How Preserving Your Inner Child Fuels Creativity, Innovation, and Fulfillment
- Brainz Magazine
- Oct 20
- 5 min read
Written by Hayden Mater, Serial Entrepreneur
Hayden Mater is a professional life enthusiast and serial entrepreneur. He is the founder of Mater Made, a microbrand watch company, and the department head for the U.S. West lumber department at Richmond International Forest Products, a commodity trading firm.
In a world obsessed with optimization, adulthood often becomes synonymous with rigidity. We trade imagination for efficiency, curiosity for certainty, and playfulness for productivity. But what if the key to unlocking our greatest potential, both personally and professionally, lies in preserving the very thing we’re taught to outgrow, our inner child?
The myth of growing up
From a young age, we’re conditioned to “grow up,” to become serious, responsible, and practical. While maturity brings wisdom and stability, it often comes at the cost of creativity. The inner child, once a source of boundless energy, imagination, and fearless exploration, gets buried under layers of routine, expectations, and societal norms.
But growing up doesn’t have to mean growing cold. The most innovative thinkers, successful entrepreneurs, and fulfilled individuals often share one trait. They never stopped playing.
Mental stagnation in adulthood: The trap of routine
One of the greatest threats to creativity is mental stagnation, a state where the mind becomes dulled by repetition and predictability. Adults fall into routines, wake up, work, eat, sleep, and while routines can provide structure, they can also become cages.
In business, this stagnation manifests as recycled ideas, risk aversion, and a fear of experimentation. In life, it shows up as burnout, boredom, and a loss of purpose. The brain, like any muscle, needs novelty to grow. Without exercising it, we stop evolving.
Routine is comfortable, but comfort rarely breeds innovation. The inner child thrives on discomfort, the good kind. The kind that comes from trying something new, asking “what if?” and diving into the unknown without a roadmap.
The inner child as a creative engine
Children are naturally curious. They ask questions not to impress, but to understand. They create not for profit, but for joy. This mindset is a goldmine for creativity. When we reconnect with our inner child, we tap into a wellspring of ideas, perspectives, and energy that can transform our work and our lives.
Think of the entrepreneurs who disrupt industries, the artists who redefine genres, and the leaders who inspire movements, they all channel their inner child. They play with ideas, challenge norms, and embrace the possibility of failure as part of the process.
Business needs play
In the business world, creativity isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity. Companies that foster playful environments often outperform those that don’t. Google’s “20% time,” Pixar’s creative retreats, and IDEO’s design thinking labs are all examples of play driving performance.
Play encourages experimentation, collaboration, and resilience. It allows teams to approach problems from fresh angles and build solutions that are not only effective but inspired. When leaders model playfulness, they create cultures where innovation thrives.
Exploring new hobbies: Reawakening the mind
One of the most powerful ways to reconnect with your inner child is through exploring new hobbies. Hobbies are more than distractions, they’re gateways to creativity.
Whether it’s painting, hiking, learning an instrument, or building something with your hands, hobbies activate parts of the brain that routine work often neglects. They remind us that we are so much more than our job titles, more than our responsibilities. We’re creators, explorers, and learners.
Trying something new forces the brain to adapt, to stretch, to grow. It reignites curiosity and builds confidence. It also creates space for serendipity, those unexpected moments of insight that often lead to breakthroughs in business and life.
Rewiring the mindset: From survival to growth
Many adults operate in survival mode, focused on getting through the day, meeting deadlines, and avoiding mistakes. This mindset is reactive, not creative. To preserve our inner child, we must shift to growth mode.
Growth mode is proactive. It’s about seeking challenges, embracing uncertainty, and viewing failure as feedback. It’s about asking, “What can I learn today?” instead of “What do I need to get through?” Learning one new thing every day keeps you eager and engaged in life.
This shift doesn’t happen overnight. It requires intentionality, setting aside time for reflection, play, and exploration. It means surrounding yourself with people who challenge and inspire you. And it means giving yourself permission to be curious again.
Designing a life that encourages creativity
Preserving your inner child isn’t just about mindset, it’s about lifestyle. Here are a few ways to design a life that nurtures creativity:
Schedule play: Block time for hobbies, exploration, and unstructured thinking.
Travel differently: Visit places not for the sights, but for the experience. Wander without a plan.
Ask better questions: Replace “What do I need to do?” with “What could I create?”
Build a creative environment: Surround yourself with art, books, tools, and people that spark ideas. Go look for inspiration.
Celebrate curiosity: Reward yourself not just for outcomes, but for effort and exploration.
The entrepreneur’s advantage
For entrepreneurs, preserving inner child creativity is a strategic advantage. It allows you to see opportunities others miss, to pivot when needed, and to build brands that resonate on a human level.
Mater Made, for example, isn’t just a watch company, it’s a lifestyle brand rooted in exploration, innovation, and well-roundedness. That ethos comes from embracing the inner child, from placing watches in unique environments, and encouraging people to maximize their own potential.
When you build from a place of curiosity and play, your work becomes magnetic. People don’t just buy your product, they buy into your story.
Conclusion: Grow older, not colder
Adulthood doesn’t have to be the end of creativity. In fact, it can be the beginning if we choose to preserve our inner child. By breaking free from routine, exploring new hobbies, and embracing play, we unlock a deeper level of fulfillment and innovation.
So grow older. Gain wisdom. Build empires. But never grow cold. Never stop playing. Never stop wondering. Because the world doesn’t need more adults, it needs more people who imagine and create.
Read more from Hayden Mater
Hayden Mater, Serial Entrepreneur
Hayden Mater is a dynamic professional who seamlessly blends the worlds of commodity lumber trading and innovative watchmaking. With years of experience in the lumber industry, he has honed his skills in navigating complex markets and securing top-tier deals. In addition, as the founder of Mater Made, his microbrand watch company, Hayden brings precision and passion to every venture. Dedicated to excellence in health, work, and family life, Hayden cherishes every opportunity to grow and inspire others. With a commitment to professionalism and a drive to motivate those around him, he is a true leader in both the lumber industry and the entrepreneurial world. Click to learn more about his journey and vision.
