“Growing up doesn’t mean losing your inner child. It means finding ways to keep that sense of wonder and curiosity alive.”
The Subtle Loss of Wonder
Growing up is tricky. Somewhere between deadlines, responsibilities, and societal expectations, we’re subtly nudged to box up that inner child—the one that danced without rhythm, spoke without a filter, and dreamed without limits. Adulthood feels like it comes with a manual full of “shoulds” and “musts,” making it easy to lose sight of the simple joys that once defined us.
Making Room at the Table
But here’s the thing: growing up doesn’t mean you abandon that child. It means you make room for them at the table of life. They aren’t meant to be packed away with old toys or forgotten between the pages of childhood diaries. Instead, they’re the spark in your laughter, the glimmer in your curiosity, the fuel behind your wonder.
Outgrowing Joy vs. Embracing Curiosity
As adults, we often mistake “growing up” for “outgrowing.” Outgrowing joy, spontaneity, the audacity to ask questions without knowing all the answers. But true growth, I believe, is about building a life where our childlike spirit isn’t a relic but a resident.
In my own journey—through entrepreneurship, fatherhood, and everything in between—I’ve realized that the greatest things I’ve built weren’t driven solely by knowledge or skill. They were inspired by curiosity, a playful spirit, and that essential part of me that still wonders, “What if?”
Keeping the Spirit Alive
So, how do we keep that part alive? By allowing ourselves to marvel at small things, ask big questions, and find pockets of joy, even in the mundane. It’s not just about looking back at who we were; it’s about embracing that childlike mindset in every step forward.
Redefining Growth
Let’s redefine growing up. Let’s not just aim to succeed, but to wonder, to explore, to get a little lost now and then. Because if we’re not curious, if we’re not amazed by life’s little details, are we really living?
Loved this essay Varun. Needed to read this now.