When we were kids, daydreaming came naturally. We could drift off into another world without trying. One minute we were sitting in a classroom, and the next we were imagining entire lives where anything was possible. We could be explorers or superheroes or artists. We could build imaginary kingdoms, go on adventures in our minds, and feel completely free. Nothing felt too big or too unrealistic because our imagination had no limits.
But as we grew up, something shifted. School taught us rules and structure. Adults told us to stop daydreaming and focus. We learned to sit still, behave, and fit into whatever box we were expected to fit into. Slowly, without even noticing it was happening, that creative, unfiltered part of us began to fade. We started thinking more about what was expected and less about what we truly wanted. Over time, many of us lost our connection to imagination altogether.
The interesting thing is that what we focus on grows. We know this now. Our attention shapes our experience. Our thoughts influence how we feel. And yet most people spend their mental energy on what they have to do, what they should do, or what is going wrong. We rarely give ourselves permission to think about what lights us up. We rarely let ourselves dream in the way we once did.
A few years ago a coach asked me to describe my perfect day. It sounded like such a simple question. I thought I would easily be able to answer it. Instead, my mind went completely blank. I had spent so many years living inside routines, schedules, expectations, and responsibilities that I genuinely did not know what I would choose if there were no limits. No rules. No pressure. Just me, free to imagine anything. The fact that I could not answer shocked me. It was a wake-up call. Somewhere along the way, without realising it, I had stopped dreaming.
From that moment, I made a decision. I wanted to reconnect with the part of me that used to feel limitless. I wanted to rebuild the muscle of imagination. I wanted to learn how to dream again, intentionally and to create a life that absolutely was by MY design.
What helped me was creating small pockets of space in my day where I could simply sit with myself. Nothing complicated. Nothing ceremonial. Just space.
For me, mornings were easiest. I would get up a little earlier while the house was still quiet. I would sit somewhere comfortable, close my eyes, take a few slow breaths, and notice how my body felt. Some days I felt calm. Other days my mind was buzzing. If it was noisy in my head, I would write. Not in a structured way. Not to make sense. Just enough to clear out the clutter so there was room for something new.
Once I felt settled, I would start gently allowing my mind to wander and start allowing amazing things into my imagination. At first, it felt awkward. I realised how unfamiliar it had become to think freely without immediately censoring myself. But the more I practised, the easier it became.
I started asking myself questions. Real questions. What would I choose if nothing was off limits? What would make me feel excited to get out of bed? If I removed every rule I had ever been taught, what kind of life would I want? What experiences do I crave? What do I secretly want but never say out loud? Where have I been limiting myself without noticing?
The more I played with these ideas, the more something inside me began to open. I found that imagination brings a sense of hopefulness. It reconnects you with possibilities that were there all along but buried under responsibility and routine. It brings you back to yourself. And the more you imagine, the easier it becomes to actually believe you can create something different.
The truth is, dreaming is not childish. It is not irresponsible. It is not unrealistic. It is powerful. It is where clarity comes from. It helps you understand what you truly want instead of what you think you are supposed to want. It reconnects you with joy, curiosity, and desire. All things that adults often forget they are allowed to feel.
Most people do not dream because they think dreaming is a waste of time. But the reality is that every meaningful change begins with imagination. Every new creation, every transformation, every breakthrough starts as a thought, a possibility, a dream. If you do not allow yourself to imagine more, you will never create more.
Relearning how to dream is one of the most freeing things you can do for yourself. It reminds you that you are not stuck. It shows you that your desires matter. It reconnects you with the part of you that is alive and awake and capable of so much more than you realise.
So give yourself permission to dream again. Let your mind wander. Let your heart soften. Let yourself imagine a life that feels good. You are allowed to want more. You are allowed to explore possibilities that excite you. You are allowed to create a life that feels like yours. Freedom starts in your thoughts long before it becomes your reality.
And you deserve that freedom.
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Kim is a PSYCH-K® Facilitator; International Best-Selling Author; Reiki Master ; Intuitive Healer ; Speaker and Educator.
Using her knowledge and extensive PSYCH-K® training, Kim has become an expert in transforming the perception of stress and replacing any limiting or negative subconscious beliefs. This is the key to living a happy, fulfilled life as we are able to work on strengthening our foundational beliefs that center on self love, self worth & self acceptance.
Thanks Kim, this was such a beautiful reminder of the power of imagination and how easily we lose touch with it as adults. I love how you invite us to reclaim our dreams in simple, accessible ways, and it was truly inspiring.