--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It's funny because when you're a child…" description: "\"“It's funny because when you're a child, you believe you can be anything you want to be, go wherever you want to go. There's no limit to what you can d..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/725/cecelia-ahern-535_believing_it-s-funny-because-when-you-re-a-child-y_2720839.jpg" --- # It's funny because when you're a child, you believe you… ![“It's funny because when you're a child, you believe you can be anything you want to be, go wherever you want to go. There's no limit to what you can dream. You expect the unexpected, you believe in magic, in fairy tales, and in possibilities. Then you grow older and that innocence is shattered and…” quote by Cecelia Ahern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/725/cecelia-ahern-535_believing_it-s-funny-because-when-you-re-a-child-y_2720839.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/725/cecelia-ahern-535_believing_it-s-funny-because-when-you-re-a-child-y_2720839.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/725/cecelia-ahern-535_believing_it-s-funny-because-when-you-re-a-child-y_2720839.jpg) > ““It's funny because when you're a child, you believe you can be anything you want to be, go wherever you want to go. There's no limit to what you can dream. You expect the unexpected, you believe in magic, in fairy tales, and in possibilities. Then you grow older and that innocence is shattered and somewhere along the way the reality of life gets in the way and you're hit by the realization that you can't be all you wanted to be, you just might have to settle for a little bit less. Or perhaps a variation of what you once wanted. Why do we stop believing in ourselves? Why do we let facts and figures and anything but dreams rule our lives?”” [Cecelia Ahern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cecelia-ahern/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Childhood optimism fades as adult realities impose limits, causing people to doubt their dreams and settle for less. **In simple terms:** Dreams fade when reality sets in. Key Takeaway Reclaim belief in possibilities. Themes dreams self‑belief growth disillusionment Mood reflective hopeful Type inspirational philosophical When to use this quote - career planning - creative projects - personal goal setting - overcoming self‑doubt Key Concepts psychology developmental change expectation management Questions to Reflect On - What dreams have you set aside? - How can you balance realism with imagination? A Different Perspective Life’s constraints can be reframed as opportunities, not defeats. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Believe In Magic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believe-in-magic/) [Believe Magic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believe-magic/) [Believing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believing/) [Believing Let](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believing-let-1316124/) [Child Believe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/child-believe-269886/) [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Dreams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dreams/) [Expect the unexpected](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expect-the-unexpected/) [Fairy tale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fairy-tale/) [Fairy tales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fairy-tales/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Reality of life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reality-of-life/) [Stop Believing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stop-believing/) ## Related quotes > [“It's funny because when you're a child, you believe you can be anything you want to be, go whenever you want to go. 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Why do we let facts and figures and anything but dreams rule our lives?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cecelia-ahern/why-do-we-stop-believing-in-ourselves-why-do-we-let-facts-and-figures/) [Cecelia Ahern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cecelia-ahern/) > [“Tell me child, do you believe in magic?' - in O Vestido (The Dress), by Milene Emídio”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milene-em-dio/tell-me-child-do-you-believe-in-magic-in-o-vestido-the-dress-by/) [Milene Emídio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milene-em-dio/) > [A person who truly loves you will never stop believing in you and will never let you go, no matter how hard the situation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irene4212/a-person-who-truly-loves-you-will-never-stop-believing-in-you-and/) [Irene4212](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irene4212/) > [“Because that was some kind of voodoo, and I did not believe in magic.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bella-love/because-that-was-some-kind-of-voodoo-and-i-did-not-believe-in-magic/) [Bella Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bella-love/) > [“It's funny how people choose to believe in magic, miracles, fate and all sorts of superstition but not in themselves!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mouloud-benzadi/it-s-funny-how-people-choose-to-believe-in-magic-miracles-fate-and/) [Mouloud Benzadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mouloud-benzadi/) > [“You have to believe in magic to see it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leah-blundell/you-have-to-believe-in-magic-to-see-it/) [Leah Blundell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leah-blundell/) > [I am a 21st century man. I don’t believe in magic. I believe in sweat, tears, life and death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamal-haasan/i-am-a-21st-century-man-i-don-t-believe-in-magic-i-believe-in-sweat/) [Kamal Haasan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamal-haasan/) > [And above all, watch with glittering eyes the world around you, because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roald-dahl/and-above-all-watch-with-glittering-eyes-the-world-around-you-because/) [Roald Dahl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roald-dahl/) > [Those who don't believe in magic will never find it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roald-dahl/those-who-don-t-believe-in-magic-will-never-find-it/) [Roald Dahl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roald-dahl/) > [Never ever doubt in magic. The purest honest thoughts come from children, ask any child if they believe in magic and they will tell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-dixon/never-ever-doubt-in-magic-the-purest-honest-thoughts-come-from/) [Scott Dixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-dixon/) > [I totally believe in magic. Because my life, I think, has been very magic, and magical things have come true for me time after…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stevie-nicks/i-totally-believe-in-magic-because-my-life-i-think-has-been-very/) [Stevie Nicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stevie-nicks/) > [“I believe in magic. As a writer, I create them on blank paper.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonnia-kemmer/i-believe-in-magic-as-a-writer-i-create-them-on-blank-paper/) [Sonnia Kemmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonnia-kemmer/) ## More by Cecelia Ahern > [“Don't worry, nothing speaks louder than a lifetime of regret and self-loathing.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cecelia-ahern/don-t-worry-nothing-speaks-louder-than-a-lifetime-of-regret-and-self/) [Cecelia Ahern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cecelia-ahern/) > [“Edith says that there are some people in the world that don't you all the time or play games but they still love you.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cecelia-ahern/edith-says-that-there-are-some-people-in-the-world-that-don-t-you-all/) [Cecelia Ahern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cecelia-ahern/) > [“Ruby: How nice for you all. How is the wonderfully helpful Ursula? Rosie: Wonderfully helpful. Yesterday she told me I had problems discussing my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cecelia-ahern/ruby-how-nice-for-you-all-how-is-the-wonderfully-helpful-ursula-rosie/) [Cecelia Ahern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cecelia-ahern/) > [“If you can't put magnolia on a wall then there are always a million other colors you can use, if you can't pay your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cecelia-ahern/if-you-can-t-put-magnolia-on-a-wall-then-there-are-always-a-million/) [Cecelia Ahern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cecelia-ahern/) > [As the rain falls and the sun shines, they grow, grow, grow; minds so open, they go through life aware and accepting, seeing light…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cecelia-ahern/as-the-rain-falls-and-the-sun-shines-they-grow-grow-grow-minds-so/) [Cecelia Ahern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cecelia-ahern/) > [Her best friend was gone and nobody understood that no amount of makeup, fresh air or shopping was going to fill the hole in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cecelia-ahern/her-best-friend-was-gone-and-nobody-understood-that-no-amount-of/) [Cecelia Ahern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cecelia-ahern/) > [Alex: Rosie, I wanted you to be the first person to no that I’ve decided to become a heart surgeon! Rosie: Cool, does it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cecelia-ahern/alex-rosie-i-wanted-you-to-be-the-first-person-to-no-that-i-ve/) [Cecelia Ahern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cecelia-ahern/) > [Holly's theory about the army," Sharon explained. And what is it?" Denise asked, intrigued. Oh, that fighting for peace is like screwing for virginity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cecelia-ahern/holly-s-theory-about-the-army-sharon-explained-and-what-is-it-denise/) [Cecelia Ahern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cecelia-ahern/) > [“Fairy tales are such evil little stories for young children. Every time I’m in a mess I expect a long-haired posh-speaking man to come…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cecelia-ahern/fairy-tales-are-such-evil-little-stories-for-young-children-every/) [Cecelia Ahern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cecelia-ahern/) > [I always pushed myself. Whenever I felt I needed to stop, I made myself run faster.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cecelia-ahern/i-always-pushed-myself-whenever-i-felt-i-needed-to-stop-i-made-myself/) [Cecelia Ahern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cecelia-ahern/) > [“... however good it is, some love isn't meant to be for ever.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cecelia-ahern/however-good-it-is-some-love-isn-t-meant-to-be-for-ever/) [Cecelia Ahern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cecelia-ahern/) > [I always take a story that's kind of out there, like an urban myth. I take some possibility that people imagine, that they are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cecelia-ahern/i-always-take-a-story-that-s-kind-of-out-there-like-an-urban-myth-i/) [Cecelia Ahern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cecelia-ahern/) > [“At moments when life is at its worst there are two things that you can do: 1. Breakdown, lose hope and refuse to go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cecelia-ahern/at-moments-when-life-is-at-its-worst-there-are-two-things-that-you/) [Cecelia Ahern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cecelia-ahern/) > [“Life is made up of meetings and partings. People come into your life everyday, you say good morning, you say good evening, some stay…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cecelia-ahern/life-is-made-up-of-meetings-and-partings-people-come-into-your-life/) [Cecelia Ahern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cecelia-ahern/) > [“Home isn't a place, its a feeling”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cecelia-ahern/home-isn-t-a-place-its-a-feeling/) [Cecelia Ahern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cecelia-ahern/) [Explore all 462 Cecelia Ahern quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cecelia-ahern/) ## More Believing quotes > [And if the mind thinks with a believing attitude one can do amazing things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/and-if-the-mind-thinks-with-a-believing-attitude-one-can-do-amazing/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [I've never let anyone talk me into not believing in myself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muhammad-ali/i-ve-never-let-anyone-talk-me-into-not-believing-in-myself/) [Muhammad Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muhammad-ali/) > [“Believing is not the same as knowing. Believing is second-hand knowledge, whereas knowing is first-hand experience. When your action comes from a level of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yogi-kanna/believing-is-not-the-same-as-knowing-believing-is-second-hand/) [Yogi Kanna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yogi-kanna/) > [Things aren't always as they appear. I've been believing things to be a certain way because I want them to be that way. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brett-dennen/things-aren-t-always-as-they-appear-i-ve-been-believing-things-to-be/) [Brett Dennen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brett-dennen/) > [You cannot will yourself to be happy while believing that you have no right to happiness, or that you are unworthy of it. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-roberts/you-cannot-will-yourself-to-be-happy-while-believing-that-you-have-no/) [Jane Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-roberts/) > [It's never late to go after your dreams. All it takes is believing and hard work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vitor-belfort/it-s-never-late-to-go-after-your-dreams-all-it-takes-is-believing-and/) [Vitor Belfort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vitor-belfort/) > [“There are five important things for living a successful and fulfilling life: never stop dreaming, never stop believing, never give up, never stop trying,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-bennett/there-are-five-important-things-for-living-a-successful-and/) [Roy Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-bennett/) > [Start believing that things are going to change for the better. Not because you deserve it, but simply because God loves you that much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/start-believing-that-things-are-going-to-change-for-the-better-not/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I never stopped believing in my ability or what I was doing. I want to pass that sense of faith and perseverance on to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vantile-whitfield/i-never-stopped-believing-in-my-ability-or-what-i-was-doing-i-want-to/) [Vantile Whitfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vantile-whitfield/) > [“It’s not easy to believe in anything when your whole world turns upside down. The main thing is to keep believing in yourself.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsay-jayne-ashford/it-s-not-easy-to-believe-in-anything-when-your-whole-world-turns/) [Lindsay Jayne Ashford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindsay-jayne-ashford/) > [Stop expecting, Start believing¦ If you truly love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/stop-expecting-start-believing-if-you-truly-love/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [This idea that once you get into politics... you are now signed up for lifelong duty being in elective office, makes a fundamental error…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-gonzalez/this-idea-that-once-you-get-into-politics-you-are-now-signed-up-for/) [Matt Gonzalez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-gonzalez/) > [Chairman Mao not only introduced Pinyin in China, but also simplified half the Chinese characters, believing that fewer strokes would enable more people to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-tang/chairman-mao-not-only-introduced-pinyin-in-china-but-also-simplified/) [David Tang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-tang/) > [It's one thing believing in yourself, it's another thing having other people believe in you, and that is the greatest gift, honestly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-magnussen/it-s-one-thing-believing-in-yourself-it-s-another-thing-having-other/) [Billy Magnussen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-magnussen/) > [We have been deceived into believing prayer is all about persuading God to release His power. We no longer need to beg or plead;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-wommack/we-have-been-deceived-into-believing-prayer-is-all-about-persuading/) [Andrew Wommack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-wommack/) [Browse all 1,471 Believing quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believing/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“It's funny because when you're a child, you believe you can be anything you want to be, go wherever you want to go. There's no limit to what you can dream. You expect the unexpected, you believe in magic, in fairy tales, and in possibilities. Then you grow older and that innocence is shattered and somewhere along the way the reality of life gets in the way and you're hit by the realization that you can't be all you wanted to be, you just might have to settle for a little bit less. Or perhaps a variation of what you once wanted. Why do we stop believing in ourselves? 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