When we are young, our dreams seem very real, and anything is possible because we have not been overwhelmed by the naysayers or bogged down with responsibility. As we get older, we are to be realistic, fed statistics about the probability of our dreams “actually” happening to us, and disillusioned by other adults… who perhaps have their versions of how our future should look.
I encourage us all to review our childhood dreams, what made us joyful and sparked our heart’s desire. In four simple steps, we can awaken our inner child, find those dreams long forgotten, reconnect, and begin to engage with them once again.
Step 1: Daydreaming
In a world in which doomscrolling (a term coined to describe scrolling the internet mindlessly for hours) is ever present, we have lost our ability to daydream and imagine. Trapped in an endless cycle of looking at what is (or at least a perception of what is), it is painstakingly obvious that this prevents us from envisioning what could be.
To hold a vision of your wildest dreams, you must give yourself the time and space to daydream. So, put away the cell phone, laptop, and any other distractions in between meetings, when taking the train or an Uber, while waiting for a friend in a coffee shop, and begin the art of daydreaming once again.
Step 2: Shoot for the Moon
The second and most important part of awakening our dream life is to make our dreams larger than life. The quote by Norman Vincent Peale comes to mind: “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.”
We must dream larger-than-life dreams. Otherwise, they are not dreams. Small, realistic, logical little goals make us feel safe. Playing it safe is the opposite of what your inner child wants—they want you to dream a magnificent dream! A dream that seems so impossible and out of reach that you feel like you are shooting for the moon!
Step 3: Drop the Bully
We all know a bully—that one person in your life who teases, diminishes, and pokes fun at your ideas (likely safely seated on the sidelines and not in the game of life). That person could have been a teacher, coach, frenemy, sibling, or boss, but frankly, it doesn’t matter who they are because that person is now you.
You are the one repeating the words of bullies in your head every time you hold yourself back from a dream you have. When you hold yourself back because you think you are not qualified or talented. Dropping the bully in your head isn’t just healing childhood trauma and saying positive affirmations, it’s taking a hard look at how that bully is working for you.
Maybe you think they are keeping you safe; if you aren’t qualified, then you never have to apply yourself. If you aren’t talented enough, then you never have to put yourself out there in the first place.
But the bully is not your protector, they are your worst enemy, and it is time you let them go. Replace the bully in your head with a real friend, with words of encouragement and questions like, “What’s the best that could happen?”
Step 4: Play
Playing as a child is one of the most freeing experiences we could have, creating games with our imagination and having different experiences every day without leaving the backyard. As adults, it seems most of what we do has to have some purpose. We play sports to get exercise or role-play to practice for a job interview. What happened to playing just for fun?
Allow yourself to play every day! You could join an improv club, draw or paint just for fun, play music, or dance. Incorporating more play into your life will allow you to operate in childlike faith and reach new heights. Getting out of your head and comfort zone to be silly, relaxed, and creative will allow more ideas to flow to and through you.
The dreamer is the one who knows that we create our reality. Put down the devices and daydream, shoot for the moon, and get outside your comfort zone and play again. What’s the best that could happen?
