If growing up means it would be
beneath my dignity to climb a tree…
I’ll never grow up, never grow up, never grow up, Not me!
Lyrics by Carolyn Leigh for the musical production of J.M. Barrie’s book Peter Pan
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Today I’m celebrating the recent launch of Youth Tube, a site brought to you by Plum Tree Books
in which anyone may share children’s art, videos, stories, reviews, songs, feature books and a whole lot more. Its vision is to encourage early literacy and children’s creativity. Tell every young person you know about this wonderful project. Teachers and home-schooling parents will particularly enjoy this outlet for their children.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Why is it that some children can’t wait to grow up while most adults would love to be children again? Yet derogatory images of childhood have crept into our language.
“Oh, don’t be childish!”
“You are such a baby!”
“He’s just never grown up.”
As we get older, we too often begin to associate childishness with the more negative attributes of some children: selfishness, poutiness, impatience, and tantrums. Society does its best to drum these traits out of us, but somewhere along the way, we can also lose other wonderful childhood traits such as a sense of wonder, fearlessness, playfulness, innocence, and trust.
Now I’m not knocking maturity. It allows us to take responsibility for our own actions and happiness. It gives us the inner fortitude to handle the challenges life throws at us. It greatly facilitates our getting along as adults in society.
But has growing up for you seemed more about soul-sucking responsibility and drudgery than joy? If so, perhaps you need to rediscover your inner child!
Here are just a few fun ways you can start. If you try each of these for just four days, you’ll begin to get back in touch with that beautiful child inside you:
- Rekindle your sense of wonder: Make a point of paying attention to the world around you. Look closely at a flower. Study the intricate patterns of a leaf or tree bark. Marvel at the immense power of a storm or the ocean. I started a nature journal so I could capture some of these experiences.
- Reflect on what makes you happy and sad: Tuck a couple of index cards in your pocket, and jot down what makes you happy or sad. As you identify situations or scenarios or activities that lift you up, consciously make more time for them. I realized how happy I felt when someone thanked me for a handwritten note. So now I write more of them! Inversely, think of ways to minimize what makes you sad or stressed. When I started paying attention to this, I discovered a direct correlation between my stress level and the amount of sleep I got the night before. Getting more sleep has been a game changer for me.
- Make time for play: This is one I struggle with myself, but researchers are discovering play is powerful therapy for stress. Think about what play means for you and make time for it. I bought myself a Buddha Board for my desk so I can doodle at will.
- Be yourself: Of course, this should always be tempered with kindness and thoughtfulness, but don’t keep people guessing about your motives or your opinions. Be a “what you see is what you get” kind of person and, even more importantly, respect and cherish that in others. It takes courage to be yourself.
- Try something new: Children aren’t afraid to set out on a new venture, but as we get older, fear of failure can become almost paralyzing. Have you mean meaning to write a book? Are you itching to turn your hobby into a business? Do you want to learn a new language? Take one baby step towards your goal today. I’m taking a course on Digital Publishing so I can write that book I’ve been talking about for years.
- Explore: Get out of your rut. Read a book or watch a move in a different genre from your usual fare. Try a new food. Go somewhere within 50 miles you’ve been meaning to visit. Our local arboretum is on my list to visit soon.
I know these simple techniques won’t fix all the stress or sadness or worry in your life, but they can help you rediscover a part of you you may have been missing.
How have you gotten in touch with your inner child? I’d love to hear in the comments below.
Photo credit: Maria Dryfhout via BigStockPhoto
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{ 24 comments… read them below or add one }
I love this, Elizabeth. Simple techniques, yes, but those are the types of techniques that work the best. Thank you.
OptyMyst´s last [type] ..It was magic
I’m so glad you feel that way! The older I can, the more of a tendency I have to break things down to their simplest common denominator. Simple things are easier to remember and deceptively powerful.
I write children’s picture books! That’s a wonderful way to remember the child inside myself. I can act like a silly little kid again and I love it. Then if I’m lucky, I can read my book to little kids and be my goofy childish self.
You’ve inspired me to write my own children’s book, even if it’s just for my future grandchildren. What a marvelous way to connect with one’s inner child. What a wonderful gift you bring to children, Allyn. I’m glad you derive so much pleasure from it yourself.
In honor of the Year of the Dragon, and because Dragons are sort of my thing, I have been spening time with various elementary school classes, telling Dragon tales and answering all their questions (as best I could). It has been such a delight to be welcomed into their world and see with wonder in their eyes. I am approaching my 6th decade, but being surrounded by such youthful enthusiasm, I hardly feel those years. The company of young people has helped me stay tapped into the very best of childhood.
Shawn MacKENZIE´s last [type] ..The magic of home-made chapbooks
What a wonderful reminder of something I should have added to my list: Spend time with children! They are the best teachers, aren’t they? Thank you for sharing this, Shawn. I know you bring delicious magic to their world too.
First of all I would like to say superb blog! I had a quick question that I’d like to ask if you do not mind. I was curious to know how you center yourself and clear your mind before writing. I’ve had difficulty clearing my mind in getting my ideas out. I do take pleasure in writing but it just seems like the first 10 to 15 minutes tend to be wasted simply just trying to figure out how to begin. Any suggestions or tips? Appreciate it!
Tasha´s last [type] ..The Aquarium Induction
Tasha, I have responded to this by personal email. Thank you for visiting!
I wholeheartedly agree. I’m a grown-up, but I dress up for Halloween, I keep a slinky on my desk, I’ve colored in coloring books in public places, and I swing on swings whenever I get the chance. I recently had a very sensible, mature, middle-aged Korean man ask me why I read books like Harry Potter because weren’t they for kids?
I sigh. I read “grown-up” books too, but hey, after a bad day nothing cheers me up like reading The Phantom Tollbooth. Call me childish!
marta´s last [type] ..Story-a-Day or Die!
You go, girl!
I totally agree about the adolescent literature. Some of it is absolutely wonderful.
I used to say that it was my job to embarrass my kids (e.g., by bursting into song in public if something reminded me of a song). Now that they’re out of the nest, I am not so spontaneous, but I’m trying to do better.
I am at my most childish when I am with my grandchildren. Their abandon and happiness washes over me, I get giddy, I express myself more freely. Being an adult is sometimes no fun at all! I’ll admit, I allow myself some silliness in public from time to time. Yes, I get furtive looks, but I also get a few smiles!
Karen S. Elliott´s last [type] ..Doubly blessed with two moms
I can’t wait to have grandchildren! I’ve heard from other friends who have the same experience you do, Karen. Sometimes I think people who give those “furtive looks” are just jealous.
Yes, love your comments. And those comments others have shared here. Like Karen E says above, playing with children can most help us be children. I watch my husband play with our 3 and 2 year old grandsons. He is an engineer – serious, intellectual, non-social – yet when he plays with the kids, he jumps, jokes, shouts, and is ridiculously goofy. They love him to bits.
Pamela´s last [type] ..Buttercups, Bollywood, and World Peace
I just LOVE the word “goofy”! It makes me smile just reading it.
I also love it when a guy can have fun too – the need for play certainly crosses the gender barrier. Thanks for visiting and commenting, Pamela!
My son is still “goofy.” I thought when he got older (he’s 32 now), he might lose some of his goofiness, but if anything — since his kids were born — he’s become even goofier (he has a new audience). He does silly dance moves, he imitates Jim Carrey or performs Monty Python and other silly dialog from movies. We might be in Walmart or at the mall and he goes and gets all goofy. Love it! He makes me laugh.
Karen S. Elliott´s last [type] ..Doubly blessed with two moms
God love him…and aren’t his kids lucky to have a dad who can have fun with them!
One of the greates perks of being around grandchildren & now a great-grandchild or the children at our church, is the opportuntiy to let my inner-child come out to play! I so love children & their honesty & their ability to just have fun! Something that I happen to be good at! One of the nicest compliments I ever received (from a professional counselor) was “that my inner-child was alive & well & that I was one of the most mischievious people he’d ever met!” I don’t think the last comment was meant to be a compliment, but it sounded like one to me. Having “A zest for life” mandates acknowledging the child in us & for me it is also where God is alive & well!
Trudy, you are one of the youngest, most beautiful people I know, and your inner child is just right! And your comment reminds me of the spiritual importance of staying in touch with our inner child too: Jesus wants us to come to him and to God as children, with trust and love and innocent wonder.
I love that you’re reading these posts — you’ve been such a dear friend for so long now, and I treasure you.
Elizabeth Cottrell´s last [type] ..Don’t let growing up destroy your inner child!
This is lovely. Last fall, I struggled with so much and was preparing for NaNoWriMo. I needed a break. I took my daughter for a walk and took pictures of her skipping and hanging out with the trees. I learned so much that day and remembered how much I used to love long hikes in the woods as a kid. Now, I pay tribute to that side of my nature as often as possible.
Our “goofy” thing is karaoke night. We grab spoons, curling irons, whatever, for our microphones, crank up the music, and sing and dance like crazy people. Even my two-year-old son joins in-even if it’s just banging on a pot. I remember dancing around with my mom growing up and think it’s a fun tradition to pass down.
I had to look up the Buddha Board, and added it to the top of my wish list. Love it!
Thanks for the wonderful post in support of children and Youth-tube.
Tonia Marie Harris´s last [type] ..The Blue Schwinn Bicycle
Tonia, what a wonderful comment. Thank you so much for sharing your experience walking in the woods with your daughter. I love the idea of family karaoke night! That will create happy memories for your children forever and give them “permission” to be goofy when they have children of their own. Love it!
Elizabeth Cottrell´s last [type] ..Don’t let growing up destroy your inner child!
So Elizabeth, where are all the men here? Smile. Maybe they’re all using pen names. I’m not. Or maybe I’m just making an incorrect assumption about the names I’m seeing here in the comments. If I’ve done that, please forgive me, Commenters.
My grandkids and great grandkids most assuredly keep me in the realm of “wonderment.” When they’re with me I love to get down on their level and try to see from their vantage point. Often, a pile-on ensues. Fun.
My own maternal Grampa was such a great model of what I think defines a grandparent. I’ll never know where he came up with: “Eh-roostah-canah-lalah-boobiah-ehzeemoojie-labba-zeetah-sputis-alah-kumah-fayis!” But we all had it memorized and he could get us all giggling with one run-through as he was pointing to whatever that jigger was under our chins. Of course, I now use it on my own little ones. More fun than should be legal!
Elizabeth, relative to your digital publishing, please allow me to “connect” you with my pastor’s wife – LynetteBonner.com – who might be someone with whom to bounce some things around.
Blessings!
Brad Boardman´s last [type] ..Easy To Please
Brad, there’s nothing sexier than a man who’s not afraid to jump into the fray with a bunch of women and share his perspective. You are always welcome at Heartspoken.com!
Blessed is the child who has a father or grandfather who will get on the floor and play…especially one who will get silly and goofy. The more researchers learn about the healing power of laughter, the more I realize what a precious gift we give our children by showing them, though our actions, that it’s good to laugh and have fun.
I love the story of your Grampa and his mystery gobbledygook — what fun! Kind of like Mary Poppins and her Supercalifragilisticexpealidocious.
I’ve just visited Lynnette site and signed up to get her updates. Thank you for that connection.
Elizabeth Cottrell´s last [type] ..Don’t let growing up destroy your inner child!
Love this blog: Don’t let growing up destroy your inner child!
Some great advice for a person needing help to regain their inner child.
For me it has been my 3 grand children who have inspired me to enrich my inner child.
Seeing things every day through their eyes is invigorating.
Thank you for visiting and commenting, Beverley. I know many people who have found their grandchildren to be a wonderful source of rediscovering their own inner child. I’m so glad that has been so for you.
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