Life Lessons from Max
#quoteoftheday #mauricesendak #purpose #wherethewildthingsare #home #unconditionallove
I’m in California for the next couple of weeks and forgot to pack my art supplies. Note to self: always make a packing list. So while I’m away from my pencils and pens, I’ve been flipping through a few of my favorite childhood books.
Today it’s Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are.
“Let the Wild Rumpus Start”: Life Lessons for Grown-Ups
Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are has surprising wisdom for navigating adult life. Here are a few takeaways that hit a little differently once you’ve grown up:
Imagination is a Survival Skill
Max’s journey begins with chaos—he’s wild, misunderstood, and sent to his room without dinner. Instead of spiraling, he sails off into his imagination. As adults, we don’t always give ourselves permission to imagine beyond immediate stress. Creativity isn't just for kids; it’s how we problem-solve, find our way out of ruts, and cope with the unpredictable.
Emotional Intelligence Matters
Max becomes king of the Wild Things, but even in imagination, he realizes that power without empathy feels lonely. Adult life is full of negotiations—at work, in relationships, within ourselves. Leadership isn’t about roaring the loudest, but about listening, and balancing empathy with authority.
Sometimes, You Need to Go Away to Come Back
The sea, the wild forest, the crown—it’s a metaphor for the kind of distance we crave when life feels overwhelming. Max leaves to figure himself out, and along the way, he realizes what he misses. Sometimes we need the same: a weekend offline, a long walk, a change of scenery. Perspective shows up when we give ourselves space.
You Can Be Both Wild and Good
Adulthood can feel like a constant choice between being responsible and being free. But why choose? You can be messy and kind. Curious and grounded. Wild and beloved. Holding on to your wildness—that spark—isn’t immaturity. In my mind, it’s what feels most fulfilling.
“And It Was Still Hot” —
The final line hits happily: “and it was still hot.” After all his rebellion, adventures, and realizations, Max comes home to a mom who still loves him. That kind of love—whether from others or from within ourselves—is the anchor we return to. It’s a reminder that we can mess up, explore, and grow... and still be loved.
Growth doesn’t always look like a straight line, being resourceful and imaginative is sometimes exactly the right thing, and that there’s real magic in coming home—to yourself, to your people, to your dinner :)
So while I wait to be reunited with my art supplies, maybe I’ll keep going down this storybook rabbit hole. More childhood classics, more unexpected grown-up themes.
