If there’s anything I’ve learned since turning 20, it’s that adulthood is a lot more difficult than younger me could have ever imagined. I’m not even a premium adult yet! However, there is always so much to do. Through all the hustle and bustle of adulthood, it’s hard to find joy in things that you used to.Â
One thing that has kept me sane is the concept of embracing your inner child. Many of you have probably heard this phrase thrown around online, but what does it mean?
The concept of the inner child was first introduced by psychologist Carl Jung. Jung had many ideas of the self and aspects of people’s personalities that are classified as “Jungian Archetypes.” These archetypes are what inspired the Myers-Brig Test.
The concept of healing the inner child is essentially reflecting on your childhood in order to grow in the present. There are many different ways you can do this, including therapy. But also, just enjoying things that you used to enjoy as a kid. Think Jennifer Garner in “13 going on 30.”
When you get older, it is generally assumed that you can’t do things like play with toys or watch cartoons or even rent a bounce house for you and your friends as an adult. These actions are usually frowned upon and seen as “immature.” I beg to differ. I think enjoying the things you enjoyed as a child or even experiencing things you never got to experience as a child are very important.Â
I have found many ways to embrace my childhood whimsy.Â
One thing that I love to do is collect Littlest Pet Shops. They were one of my favorite toys to play with when I was little. I fell in love with them so much that I have decided to pick up the hobby of collecting them in my adulthood. I have a bunch lined up on my bookshelf. I also collect Bratz Chloe dolls. She was always my favorite growing up. This might seem silly to others, but it’s something that brings me joy.
Some other things that are whimsical and embrace my inner childÂ
- Coloring
- Watching my froggy stuff on YouTubeÂ
- Watching cartoonsÂ
- Drinking juice out of wineglassesÂ
- Vienna by Billy JoelÂ
- Having typical girly sleepovers, pillow fights, and all
As with everything, I’ve made a playlist for this. I know, I know, when will I be stopped? The answer is never.Â
My point is, there is this immense pressure to figure your entire life out. Who you want to be, where you want to work, what you want to do next. This idea that the moment you turn 18, you need to be mature and figure your life out. We believe that we should meet certain milestones and have certain accomplishments by the time we are in adulthood. But it’s a fallacy. Because the truth is, no one will ever have it figured out. Not even the most adulty adult person you know. And yes, I’m using made up words. We are all living and going through life for the first time, which means there’s no right way to do it.Â
In my Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies courses, we talk about the idea of queering time. This essentially means not living up to set exceptional timelines that society has given us. Time is not linear, and we should start teaching it as such. The idea that we are supposed to be striving for success twenty-four seven, seven days a week, for the rest of the foreseeable future isn’t sustainable. It leads to burnout and that intense feeling of never being enough. I think everyone should go through life thinking of it as just gaining experience. We all need to focus more on doing things that bring us joy instead of burning ourselves out.Â
Do things for your own enjoyment! Even if it’s childish. What is so wrong with that?