Staying Young At Heart

So as I was eating breakfast today, it occurred to me that perhaps I should think about growing up.

As it turns out, I don't really qualify as an adult, and since I'm going to end up teaching high school I should probably attempt to be an adult as some point in my life.

Or not.

I rather enjoy being a little bit childlike (note: different from being immature) and I think that it makes up for all of the boring stuff that we have to do as adults.  I don't know that I need to join the Lost Boys in Neverneverland, but that doesn't mean I can't still enjoy the whims that make childhood so much fun.

But how does one stay young?  How do I avoid giving up my childlike joy of living?  I've come up with a few ideas to keep me from turning into a cranky old lady some day.

The Anti-Cranky Old Lady List

1.  Never eat "adult" cereal.
Sure, Kashi might be healthier for you, but it tastes like rainbows dying.  It is to be avoided at all costs.  Similarly, any other cereal without a cartoon character on the box is to be avoided.

2.  Splash through puddles.
Dry pants are for cranky old ladies (well, unless they're incontinent, but that's not what I mean).  Practicality must sometimes be ignored for the sake of really excellent puddle jumping.




3.  Lay on your back and stare up for a while.
At the ceiling.  At a tree.  At the clouds.  At the stars.  At the inside of your prison chamber (kidding!).  Look up, really look, and let your imagination run wild.  Or, at the very least, just slow down enough to pay attention to the world.

4.  Play with puppies or kitties.

No, this does not say "torment small fluffy animals with laser pointers."  That doesn't count.  Grab some string or a stuffed animal or even just tickle with your hand.  And when they get tired and lay down for a nap in the middle of it, cuddle up with them.

5.  Remember to tell your loved ones  how much they mean to you.

I'm talking about doing this in a way that's absolutely silly.  Come up with silly, affectionate nicknames.  Give them cards with googley-eyed cartoon characters.  Write them text messages with horrible spelling.  However you do it, make sure they know that you love them.

6.  Do kid-friendly crafts.

When was the last time you colored a page from a coloring book?  Or made a homemade Valentine's Day card?  Or made a mud pie?  I think we get so caught up being "sophisticated" with our creativity that we forget to have FUN with our craftiness.  Forget that.  Have fun just creating, and forget about trying to impress anyone because you used mauve- and beige-colored paint or your sculpture looks almost lifelike.

7.  Never forget that you are a pretty pretty princess (or prince).
Seriously.  You are amazing.  You have a whole kingdom that adores you and you deserved that adoration.  The only reason to ever stop pretending, at least in the back of your mind, that you're royalty is because you've grown up.  Being a princess doesn't mean being a spoiled brat, it just means loving yourself enough to demand the respect you actually deserve.

8.  Stay home sick sometimes.

There's such a push as we grow older to ignore our bodies when they feel ill and just go to work and tough it out.  But taking a break because you need to physically (or mentally!) rest in order to feel better is sometimes the best thing you can do for yourself.  This is not an excuse to be lazy and stop functioning every time you get a mild headache, but rather permission to stop overworking yourself and making the situation both longer and more uncomfortable.

9.  Dress how you want.  They'll love you for it.
So yes, there are some occasions that require a dress code (work, weddings, church, etc.), but dressing like a "sensible adult" all the time is just icky.  It has the potential to make us forget who we are or were or want to be, and it's a type of conforming that can be quite damaging.  So express yourself through a few awesome pieces, from that offbeat piece of jewelry to those wicked yellow snakeskin leggings.  Wear it with confidence, and how the fashion police and "sensible adults" who's really in charge.

10.  Ask questions.

How did we learn so much so fast as kids?  We asked.  We were curious, and we found out the answers.  While it might be a little less acceptable to be downright rude or annoying with questions as adults, do it anyway sometimes.  You might be surprised at how willing (and grateful) someone is to talk to you.  Teach yourself to be ok with sounding stupid.  Become friends with Google and Wikipedia.  Keep learning, and your mind will keep growing.

11.  Go on, throw a tantrum.
Being occasionally angry is ok.  Studies have been done that confirm that holding all those emotions inside isn't healthy and leads to all sort of awful medical problems.  Don't go around being a crazy pessimistic DRAMA QUEEN all of the time, but go ahead and let it all out every now and then.

12.  Admit that you're afraid of the monster under your bed sometimes.

We all have things we're afraid of.  But pretending they don't exist doesn't help us get through that.  Sometimes, telling someone what we're afraid of allows us to open up and examine the fear for what it really is.  Sometimes, it helps us find answers.  And sometimes, it just allows someone else to tell us it will be ok and get a hug.

13.  Swing on the swings.

Remember how you used to feel pumping your legs and getting as high as you could?  'Nuff said.

14.  Hold someone's had when you cross the street.
Big decisions can sometimes be scary.  It's ok to ask someone to be there for you when you make them.  Support from loved ones can be hard to ask for, but it's totally worth it, and most of the time they can't wait to help you.  You'd do it for them, and they love you just as much.

15.  Giggle, shout, sing in public, dance in the rain, make snow angels, cry, ENJOY LIVING.

It's not always about being in charge of our emotions in a socially acceptable way.  Sometimes, a big loud belly laugh is just what the doctor ordered.  Making snow angels is spontaneous and feels good.  Crying with abandon can be more effective than years of sullen therapy.  ENJOY IT.  Let yourself.  It's ok.

Young At Heart!!