American author Elizabeth Strout is well-known for her moving and perceptive short stories and novels. In one of her life reflections, she mentioned how growing older can occasionally sap the excitement of wonder and discovery that we frequently feel when we are young.

Strout's remarks arouse a feeling that many people experience as they age: the sense of wonder and excitement gradually wanes. The world is full of opportunities and new experiences when we are young. From learning to ride a bike to finding a favorite book that transforms your self-perception, every day offers something new and unexpected.

According to Strout, as life gets more accustomed and routine, this "Oh wow" moment gradually fades. We might discover that we are becoming accustomed to routines and losing the sense of wonder that we used to possess so effortlessly. The fact that our experiences have become richer in other ways—possibly deeper or more profound—does not imply that joy has completely vanished.

To use a metaphor, this could be compared to how an adult who has experienced many winters would respond to their first snowfall. Whereas an adult may appreciate the beauty but perhaps not with the same sense of awe, a child's sense of wonder and delight is immediate and tangible.

Strout's observation challenges us to stop and think about how we might be able to relive that sense of youth in our day-to-day activities. It's about figuring out how, even as we get older and wiser, we can see the world with a fresh sense of wonder and discovery.