Can you remember what it’s like to be a child? When you look back, you see those years through rose-colored glasses and it’s all happy memories. Do you watch how your children, nieces and nephews, or friends’ children interact with the world around them? It’s fascinating to watch, but you don’t just have to be a spectator! Check out these nine reasons why you should view the world through a child’s eyes and see how it livens up your daily life.

1. Everything Is New

Kids are fascinated by everything because it’s all new to them. They’re not jaded by what the world has to offer. Are you excited to wake up in the morning, or do you dread the morning commute, your lunch meeting, going to the grocery store after work? Children don’t feel this way. Every day is new to them, so everything seems exciting and full of possibilities. Instead of dreading the daily tasks you’re going to face, clear your mind and pretend you don’t know what to expect. Try to feel like each day is a clean slate and anything can happen!

2. Everything Is A Learning Experience

Children are interested in learning as much as they can. How many times have you heard a child ask “why?” over and over and over again? They want to know everything! They don’t take no for an answer because they know there’s a satisfying answer behind it. How often do you stop reading or researching something once you find your answer, instead of trying to find the whole story behind it? How much fun would it be to just follow a subject until you find it’s roots? Even if you’re endlessly clicking through links on Wikipedia, having this kind of varied knowledge is a boon.

3. Everyone Is A Possible Friend

How many times have you gone to the grocery store hoping that you could get in and out without having to make conversation with a stranger? It’s understandable that you’re sometimes in a rush, but what’s the harm in talking to someone while waiting in line? Children are always open to meeting new people. They want to smile and make friends and learn people’s names and what they do and why. Try to embrace this mindset when you’re running errands, meeting friends of friends, being introduced to a new coworker, and more.

4. You Think Positively

Children don’t automatically think the worst when presented with a new situation, like we might be if we hear that our boss wants to see us. Because so many experiences are new to children, they automatically have a positive attitude towards things. They’re eager to try something new, especially if it’s presented to them as an adventure. How easy would it be to start thinking of mundane tasks in your life as an adventure? Make things a game so you’re not wasting time and energy moping around, dreading what comes next. Think positively and be excited about the possibilities!

5. You Can be Anything

“What do you want to be when you grow up?” How many times were you asked this as a kid, and how many different answers did you have each time? Doctor one day, teacher the next, even a garbageman, because how cool is it to hang on to the back of a moving truck? Of course as you age, you have to pick a career path and stick with it, or you won’t be able to make a living. But what made you pick that path? Because your parents were doctors? Because it seemed like the easiest subject in school? Too often we pick career paths because we think we should, not because we have the passion. The same goes for when you’re debating changing careers after becoming established in one field. If you really want to become a lawyer, what does it matter that you’re 35 years old? Study, apply to law school, get in and follow your dreams! We shouldn’t limit ourselves to what seems right or practical, when we can think like a child and do what we really want.

6. The World Is Full Of Possibilities

This goes hand in hand with thinking you can be anything when you grow up. The world is full of possibilities and you can get in on any of them. Don’t limit yourself to certain things because of who you think you are, or how you think your job or family define you. If you’ve always wanted to be an artist, take a painting class and give it a try! If you want to write a novel, tackle the first chapter in your free time and find a writing support group. The fact is, the world is full of possibilities for everyone, not just children who haven’t really lived yet. They’re just the only ones who take that knowledge and use it to their advantage. Harness this mindset for yourself!

7. You Do Things “Just Because”

When’s the last time you sat outside in the sun and just let your mind wander? Or played on a swing set, or went down a slide? You don’t have to play to let things go, but too often adults think we always need to be doing something. If you’re not at work, you need to be reading or taking care of the house. If you’re stuck in traffic, why not listen to a podcast or audiobook? It’s great to make good use of your time, but you don’t always have to be doing something. Why not take time out to enjoy the sunshine, the breeze, sitting outside with friends or family? Your tasks will still be there when you’re ready to get to them.

8. Your Imagination Is Limitless

As you age, you learn more facts, experience more of life, and learn what is logical and possible. It’s necessary to be a functioning adult, but unfortunately it also cramps your imagination. It’s harder to picture yourself escaping work on a rainbow colored unicorn (unless you’re on something amazing) because you know it’s just not possible. Kids don’t have this problem. Kids’ imaginations are limitless. They don’t care what’s real and what could happen because they want it to, so in their mind, it’s so. Watch a kids’ show if you want to remember what having that imagination feels like. Pigs are “people” on TV, and they talk and have feelings and go on adventures into outer space. Even a classic show like Sesame Street can help stretch your imagination and remove the barriers on logical thinking. Once your imagination can roam more freely, use it to tackle home and work tasks and see how innovative your presentations will be now.

9. You Don’t Care What Other People Think

Let’s be honest – this is the best part of being a kid, isn’t it? Getting dressed in a polka dot shirt and striped pants because that’s what you want to wear, and strutting your stuff in public, just proud that you dressed yourself. Asking “stupid” questions because you want to know the answer, not vowing to look it up later because you don’t want someone to laugh at you. Imagine how free you’d feel if you didn’t care what people thought about you? Not to the extent you totally let yourself go, or become the office idiot, but just enough so that you do things you want to do without worrying what others will think – because, honestly, you never know what other people are thinking. Maybe everyone loves your stripes and polka dots!