When we’re kids, we use our imagination all the time. We dream of fairies and giants living in fields of green or trucks with jet engines that go really fast. We read books and allow ourselves to be taken to other worlds. But as we age, our imagination goes away. We don’t use it as much.
As a kid, our parents and teachers ask “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Some answer policeman or fireman, astronaut or scientist, or even dancer or circus performer. Some of those answers may seem outlandish and as a result our parents and teachers may encourage us. But as we get older, that same encouragement may turn a corner.
As teenagers, we get asked what college we’re going to apply to or what job we want to do [for the rest of our life]. At this stage, dreaming and imagination may still be implanted in us. But the reality is, those wild dreams we have may be shunned and we’re set out on a path toward education and work.
As adults, using our imagination or dreaming big can be frowned upon because it is instilled in us that we have to work. We have to work in order to support our families, buy a house, have 2.5 kids and pay off that massive mountain of college debt. Why is imagination left out in the adult stage? Some people still have that imagination. For most of us, it’s non-existent.
When I started to really dream and use my imagination, my husband thought I was crazy. Flash forward a few years later and he’s totally into it. But it took him time. We both grew up in the time where we were told we had to go to school, get a job, find a partner, have kids and live out our lives in this routine forever. Because of my imagination, we’re changing that mindset and recreating the mold for our lives.
I challenge you to think about recreating the mold for you life and making it a life that you design. Dream big, like Empire State building big, and make your dreams a reality. Share your biggest dream in the comments and lets make it happen!