When We Believed in Everything
Remember those magical days when you were absolutely convinced you'd grow up to be an astronaut, even though you were terrified of heights? Or how you'd become a world-famous chef despite your specialty being peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with the crusts carefully removed?
As kids, we lived in a world where limitations were just suggestions and the word "impossible" wasn't part of our vocabulary. We'd build elaborate cardboard castles and declare ourselves royalty of the living room kingdom, complete with a loyal subject (usually the family dog wearing a reluctant crown).
Our dreams weren't burdened by practicality or the dreaded "but how will you make money doing that?" question that seems to haunt our adult aspirations. We simply believed—with our whole hearts—that anything was possible.
We didn't need permission to chase our dreams. It was a world without imposter syndrome holding us back. We just did stuff because it was fun and that's what mattered.
The Science Behind Play
It turns out that our childhood instinct to play wasn't just about having fun—it was essential developmental work. Neuroscience now confirms what we intuitively knew as kids: play is powerful.
Research shows that playful activities stimulate neural connections and activate the brain's reward system, releasing dopamine that makes us feel good while enhancing learning and creativity. For adults, regular play has been linked to reduced stress, improved brain function, and increased innovation capabilities.
When we engage in playful activities, we enter a state similar to meditation—fully present and engaged. This "flow state" is where our best ideas often emerge, unhindered by the critical inner voice that develops as we age.
Perhaps most fascinating is that play helps us develop resilience. When children face challenges in play—like building a tower that keeps falling—they develop persistence and problem-solving skills. This "growth mindset" is something many adults struggle to maintain, yet it's precisely what helped us learn to walk after falling countless times.
So when we talk about "being a kid again," we're not just being nostalgic—we're reconnecting with a powerful psychological tool for wellbeing and success.
Bringing Playfulness Back to Work
The idea that professionalism and playfulness are mutually exclusive is perhaps one of adulthood's greatest misconceptions. Some of the world's most innovative companies—from Google to Pixar—have embraced play as a cornerstone of their culture, recognizing that creativity flourishes in environments where exploration is encouraged.
So let today be your excuse to bring a bit more you (and a bit more fun) back into your work. You're allowed to try things that light you up. And you're definitely allowed to believe that anything is possible.
This doesn't mean turning your next board meeting into a pillow fight (although the mental image is delightful). It might mean approaching a challenging project with curiosity instead of dread. It could be allowing yourself to propose that "wild" idea you've been sitting on. Or simply taking a play break when you feel stuck instead of forcing yourself to stare at the screen.
Whether that means creating something playful just because, trying a new idea without overthinking it, or simply giving yourself a break from being the "serious CEO" for a minute… your inner child might just hold the key to your next breakthrough.
A Promise to Your Inner Child
Somewhere inside you, there's still that kid who believed in magic, who thought anything was possible, who approached each day with wonder instead of worry. That child isn't gone—just waiting for you to remember them.
Be a Kid Again Day isn't just about one day of playfulness before returning to "real life." It's an invitation to reconnect with the most authentic parts of yourself that may have been buried under years of adulting, expectations, and responsibilities.
So today, make a promise to your inner child. Promise that you'll listen more often to their wisdom. Promise that you'll defend their right to play and dream. Promise that you'll remember that the best parts of who you are now grew from the seeds planted in childhood.
And most importantly, promise to believe again—in possibilities, in wonder, in yourself. Because the truth is, that kid was right all along. Anything is possible when you approach life with open-hearted curiosity and the courage to try.
Less pressure. Less perfection. Less trying to colour inside the lines all the time. And, more play. More curiosity. More "what if I just tried this wild idea?"