Brick wall Quote by Neil Gaiman
“When I was a kid, we actually lived in a house that had been divided in two at one point, which meant that one room in our house opened up onto a brick wall. And I was convinced all I had to do was just open it the right way and it wouldn't be a brick wall. So I'd sidle over to the door and I'd pull it open.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The Neil Gaiman Podcast, 2020
A childhood belief that obstacles could be removed by simply trying the right approach, reflecting imagination and optimism.
In simple terms: Kids think problems can be solved by a simple trick.
Key Takeaway
Try different perspectives to overcome barriers.
Themes
imagination
optimism
problem solving
Mood
hopeful
reflective
Type
personal anecdote
inspirational
When to use this quote
- childhood curiosity
- learning new skills
- creative problem solving
Key Concepts
cognitive flexibility
perseverance
Questions to Reflect On
- What “brick walls” do you still see?
- How can you reframe a problem to find a new entry point?
A Different Perspective
Not all walls are removable; some challenges need more than a simple trick.
![“[...] and as I walked, I tried to see the funny side. It wasn't easy, and I'm still not sure that I managed it properly, but it's just something I like to do when things aren't going well. Because what does it mean, to say that things aren't going well? Compared to what? You can say: compared to…” quote by Hugh Laurie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/910/hugh-laurie-2413_brake_and-as-i-walked-i-tried-to-see-the-funny_522050.jpg)
![“[T]hey could not help being amused every time another little human believed itself the center of its world, as each of us does.” quote by Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/19e/neil-gaiman-29_amused_t-hey-could-not-help-being-amused-every_4551.jpg)
