Childhood is often the most beautiful phase of our lives. No stress about paying the bills. No midlife crises. No worries about the future. Just a carefree period of life where ice cream selection is the ultimate conundrum and fights with siblings over the TV remote are the final conflict. The irony of human life is that there is no way to know that we're in the good ol' days before we've actually left them. However, it is not all doom and gloom after you enter adulthood. It has its unique quirks, challenges, and moments of joy. The mateship with new friends, the connection with your spouse, and the rekindling of ties with family have their moments of pure, unadulterated joy.
However, life is not always fun and games. The drudgery and mundanity of regular life can bog a person down. People can often feel like they are running on a treadmill and going nowhere. In such dark moments, nostalgia can serve as a powerful emotion to revive the spirits and uplift the mood. Reconnecting with fond memories of the past can help battle negative emotions and stress. Here are some ways to easily rekindle those little nuggets of joy:
1. Answer Nature’s Call (the other one)
If your childhood was filled with random jaunts in green spaces, nature could help recreate some of that magic. Go for hiking trails, camping trips, beach surfs, or even a walk in the local park. Spending time near nature has proven to have a positive impact on both mental and physical health. If possible, you could also go to green spaces in your workday during one of those minibreaks to rejuvenate your spirits and calm your mind.
2. Shake that Leg
If you found yourself breaking into impromptu dance sessions in one of those old childhood videos, perhaps it is time to hit the dance floor again. Join a casual dance class or simply dance at home. You could even burn some of those calories off if you fancy it and have fun while you’re at it. It also reduces stress and hikes up the energy levels. The dance form could even be connected to your cultural roots or childhood memories for an even stronger hit of nostalgia.
3. Turn into Picasso
Not really. But you could try out painting. You could even get your creative juices flowing and conjure up something respectable, perhaps? You could try sketching, dabble in painting a canvas, or even take out the iPad and experiment with digital drawing apps. Another good idea could be to turn to clay and create something wacky. Even the mere smell of clay could ignite the feelings of those worry-free days.
4. Go on a Lolly Hunting Spree
Let memories take you to the candy shop. Treat yourself to a good mix of lollies and chocolates and satisfy that sweet tooth. Browse the chocolate aisle at Woollies or Coles, go to a retro lolly store, or order yourself a good ol’ lolly hamper online if you don’t feel like going out. A good hamper can take you back in time and rekindle those moments of pure joy.
5. Embrace Your Inner ‘Bob the Builder’
If playing with Lego was a core childhood memory, then this is a no-brainer. Few things can beat the sheer satisfaction that one gets on completing a Lego set. The clicking of those bricks could also unlock some cool moments from the past, which are buried deep in your memory chest. If you want to take things to the next level, you could also try more intricate and complex sets to truly challenge yourself.
6. Collect Something you Love
It doesn’t always have to be something that demands a lot of time and effort. You could extract temporary bliss even from innocuous acts like restarting one of those childhood collections. Some popular items of collection typically include cards, stamps, bottle caps, and shoes. To be fair, it could honestly be anything that you care about.
At the end of the day, we need to reconsider the notion that life is nothing but a collection of memories. In the hunt for the next promotion, the chase for social status, and the race of life, we often forget to live in the moment and tend to constantly either worry about the future or regret the past. Childhood is one of those pristine phases of life where we tend to live life to the fullest. Reconnecting to those moments of pure innocence could perhaps rekindle that spark and lift our state of mind. Spending more time in nature, whipping up a few dance moves, venturing into painting, going for a lolly dash, building Lego sets, or simply collecting something close to your heart could unlock some of that magic. Embracing the inner child could really light up a person’s day.
ABOUT OUR CONTRIBUTOR:
Holly Hou is a freelance writer focusing on lifestyle and wellness topics. She has a background in communications and enjoys exploring new trends in health and mindfulness. When she’s not writing, Holly loves hiking, experimenting with plant-based recipes, and spending time with her cat.
