Rediscovering Your Childhood Dreams

What if your childhood dreams held the key to unlocking your authentic adult happiness? This eye-opening exploration into rediscovering forgotten passions reveals shocking research: 96% of adults never achieve their childhood dream jobs, with 64% still longing for them today. Those aspirations to become actors, athletes, or artists? Most have been replaced by practical careers far removed from our original desires.

But what if these abandoned dreams weren't childish fantasies but genuine expressions of your authentic self? Before societal expectations clouded your vision, your childhood passions revealed what truly brought you joy. Your body knows when you're misaligned with your purpose - persistent sadness, fatigue, and dissatisfaction aren't just "normal adult life" but biological signals urging realignment with your genuine interests.

The journey back to your childhood dreams doesn't require quitting your job tomorrow. Instead, it's about finding balance - maintaining stability while preserving enough energy to explore what excites you. By examining what activities made you lose track of time as a child, what environments comforted you during difficult moments, or what new experiences energize you today, you can uncover clues to your authentic passion. Whether it's singing, building, writing, or any activity that sparked curiosity, these interests contain the blueprint for a more fulfilling future. Remember, your dreams don't expire - they're patiently waiting for you to take that first small step toward rediscovery. What childhood joy might transform your life if you gave it permission to resurface today?

Chapters

• 0:00 The Dream Job Reality Check
• 1:57 Why Rediscovering Childhood Dreams Matters
• 6:14 Your Body As A Signal System
• 10:14 Reconnecting With Childhood Happiness
• 18:30 Finding Passion After Difficult Childhoods
• 25:18 Taking Action Toward Your Dreams
• 31:28 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:00

Did you know that research from Perkbox and Sideskies reveals that most adults never fully move on from their dream jobs? Specifically, we're talking about 96% of adults that have not succeeded in making their childhood dream jobs a reality, and this is very sad, in my opinion, very sad, a reality, and this is very sad, in my opinion, very sad as uh, in this 96 percent, right, we have a 64 percent of adults still wish they were working in their childhood dream jobs today. So, uh, overall, only four percent of people achieve their childhood dream jobs, and the most achievable dreams, of course, are becoming like jobs that we already know, you know, like a lawyer or a teacher, but, in contrast, dreams of becoming an actor, for example, or an athlete are much less likely to come true. So, instead, those who aspire to be actors, for example, end up working in hospitality or events management, and, at the same time, people who dream of being athletes usually find themselves in financial positions. For example, many of us might have dreamed of being athletes usually find themselves in financial positions. For example, many of us might have dreamed of being a firefighter, you know, a pilot or a doctor, but ended up in different professions, right? So? And this story is very, very sad, but let's see how we can learn from this experience from others, and let's see how we can go forward to make sure that you are going to reach the dream job that you always wanted to have.

Speaker 1: 1:57

Hi everyone, my name is Fabio from Journey to Success, and welcome. Today, I want to smash this wall between your reality and your um, let's say hidden regret thoughts, all right, and talk about rediscovering your childhood dreams. So it doesn't matter how old you are, who you are, as long as you are here in this world, it's never too late to pursue those dreams, but, of course, as always before to go forward, please subscribe. So I know this is the right direction to lead you, guys, as always, to drive you, to guide you towards your journey to success, and let's get started right, as always. So rediscovering childhood patience is incredibly important, guys, for several reasons. First of all, we must acknowledge that one day, we all will die. Yes, this is a fact that many people tend to ignore, but this is the reality. We're going to die one day, right? So whether we pass away, naturally or not hopefully not is uncertain, but it raises an important question.

Speaker 1: 3:09

Okay, why should you always pursue the dreams of others. So if you are genuinely happy fulfilling those dreams, then this message, this episode, then this message, this episode may not resonate with you. So I understand that. No worries, I will not judge you and listen. You can also close the episode, okay, evidently it's not something for you.

Speaker 1: 3:35

But if you find yourself unfulfilled and hope for something more, I urge you, I command you, to consider your own wishes, your own dreams, okay. Would you rather live a life full of regret, you know, hoping for a change that may never come, or would you prefer to break free from the limits of your mind and discover what you can achieve through your childhood dreams? Okay, there is a phrase that says I have it here. So the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Okay, while some people associate this quote with the Far Cry franchise, it's a video game. It actually originated from Albert Einstein, and I want to make sure you understand something important If you eat badly and don't exercise, you cannot expect a turtle. You know, If you don't put in a consistent effort toward what you believe, you cannot change your life. And if you spend your time fulfilling the dreams of others, of course, you will end up neglecting your own wishes, dreams and desires. Okay, time and daily energy are limited. You have to remember that. That's the reality. Nothing to do Remember that that's the reality. Nothing to do. Now.

Speaker 1: 5:06

I'm not suggesting that you should quit your job immediately to pursue your dreams, also, that would be a mistake, would be insane. Suppose you leave a stable job without a clear plan, guys. In that case, you may find that your energy gets consumed by the frustration of being unemployed. Okay, so it's not good either. Instead, consider a job where you can become proficient and comfortable especially your comfort zone, you know. Invest some of your energy and time there. And a job where it doesn't drain you completely, especially. Okay, and actually it doesn't drain you at all. But at least you need a job where you know you can keep a good bunch of energy and, before or after work, focus on your dreams and goals your learning zone, okay. Or after work, focus on your dreams and goals your learning zone, okay. So you need a job where you can work, you can pay taxes, you can pay your room or whatever, but then you need time to be focused on your dreams and goals your learning zone, okay. So this way you'll be prepared to explore the aspirations you had as a child.

Speaker 1: 6:25

Now, based on my experience, let's see how to reconnect with your childhood passions, including hobbies, activities or experiences that can influence your journey. All right, okay, so here we have three steps. First step your body is the best signal. It is a perfect machine, guys, for understanding yourself. So, do you have a headache? Who knows? Maybe you aren't sleeping enough or getting the right nutrition? Do you feel pain in your chest? Hmm, I don't know, perhaps you have been exposed to too much cold and need a better jacket. I don't know.

Speaker 1: 7:14

Let's say you consistently feel sad, okay, especially at work. It may be your body warning that you need to change your life. So this could indicate that serotonin, so often called, you know, the feel-good hormone, is low and cortisol, the stress hormone, is high. So we need to be careful about it, as these hormones are closely linked to feelings of sadness and depression. Okay, so low serotonin levels are associated with depressive symptoms such as persistent sadness, while high cortisol levels due to chronic stress can contribute to negative moods impacting your sleep and appetite. So this is just an example.

Speaker 1: 8:00

Of course, I'm not a doctor, but these are signals, are signals that indicate you are unhappy. And if you are not happy, guys, it's essential to take action and change your life. I've noticed that people often seek help from a psychologist when they feel sad, while others get some medication for depression and so on. So it's sad, it's sad to see this. I'm not suggesting that seeking help is wrong. I'm not suggesting that, in fact, I believe, actually, a good doctor can truly make you feel better, right. However, it's important to address your feelings before reaching a point where you feel lost and can't turn back.

Speaker 1: 8:50

Our bodies, guys, provide us with many signs, many signals. So you know, the change doesn't happen in an instant. It's not like a light switch. It's not like a light switch. It's not like that. Rather, we're like clay in a pottery, constantly trying to shape ourselves. Sometimes, in our attempts to reset and restart our lives, we may feel like we are smashing our clay to start over, you know, and we try to achieve our best form. We seek to achieve our best form. We seek to achieve our best form, and sometimes we succeed, while other times we don't. But remember, the moment we dry out and enter the oven is when our complete form is final, all right, and this is when we decide who we are for or for worse, for worse. But we must be careful, guys. We must be careful because if the form we choose is unhealthy, unhappy or unstable, it can fall apart and break, okay. So, consequently, we should aim to avoid reaching that critical point.

Speaker 1: 10:10

Step two what made you happy when you were a child? I was preparing step two today. I was like, whoa, I like what I wrote, it's nice. So this is a very important question anyway, because whatever brought you joy in your childhood, you have to know that will likely still make you happy today, now, 100%. So when you revisit these childhood joys, you have to know that these childhood joys can bring back feelings of nostalgia and hope, remind you of the happiness you once experienced and you can still achieve today. Okay, for example, I've realized in my adult life that when I was younger, I genuinely enjoyed sharing my opinions and, you know, offering my vocal support, and my device, of course, wasn't always correct, but I have polished my skills over time, especially through my podcast. You know, be careful about what you say, how to say in which way. It's also important to understand when and how break the the sensitivity of of my listeners or not, you know, um, so I I I polished my way to be when I was younger Alliance, with my current journey, all right, with my podcast, with Journey to Success, and I love it. Also.

Speaker 1: 12:00

Another point is that I want to highlight that you're not alone on your journey. We all have our unique paths to rediscovering our childhood passions, and sharing these experiences can help us feel connected and understood. So I'm doing now with you. I always do in a kind of I wouldn't say any episode, but every time there is an opportunity, I always like to share my experiences. And also for you guys, maybe I don't mention so much often, but don't forget to share your experience with a friend, especially in this case, it can be beneficial, okay, because when you do, let's say, let's not generalize, let's talk about this topic. Uh, in this case, it might help you learn more about yourself or reinforce the idea that what you are doing is the right choice, okay, and is the right choice or not, just as my experience with helping others aligns with my current journey, for example, and is the right choice or not. Just as my experience with helping others aligns with my current journey, for example. Or you might even discover a hobby you never realized you had. So this is just an example.

Speaker 1: 13:17

Of course, it's not always important to share everything with a friend. If you don't feel it, let's say. There are different layers. Maybe we're going to talk about it in another episode, but let's be focused on this episode. In this case. It's important, you know, especially if you don't really know what was your hobby when you were a child. You may be forgotten, or something you know.

Speaker 1: 13:48

Another thing that used to make me happy, by the way, was singing. I loved singing. I loved singing when I was a child and today I'm considering also, you know, to learn to play the guitar, but I don't know. I have to wait until I find the time because I'm busier than ever these days. But a point is, it's important to remember what we liked, to understand what we want, okay? Another example I also love toys from Jik Jik, a brand that was very popular back then in Italy.

Speaker 1: 14:25

They made the best complex toys ever. I loved them, and even now, when I visit a toy store you know, perhaps looking for a board game I still feel fascinated by toys, and recently I've been considering buying some serious Lego. You know, something that I never did just just one month ago, we, we bought with with my fiance, uh, really, a small leg of the nero and uh, it was what was two, two poopies, literally uh, wallace and uh, wallace and Eve from the Disney cartoon and, as I mentioned, I loved to build, but I think that was my yeah, I was like 10 or 20, I don't remember. I was very nice and, as I say, I think I would like to buy some seriously Lego again to revisit. You know, as I said, the joy of my childhood. I know that Lego has become an expensive hobby these days, but it fascinates me and I feel a smile in my brain when I think about it. And I don't know I should buy something like that to explore the feeling. Connect to my childhood, you know, when I used to love toys and who knows what is going to bring in the future this, you know, this way to discover this expensive hobby that may become a hobby one day.

Speaker 1: 16:08

Anyway, think about your own childhood. Okay, that's the point and especially, what made you happy. We live in a world, guys, where our perspective on the future, our desires, our aspirations can be clouded by influences from friends, family, partners, schools, society, but when we were children, everything was so clear. You know, everything was as clear as crystal water. Everything was as clear as crystal water and there was no dirtiness in our thought. It was very beautiful, you know, you thought you could become a singer or whatever, and, yeah, it was actually possible in our brain. So what happened? Actually possible in our brain? So what happened? This society, uh, and everything around us made us become so, so, such, um, similar to each other. You know, like no. Why the world, the life, the human being is so colorful, you know. But the society and the people who learn from the society, learn and learn to be and learn to have color in their life and learn, are learning more and more how to be great, you know, but that's not our purpose, that's not the purpose of Journey to Success.

Speaker 1: 17:53

So the only way to clear this water is to reflect on your childhood and remember what brought you joy. Okay, reflect on your childhood and remember what brought you joy, okay. So by restoring those thoughts, guys, you can absolutely find your passion again. I said to you that was a beautiful step and uh, yeah, maybe I shouldn't shouldn't congratulate myself, but yeah, of course I do, because it was. This step was beautiful.

Speaker 1: 18:25

Uh, three, you had an unfulfilled life and now you want to change. Okay, so not everyone has been as fortunate as we have. Some people were less fortunate, while others were more fortunate than us. So how do you find your childhood passion if you never explore it when you were a child? This is a very fascinating question, so in this case, I would like to highlight three solutions. The first solution, the first step, is to reflect on your past and consider how your experiences can shape your future in a way that benefits others. Okay, for example, suppose you have had a complicated past and faced challenging experiences. All right, in that case, you likely have a connection to the past, to that past, and you can use all this experience to assist others. Okay, and mostly becomes the thing that you really want to do in your life, your vocation, your passion.

Speaker 1: 19:30

Second solution what was your comfort escape zone, even if you have been through the worst scenarios? Right, you survived. You are here, you are listening to the podcast and probably I don't know you are chilling on the couch, but this means that there was something in your mind that provided with the right comfort, you know, during your difficult journey. So what was it? You need to remember that In case you don't know, ask around. Okay, that's very, very important. It could be anything, perhaps a doll that was always with you and helped you through tough times. Extreme example you might consider learning how to make dolls now you could sell them, or work in a shop that sells dolls for children. I don't know.

Speaker 1: 20:24

I have another example for you, an an extreme example. Let's suppose that during your tough times, when you were a child, you often thought about living and dreamed of a beach and a sea place, you know, an escape room that you had pictured since childhood during uncomfortable moments. So, not a thing, but a powerful memory. So this dream served as your comfort zone. Perhaps now is the time to explore that dream. Okay, maybe it's time to embark on a journey to that place and start a travel company.

Speaker 1: 21:00

All right, Solution three, on the other hand, solution three on the other hand. Let's say, you are satisfied with your current life and you still had a very, very bad past, but you don't want to revisit this past. You don't want to revisit your past. However, you still want to become a different person, okay? So in this case, I suggest trying out a variety of activities. Life is beautiful, guys, so explore it If you don't like something, that's okay. At least you tried it. You know, you may discover that you enjoy watching people surfing. I don't know why not sign up for a course. Or, let's say, you have realized that you actually enjoy cooking. I mean, why not sign up for a workshop?

Speaker 1: 22:53

You know, I remember a story about a very talented copywriter who worked from home and enjoyed financial freedom and one day he traveled to I don't remember if it was Indonesia or Thailand, I think he traveled to Thailand, where he tried a new experience. We tried different experiences. Then he tried a new, particular one and discovered his passion for Thai massage, and he learned a lot from the experience and decides to work in the field. Can you imagine, guys? I mean, a person who had already found fulfillment in his life Discovered something even more appealing than copywriting, you know Something totally different, and now he enjoys that passion. You know, who knows, maybe he's running a message shop right now. We don't know that. So you really have to try many different things to understand what you like first of all, and actually, especially sorry, what you don't like, in a way, to understand what you may love one day.

Speaker 1: 24:09

Okay, now let's wrap up before closing this episode, guys. What did we discuss today? Today, we talked about how to reconnect with your childhood patients and why doing so can transform your life. We started by looking at the reality that most adults never fully achieve their childhood dream jobs, and that there is this research that shows that 96% of people never succeeded in making those dreams a reality, which means that many of us carry the regrets. Okay, so at the end of the story, overall, only 4% actually reach their childhood dreams, dreams, and even then, the easiest goals tend to be practical ones, like you know, becoming a lawyer or a teacher. So dreams like becoming an actor or an athlete are far less likely to come true, with people often ending up in entirely different careers, like hospitality or finance, different careers like hospitality or finance, and this helps us understand why so many adults, guys, feel unfulfilled, despite being successful in other ways.

Speaker 1: 25:27

Okay, then we talked about why rediscovering your patience matters. It's never too late, guys. It's never too late to pursue what genuinely excites you, no matter your age, no matter the circumstances. Okay, you don't have to quit your job or take drastic risks immediately. I'm not going to ask for that. Instead, the goal is to find the imbalance you know, maintain stability. Stability while dedicating energy and time to learning, experimenting, failing, exploring your different interests. So this way you are moving towards your dreams without creating unnecessary chaos or stress in your life.

Speaker 1: 26:15

Then we went through three practical steps to reconnect with your patients. First, listen to your body as a signal. Okay, very important. Your body constantly communicates with you guys. Headaches, fatigue, persistent sadness or other physical discomforts are often signs that something is off off, whether it's your lifestyle. Lifestyle, maybe it's your stress levels, okay, or alignment with your true desires, and I think low serotonin and high cortisol, for example, can make you feel sad or anxious. So so pay attention to these signals early. Allows you to take action before reaching a critical breaking point. Okay, change does happen overnight. You have to remember that it's gradual, like shaping clay. So sometimes we need to mold ourselves a little bit, you know, to align with our true potential slowly.

Speaker 1: 27:18

Second, reflecting on what made you happy as a child. Childhood choice and activities are a poor source of inspiration. So what did you love doing when no one was watching? Could be singing, building, drawing I don't know playing sports or simply exploring nature. So these early passions often still resonate with us today drawing, I don't know, playing sports or simply exploring nature. So these early passions often still resonate with us today, so revisiting them can awaken joy and help you see possibilities you might have forgotten. For example, I realized that as a child, I loved sharing my opinions and helping others, and probably this reflects the journey with my podcast as well.

Speaker 1: 28:01

Number three, third experimenting and exploring. Even if you never fully pursued your childhood dreams, it's never too late to discover what excites you now. So now, so try new activities, guys. Okay. Um, revisiting comfort zone from a difficult time, so exploring interests you never consider, uh, all of this can all reveal hidden passions, okay. For example, someone might find joy in cooking, painting or even learning a skill like Indonesian massage or Thai massage. Just by experimenting and being open to new experiences, you will notice how much close you can be to achieve your dream job, something that you didn't know yet.

Speaker 1: 28:59

The key is curiosity. You need to be curious, testing different things to understand what you genuinely enjoy and what energize you. Very important Energy is so important. We need to do more episodes about energy. We also talk about using past challenges as opportunities, guys. So your experiences, hardships or moments of comfort during difficult times can guide you toward meaningful work okay.

Speaker 1: 29:29

Sometimes the things that helped you survive or manage as a child can become the foundation for your adult passion. Reflecting on your journey can help you identify ways to grow, guys, help others or even turn a personal interest into a career or vocation. Okay, so, in short, today we explore how reconnecting with your childhood passions involves listening to your body, remembering what brought you joy, experimenting with new experiences okay and learning from your past. So by doing so, you can align your life with your own dreams not someone else's expectations, but your dreams With your own dreams Not someone else's expectations, but your dreams and this process brings fulfillment, clarity and a more profound sense of purpose. Purpose so important the purpose. That's the reason why we live in this world To follow a purpose and proving that it's never too late to rediscover what truly makes you happy.

Speaker 1: 30:44

Now it's your turn. Take a moment today to reflect. What did you love as a child? What activity, hobby or dream still sparks joy in your heart when you think about it? Please write it down, share it with someone you trust, or even take the first most step towards today. And remember change doesn't start with giant jumps. It begins with small, intentional actions, guys. So if this episode resonated with you, as always, you know how important it is to subscribe, so in this way, you will not miss the upcoming conversation, where we'll go even deeper into building your journey to success. But it's even more important to me if you share this episode with a friend who might need a reminder that it's never too late to dream again, you could be the reason someone else reconnects with their passion. Okay, remember that and thank you for being part of Journey to Success. And remember your dreams do not expire. They don't have an expire. They're waiting for you to show up. So the only thing to do is take one small step today. Cheers.