Running through sprinklers. Tongues dyed blue. Blowing dandelions. Giggles amidst scraped knees. These are among the many nostalgic childhood memories adults reminisce about. Yet, the pressures and responsibilities of adulthood do not negate the possibility for childlike joy. Though adult life can harden people, there is immense value in engaging in unproductive exploration. As people age, they can maintain their whimsical nature by planning downtime, appreciating little things and creating moments without pressure.
As people grow older, their lives get fuller. Responsibilities stack up, leaving little room for boredom and unstructured free time. Constant activity, increased mental load and other stressors in adult life can create burnout, according to Mental Health America. Taking breaks and spending time on activities that may seem “unproductive” tasks relieves some of that pressure. As kids, moments of boredom are abundant: from running errands with parents to staring out the window on a drive, spare moments provide opportunities for minds to run wild. As adults, in a world where every moment must be optimized, pausing to focus on the present moment and simply being instead of being productive restores a person’s humanity and allows for greater engagement with the usual facets of life.
Another strategy for reviving childlike wonder is learning to appreciate small details. Life moves quickly and people often take these moments for granted. Small pleasures that will later be missed, whether due to a big move, aging or just the passage of time, change is a given. Rather than resisting it, people can prepare for it by pausing to enjoy what is in the moment. As children, there is so much of the world left to explore. It is important to remember that the same is true in adulthood. In every moment, there is something worth appreciating. The world remains a mystery, no matter how much time one has spent in it. Spend time marveling in the simple things: trees swaying in the wind, receiving a genuine compliment, the vast spectrum of color, lying in a soft bed after a long day and infinitely more.
Another important childhood trait people abandon is spontaneity. As children, we act upon our impulses, whereas adults struggle to take a leap. Adults want to think through every decision, to stay in our lanes. However, some of the most meaningful memories are often unplanned, evolving in the moment. So, go on that road trip, call up an old friend, say “yes” to an invitation and; open oneself to the possibilities of what life has to offer.
Truly, there is so much good in this world that we forget to focus on. It can be easy to slip into mindsets of survival with the pressures and heavy truths that come with growing up. However, the fascinating, colorful world that once thrilled us never changed; we did. Even if only for a moment, we can change back. Do not get stuck in a lifelong race towards goals of productivity. Life is a gift and a wonderful mystery, meant to be explored, not pushed aside by the structured adult world. Make time to remember the feeling of boredom, find love for simple details and exist without external pressures. Remember that the world is what we make of it, so if we want to relive the fairytales of our childhoods, we must be the authors.
