So the other day, I got a DM from Mbak Shita, the co-founder of Rumah Remedi. She sent me a short video from The Daily Coach featuring none other than Elizabeth Gilbert, the author of Eat Pray Love. In the video, she talks about the difference between being childlike and being childish.
After watching the video, I had to sit with this thought for a moment. Being childlike means seeing the world through eyes of wonder. It is curiosity turned all the way up. Being open to learn, smiling at small joys, and saying wow a lot.
On the flip side, being childish feels more like throwing a tantrum because the Grab price surge hits you like a stock market crash. It is reactive, resistant, a bit entitled, and often comes with a side of unnecessary drama.
I asked myself. How can I keep that childlike magic alive without accidentally slipping into childish mode?
According to The Daily Coach, there are five ways to nurture that childlike spark:
- Audit your mindset. Like spring cleaning for your thoughts. Sweep out the old dusty negativity. Journaling really helps here.
- Stay teachable. You do not know everything, and that is a good thing. Like Steve Jobs said, stay hungry and stay foolish.
- Interrupt childish patterns. Catch yourself before you mentally flip a table. This is why I need my sholat and meditation. To stay mindful and grounded.
- Model curiosity. Ask more questions, even the weird ones. There is no such thing as a stupid question.
- Protect joy. Guard it like your phone is on one percent battery. And do not let the simple joy of fresh air and quiet mornings fade away.
This hit me hard. Why stress over things I cannot control?
I grew up in a creative environment, so curiosity and play came naturally. But somewhere along the way, when my hobby turned into a hustle, the magic started to dim. That childlike lens got blurry (not marantika or pesolima).
Well, I am dusting it off. I am keeping these five ways close.
Now I am wondering. How about you? Got any tips to stay childlike, not childish?
Let us keep the joy flowing and the bitterness to a minimum.
