I'm like a big 10-year-old when I'm on stage. I just go up there

Tyler, The Creator’s words, "I'm like a big 10-year-old when I'm on stage. I just go up there and do whatever I think is cool at the moment," reflect a profound truth about the essence of creativity and freedom. In this declaration, he sheds the weight of expectation, embracing the childlike wonder and uninhibited expression that are often stifled by adulthood. To approach life with the mind of a 10-year-old is to reject the burdens of conformity and instead embrace the joy of the present moment. It is the purest form of artistic expression, a spontaneous release of what is within, unburdened by the fear of judgment or failure.

This notion of returning to a child’s untainted view of the world mirrors the ancient wisdom shared by figures like Socrates. The philosopher was known for his belief in the pursuit of knowledge through questioning, not through rigid adherence to conventional wisdom. Socrates often rejected the sophistication and restraint of the scholars of his time, favoring instead the innocence of curiosity—a characteristic typically found in the young. He valued questioning everything, seeking truth not in what was known, but in the unexplored realms of thought, much like Tyler, The Creator seeks new frontiers in his art by simply being himself, unencumbered by what is expected.

Consider the story of Leonardo da Vinci, who, as a child, displayed an unbounded curiosity. His notebooks are filled with sketches of nature, machines, and dreams of the future. Da Vinci, much like the 10-year-old Tyler, approached his creations not with a prescribed formula, but with the reckless enthusiasm of a young boy. Da Vinci’s genius was not born from conformity, but from a childlike exploration of the world—a world that he sought to understand through unrestricted imagination and bold experimentation. It was through this unfettered, youthful spirit that he achieved timeless greatness, blending the child’s wonder with the adult’s intellect.

Tyler’s embrace of his inner child—the big 10-year-old on stage—is a declaration of freedom. In a world that often prioritizes perfection and restraint, Tyler reminds us of the beauty in spontaneity and playfulness. To stand before an audience and do whatever one thinks is cool in the moment is to show an unyielding commitment to self-expression. It is a bold rejection of the structured, predictable performances of many artists who carefully curate their every move. Tyler's art is an expression of joy, a celebration of the present moment that echoes the wisdom of the ancients—to live fully and freely, unshackled by the expectations of others.

This philosophy is evident in the lives of many great figures in history who refused to let the world mold them into conventional shapes. Albert Einstein, for example, saw the world not through the lens of established norms, but through the curious, questioning eyes of a child. His greatest breakthroughs, such as the theory of relativity, were born from his willingness to think differently, to embrace the seemingly nonsensical and to play with ideas that defied logic. Einstein’s commitment to following his own intuition and wonder led to a revolution in our understanding of the universe, just as Tyler’s free-spirited artistry challenges the boundaries of what is possible in music and culture.

The lesson here is profound: we must all strive to hold onto that childlike innocence and curiosity, especially as we grow older. Life, like art, is best lived when we approach it with an open heart and a reckless spirit—willing to experiment, to fail, and to explore without concern for the judgment of others. It is this spirit of unfiltered expression that leads to the most profound achievements. Like Tyler, The Creator, we must learn to embrace the idea that creativity and freedom are found not in rigid structure, but in the spontaneous expression of what lies within. Let us approach life with the enthusiasm and daring of a 10-year-old, doing what we think is cool, not for the world, but for ourselves.