Why Your Potential Skyrockets After Parenting: A Guide to Realizing Your Dreams

The Perfect Timing for Growth

Parenting is an intense journey that often leaves little room for personal aspirations. However, once your children reach a certain age, the time you have available can become a golden opportunity to explore your dreams. This phase of life can reveal a treasure trove of potential, where the desire to grow coincides perfectly with newfound free time. It's important to realize that after parenting, it's not just about rest and relaxation but about rekindling passions and pursuing goals you may have shelved for years.

Building Connections with Like-minded Peers

One of the most rewarding aspects of this stage is the ability to connect with individuals who share your interests. Many of your peers are also navigating similar transitions, creating a perfect environment for collaboration and friendship. For instance, in my experience as a piano student among millennials, I discovered that these counterparts are easy to talk to, because they’re same generation as my daughter’s. They shared much enthusiasm and fresh ideas. We collectively learned, grew, and even threw parties that further strengthened our bonds. This kind of supportive environment enhances the journey towards your dreams by providing encouragement and inspiration.

Ideal Niche for Your Aspirations

As a busy parent, it can feel challenging to carve out time for personal goals. Yet, finding niche periods in your schedule is critical. Small increments of time—whether it's ten minutes while waiting for your child, or the thirty minutes of free time during a commute—can add up significantly. Use these moments to engage in activities that align with your goals, whether it’s studying a new skill, memorizing foreign words or jargons, or simply jotting down ideas. Establishing mini-deadlines can also be helpful. Knowing that your children will eventually become more independent encourages a sense of urgency to advance your aspirations.

In Japan, there’s an old saying,”負うた子に教えられる(outa-ko-ni oshierareru), meaning “You’re learning from your child whom you’re carrying on your back”. The lessons learned during the parenting journey and the new friendships forged can be a vital source of motivation. So, embrace this chapter as a pivotal phase in life where you can truly thrive, leveraging every chance to cultivate your interests alongside the energy and inspiration found around you.