We are living in stressful times and sometimes the best way to get out of your head is by adopting a more youthful mindset. When we were kids, we saw beauty in the small things in life and took advantage of every opportunity to have fun.
If you want to remember what it was like to be a kid, try some of these activities!
1. Call the baby of the family.
Do you have a toddler in your family—a niece, nephew, or young cousin? If you do, pick up the phone and call them, or better yet, video chat with them.
Children can easily become bored, so they will probably appreciate receiving a call from a beloved family member when they’ve been at home for so long. Ask them what they did today, if they did anything fun, or if they learned something new.
They will probably be eager to tell you all about their latest adventures and show you their toys. Kids have an infectious joy about them, and by calling them and experiencing their cheery disposition, you too will feel happy.
2. Watch your favorite childhood movie.
This is quite self-explanatory, but a very important activity. When we were young, we all had that one movie that we begged our parents to watch over and over again. You never got tired of it because there was just something about it that made you happy.
Think about what movie from your childhood gave you that feeling. Find that movie on your television or streaming service, set up your couch with blankets and pillows, grab some popcorn and enjoy yourself. We don’t often get the chance to indulge ourselves in nostalgia, so make this a special event for yourself.
If you want to take it a step further, buy some of your favorite candy from when you were a kid. If you are not able to find that movie anywhere, then watch a movie with your niece, nephew, or cousin instead. Ask what their favorite movie is and give it a go. You might be surprised to find out how much you enjoy it.
3) Play outside!
When we were kids, we spent most of our days outside running around and playing in the dirt. Because of technology, children today don’t seem to have the same experience, so if you have kids, try to get them involved with this activity.
Grab your sneakers, go outside, and have some fun. It doesn’t have to be a high-intensive, physical exercise. Kids are fascinated with everything they see that they don’t feel the need to do something “productive” every second of every day.
Adopt this mentality and just go outside and notice your surroundings. Maybe you want to work in the garden for a bit, lay on the grass, watch the birds in the park, or make up a game. Take the time to enjoy the outdoors and remind yourself why you loved playing outside so much as a kid. Imagination is key.
4. Build a fort.
This is my favorite activity. We all built forts when we were kids. We would run around the house finding sheets and blankets, set them up on top of some chairs and then fill the inside of the fort with twinkly lights, favorite toys, and some snacks so we never had to leave.
Depending on your living situation, try this yourself. If you have a family, get them involved in the process. Try to build a fort big enough for the whole family. If you have a roommate who likes trying new things, get them involved too.
Once you build your fort, spend a few hours there doing things you enjoy. Listen to music, work on a puzzle, play board games with your family, or just read.
You don’t have to do anything specific because it’s mainly about being in a little safe space from the rest of the world. A change of scenery is very helpful when we feel stuck in a rut, and this may be a good way to be able to see a different view without leaving your house.
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All of these activities are about having fun. Sure, some of them may feel a bit strange to do now, but remember, kids don’t really care about how they appear to others. They just want to enjoy themselves, so take that same mentality and unleash your inner child.
Reflect & Refresh 