Girls are taught at a young age that they will mature faster than their male peers – not just in the physical sense but in their mindset. That expectation often pushes them out of childhood long before they’re ready.
As an adult, I see how social media has sped up this process. I remember it wasn’t until middle school that I started to feel the pressure of growing up. Now, I see girls that aren’t even teenagers shopping at places like Ulta and wearing clothes that align with current fashion trends — unlike me who wore knee high socks and graphic tees.
It hurts to see their shine from childhood disappear so quickly. High school and college bring an immense amount of pressure to succeed. Whether it’s in school, work or something else, it causes a lot of stress.
In my childhood, I don’t ever recall being stressed out. My parents provided me with a wonderful life, and I could not be more grateful that I had such an amazing youth. I did not have to worry about bills, food or shelter. I got to be a crazy kid with no expectations. They helped me with homework when I struggled and let me play with the neighbors until dark. They set screen limits, which I complained about but am now grateful for — it wasn’t until I grew older that I realized how amazing being a child can be.
There is so much stress in the world. As a political science major, it is hard to disregard the dangerous and upsetting things happening across the country. When I was a kid, I never thought about politics —Why would I? Being informed and educated is important to me, but as a kid, my only priority was making sure my cousin could come over to play Barbies with me.
It took some time, but I finally realized how important it was to let go from the “adult priorities” once in a while. It is okay to put away all the stress, pressure and anything else that might be causing my brain anxiety. Doing things that bring back my inner child helped put all these things on hold — it helped me breathe through everything going on. Everyone had a different activity they loved as a child — here’s how I embraced some of mine as an adult.
Crafting without Perfection
When I was in elementary school, I loved to express my creative side — coloring, painting and any craft I could get my hands on filled me with immense joy. I could create freely with no expectations or criticism. As an adult, it can be hard to create without aiming for perfection. Your brain might trick you into thinking there is no point if the outcome isn’t good. It took me a few years to disregard this kind of thinking. The point of painting, coloring or creating is to enjoy the process more than the outcome. If you are not a professional, there is no need to worry about what the result will be. Getting away from screens and reactivating your imagination brings out a side of your inner child that has been hidden from years of adulthood. If I color outside the lines or my painting didn’t turn out like the Pinterest photo, I don’t mind. It was a mindless activity that brought me joy — no stress, no pressure, just creativity. It puts me at an ease that I can’t truly explain. Without the pressure of perfection, you can be in the moment.
Stuffed Animals
Growing up, my dad had to build me an extra shelf to hold my stuffed animals. I would sleep with as many as my bed could hold. They brought me a sense of comfort and safety. I always had one around the house, and my parents had to limit me to one when we went out.
As I grew older, stuffed animals were considered something for babies. I was told I was getting too old for them. I stopped bringing them on vacations or to friends’ houses when I spent the night; I gave most of them up. There were a few I put in the closet, too sentimental to get rid of, but I stopped sleeping with them in bed. I had grown up.
A few years ago, there was a viral weighted stuffed dinosaur at Target. Everyone was getting them, especially adults, and I was a bit thrown off. My brother, who was older than me, had one. I decided I would join the trend and buy one. I already had a weighted blanket, which I enjoyed, so I figured a weighted stuffed animal wouldn’t be much different. It was a shocking realization how dissimilar it turned out to be.Â
As I write this, that weighted dinosaur sits on my college apartment bed. I have had it for three years. Alongside it is a weighted bear and a weighted Snoopy, also acquired from Target.
Once I realized how much comfort this weighted dinosaur brought me, I knew I would need more — I didn’t think it was childish. They brought me joy and I slept better than before because it reminded me of when I was a kid. It was so easy to curl up in bed with the safety of all my stuffed animals around me. I try to be sustainable about what I buy now, but I will admit the struggle I face when I see a new weighted stuffed animal in the store. (I just found out they have a weighted pig and the urge to go to Target right now is strong.) No one judges me, and if they do, I couldn’t care less. Stuffed animals make me happy, just like they did when I was a kid. Why would I sacrifice that?
Some Advice
The activities I do to let my inner child shine through may not work for everyone. My anxiety is something I’ve been working on for years. People may need time to figure out what helps ease theirs. All I suggest, for anyone struggling with stress, is to try. Take a break from the internet, put on some music or maybe just be in silence. Look back on an activity you used to love as a kid. Buy snacks, like Capri-Suns or Goldfish — yes, I still buy both — and simply enjoy doing something with no expectations. Let yourself be in the moment — I hope it can help you like it has helped me.