People who were mocked for having an imaginary friend as children tend to have these 8 strengths as adults

If you ever had an imaginary friend as a kid, you might have been laughed at.

But here’s the thing, having an imaginary friend isn’t a sign of weakness.

In fact, it’s the opposite. Children with the creativity and emotional intelligence to imagine friends often grow into adults with unique strengths.

These so-called “weird” kids? They usually exhibit 8 specific strengths in adulthood that set them apart from the crowd.

Let’s take a look into this rather interesting correlation between childhood imaginary friends and adult strengths:

1) Creativity

Remember when you were a kid and your imaginary friend was your partner in crime, your confidant, your superhero?

Well, that wasn’t just a fun pastime. Actually, it was your young mind flexing its creativity muscles, creating entire characters and stories from scratch.

Fast forward to adulthood, and you’ve got individuals who are often more imaginative and innovative than their peers. They’re the ones who can think outside the box, who can find unique solutions to problems that others might not see.

If you had an imaginary friend as a child, chances are you’ve retained this creative spark into adulthood.

Isn’t that awesome?

2) Emotional intelligence

Growing up, I had an imaginary friend named Lucy. I remember sharing my deepest secrets with her, and she always seemed to understand, even when no one else did.

As an adult, I’ve realized that those childhood conversations with Lucy were actually a way for me to process my own feelings and emotions. This early emotional exploration helped me develop a rich emotional intelligence that I carry into my relationships today.

Having the ability to navigate and understand not just my own emotions, but also those of others, is a strength that I attribute to my childhood imaginary friend.

3) Empathy

Remember how your imaginary friend would always listen to your concerns and feelings? This early experience often translates into a heightened sense of empathy in adulthood.

According to a study published in the Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, children who had imaginary friends were found to be more understanding and considerate of other people’s feelings, compared to those who didn’t have imaginary friends.

In adulthood, these individuals often excel in roles that require understanding and caring for others’ emotional needs. They’re the ones who can sense tension in a room and who always seem to know when someone needs a shoulder to lean on.

4) Problem-solving skills

Remember those times when you and your imaginary friend had to figure out how to build a fort with limited resources or navigate through the wilderness of your backyard?

Those childhood adventures were more than just games. They were your brain’s training ground for problem-solving.

Being left alone with your thoughts and having to invent scenarios for you and your imaginary friend to navigate through, instills a knack for problem-solving in adulthood. You learn how to think on your feet, come up with innovative solutions, and tackle challenges head-on.

5) Communication skills

I remember talking for hours with my imaginary friend, Toby. It seemed like we could discuss everything under the sun. And while it may have looked like I was just talking to myself, I was actually honing my communication skills.

When you’re communicating with your imaginary friend, you’re essentially expressing your thoughts and feelings out loud.

This practice of verbalizing your thoughts can greatly enhance your ability to articulate your ideas clearly and effectively as an adult.

I can confidently say that those long conversations with Toby have greatly influenced my communication abilities today. It’s a skill that I’m grateful to have, and it’s one that I owe to my childhood imaginary friend.

6) Independence

You’d think that having an imaginary friend would mean relying on someone else, even if that someone else is just a figment of your imagination. But in truth, it’s quite the opposite.

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Having an imaginary friend often means you’re comfortable in your own company. You’re able to entertain yourself, engage your mind, and rely on your own creativity for companionship.

This ability to be self-reliant often translates into a strong sense of independence in adulthood. These individuals are comfortable being alone, can entertain themselves, and are often self-starters.

7) Adaptability

Remember how your imaginary friend could change from a pirate to a princess, or from a dragon to a teddy bear, all in the span of a single afternoon?

This ability to easily adapt and transform is another strength that often carries into adulthood. Being flexible and able to roll with the punches is a highly valuable skill in today’s fast-paced world.

Whether it’s adapting to a new work environment, adjusting to unexpected circumstances, or just going with the flow when plans change at the last minute, adults who had imaginary friends as children often excel at adapting quickly and efficiently.

8) Resilience

Having an imaginary friend as a child often means facing ridicule from peers or misunderstanding from adults. But those who withstand this mockery and continue to embrace their imaginary companions are building a foundation of resilience.

This ability to face adversity, stand tall in the face of misunderstanding, and persist despite challenges is a powerful strength in adulthood. It equips individuals to handle life’s ups and downs with grace and perseverance.

Resilience is perhaps the most valuable strength that having an imaginary friend can cultivate. And it’s one that can carry you through life’s toughest trials.

Embracing the imagination

If you’ve followed along, you’ll see that having an imaginary friend in childhood is not to be dismissed. It’s a sign of creativity, emotional intelligence, and a unique perspective.

This isn’t about being odd; it’s about embracing individuality, fostering creativity, and nurturing emotional depth.

So if you had an imaginary friend as a child, celebrate that!

Know that your early flights of fancy have equipped you with strengths that serve you well in adulthood.