Joseph Campbell argues that the stages of human development are the same as they were in ancient times, and so your brain still responds to the same symbolic gestures your ancestors would encounter during their transition from boyhood to manhood.
If you’re having trouble transitioning from one stage to the next, Campbell claims it can help to look at the rites of passage present in ancient myths. One example is changing your mode of dress to usher in a life transition. By purposefully introducing these symbolic gestures into your own life, you can tap into the pathway of maturity that exists within your subconscious.