As we continue to grow up, we begin to leave many things behind from our childhood. College is hard. It is the true beginning of adulthood and to be honest, that doesn’t always sound all that fun. I often look around and see individuals who are stressed beyond measure. Maybe they can’t get motivated; we all struggle with getting out of bed some days. With all the adversities of college life and adulthood, it is oftentimes hard to navigate how to take care of ourselves. I know we’ve all seen the infographics of self-care tactics, and while those are helpful, they don’t always work for everyone, and to be honest… very few people have time for them anyways.
If you’re reading this you may have been captivated by the word nostalgic. That’s one thing everyone wants to feel these days. No matter how bad of a day one has, having that hint of nostalgia can bring back such happy memories of childhood. One thing that I believe we forget how to do once we attempt to grow up, is take care of our inner child. Many of us get caught up in our adult worries, and nothing feels fun anymore. Taking care of that inner child can be so beneficial for our overall well-being. I believe by bridging the silliness of childhood with our current lives, we can feel more happy and more motivated to accomplish daily tasks.
How do I take care of my inner child and what does that even mean? I see it as meaning different things for every individual. It is looking for those moments that make you feel like a happy carefree kid. These activities don’t even have to be something that you did when you were a kid, while they could be, that is not the primary goal. This conscious choice one makes to take care of your inner child is more about the simplistic comfort and silliness you so desire to feel. There is no one way to accomplish this goal, it’s all about trial and error.
Maybe you have no idea where to start! Here are some examples of how I try to incite carefree joy and comfort. First, I love to sit and color with my friends, sometimes putting on my favorite show or movie in the background. Maybe you love to play games – if so let me know if you ever want to play Sims 4 together. These outlets are great during school because we don’t have to use our brains too much. If you want to get more simplistic… just go outside! Perhaps to a park where you can take a break from campus and walk around, swing or make a flower crown. It could even be finding comfort in a warm drink on a rainy day. Maybe you don’t have time for that on a regular basis… that’s where you incorporate basic silliness into your daily routine. Trust me, it is easier than you think. Maybe you skip to class, or dance around your room a bit on a study break. It can be as easy as reminding yourself to laugh or just incorporating your own personal silliness into life. It is all about being mindful and remembering that you’re still just a kid on the inside who wants to play and have fun. Taking care of your inner child isn’t always easy, and it is a hard task to remember. It may take a while to figure out what works for you. I hope after reading this you feel inspired to be silly and go on more random adventures just for fun. Good luck!
