about what it means to be human. These resilient traits have long served humanity on our journey through time and will continue to do so—deeply supporting us through our ups and downs like a best friend—for as long as we embrace them.

You are the creative spark

Even as life often has a way of interrupting us, we only need to remember one simple fact—that we were all once born as babies and as such have access to humanity’s wisdom. In fact, we already possess the spark within ourselves, even as we often look for it elsewhere through forms of external validation or fulfilment. The journey begins with the recognition that what we seek is not external, but already pulsing inside us, just waiting to be rediscovered. 

The creative spark and indeed all of humanity’s inherent wisdom lies deep within us, just as surely as we were all once a baby. 

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Food for thought: When was the last time you visit a playground or played with children?