Part 9/14:
Regarding mental flexibility and creativity, Maya champions free play—moments of boredom or unstructured activity—as fertile grounds for innovation. In an age obsessed with productivity, she encourages embracing stillness and allowing the mind to wander, explaining how breakthroughs often occur when we step away from purposeful effort.
She also underscores the importance of continuous learning, regardless of age. Picking up new skills—like her recent journey in learning Mandarin—stimulates neuroplasticity and cognitive growth. The discomfort and failures encountered along the way signal brain adaptation, leading to richer mental capacity.