The Wonder & Whimsy of Childhood: Bringing it Back

Experpt: "Optimism and excitement despite the constant opportunity to be cynical is truly one of the most powerful things we have as human beings, and maybe looking to the little versions of us that we still carry with us is the answer to creating a more vibrant and authentic life."

Image sourced from Pinterest, creator unknown.

As a child, my biggest fear of growing up was having to let go of fun.

I thought adulthood was all about being serious and stern, saying no to things, being responsible. I suppose it is in a sense—I mean, the fridge won't fill itself. But every now and then, I'd get a glimpse of my babysitter or the older next-door neighbor gleaming with joy as I made them play hopscotch with my imaginary friends, learn a dance routine with feather boas and glittery cheeks, or when I'd introduce them to my favorite Barbies. And I thought, "the fun is in there."

I think once you pass from the stage of being entranced by the idea of a Santa Claus in the sky, or your dino nuggets running from the gravy lava pouring from your mashed potatoes, you enter the stage where having a crush, your first kiss, driving a car for the first time, or having your own $50 to spend at the mall, becomes your new wonder.

Eighteen is when that wonder is replaced with curiosity and fright for feeling like you're off on your own for the first time (but really, the support is all around you). But what about 24, 25, 30? 35? Where does that wonder go?

Some may think that playing hopscotch when you're 25 is too childish: having extra colorful baths (thank you, Lush), planning arts and crafts nights or dress-up parties with your friends, jumping in puddles, blowing bubbles off your balcony, cupcakes for breakfast, trampolines—I mean, need I say more? Did your heart beat a little faster as you read that? Childish.

What does it mean for something to be childish? By dictionary definition, childish means to be silly, immature, disapproving, or to behave badly. Sure, there are contexts where using childish in its negative context as intended makes sense. But I wonder if we were to reinvent it to mean open-minded, curious, imaginative, resilient, authentic, and optimistic. These are the traits inherent to a child, and yet, when seen in adults, there is a societal exhibition of judgment due to values surrounding professionalism and "maturity."

Someone who is curious may be seen as naive or intrusive. Someone who is adventurous may be judged as reckless or irresponsible. Even someone who is optimistic may be seen as unrealistic or overly idealistic.

There is this social conditioning as we grow older to suppress our childlike whimsy and wonder to "grow up" in favor of more stoic and predictable traits. I think that's silly. Of course, professionalism is important and called for in a number of contexts, but in the great experience of life itself, we should encourage silliness, splashing, spinning, and the like.

These very qualities we see and appreciate in children—and oftentimes judge in adults—are the qualities that foster creativity and innovation. They encourage curiosity, imagination, and playfulness, which can help us approach challenges with fresh perspectives and simply have more fun. They also help us build resilience and adaptability, allowing us to find joy even in difficulties and view setbacks as opportunities for growth rather than failures. Embracing childlike traits allows us to become more authentic and positive people, which helps us build more trust, community, and vibrancy in our lives.

As someone who is an avid enthusiast of appreciating and embracing childlike wonder and whimsy, here are my favorite things to incorporate into my life to make things feel a bit lighter, more exciting, and more optimistic. Life is about having fun, right?

Blowing bubbles: Yes, exactly what it sounds like. Head to your local dollar store, find a bottle of $1.25 bubbles. I personally like to sit on my balcony in the warmer months and blow bubbles. I'll trace them with my eyes until eventually they get lost in the cityscape—but how fun.

Weekly baking: Okay, this one might not be necessarily reserved for childlike wonder, but how excited would you get when your parents told you you'd get to bake cookies, and you would even get to lick the bowl? Each week, I make a different recipe, and then I bring some to each of the neighbors on my floor. I may not know them well, but I fully support bringing back the "asking my neighbor for a cup of sugar" relationship that has been lost with the increasing isolation happening in big cities. Anyway, I know they love my weekly inventions, and I do enjoy licking the bowl.

Write a story or do some crafts: See, I started this blog purely to enjoy my hunger for writing and sharing. As a child, I wrote countless books, "novels," and short stories. I wanted to be an author, and I truly believed that would be my calling, though that dream has been shelved for now. I remember my first-ever 10-page story in the 3rd grade. It was called The Candy Tree. It was about a teacher who learned every student's favorite candy and stuck it up on a fake tree in the classroom. Each student would set a goal to achieve by the end of the year, and if they did it by the last day of school, they got their favorite candy from the candy tree. I was very proud of that story. My 3rd-grade teacher at the time, Madame Noel, probably thought it was a suggestion for her to buy us candy. Nevertheless, tap into your childlike wonder by creating. Write, color in coloring books, make plasticine figurines, glue magazine clippings onto poster paper. Create.

With this comes the question: "What did you love doing as a child?" Sit for a second, think on it. Before you move on to the next point, have an answer in mind.

I loved going on the swings. I'd go as high as I could, close my eyes, and throw my head back. It felt like I was falling through space. Still, whenever I need to feel light and floaty and detach, I find a swing set, usually by the beach, and I swing. Sure, every now and again, I get an odd look from another adult walking by, but I'm sure they just wish they could be on the swings too.

I recently asked my little brother to come do coloring pages at a café with me while I was visiting for Christmas. It's a calm, bonding activity, and it's fun. It may seem "silly," but what's so silly about coloring in a picture of a butterfly while you enjoy a hot mocha? Coloring actually has a lot of psychological benefits too. Not only is it amazing for anxiety and stress, but it also improves focus and concentration. It can boost fine motor skills, enhance mood, and even support your memory and cognitive function. So, if the joy of filling in lines with your favorite colors isn't enough to sway you, maybe the psychological benefits will.

Trying new hobbies: As kids, we tried everything under the sun, and we believed in ourselves enough to try and try again. Whether it be sports, or dance, or arts, singing, trumpet, ballet—you name it—there was often a curiosity to try it. As adults, we tell ourselves we're too old, past our prime, it's useless to try and learn something new. Yeah, it's true our brains are more adaptable at learning brand new things when we're younger, but that doesn't mean we should give up on the things that intrigue us. Even if learning a new skill will take you a year just to get decent at, the year will pass anyway. Enjoy your time, build your confidence, have fun, improve your cognitive function, and go learn that new thing. My new "things" have been teaching myself to play the piano. And by piano, I mean a $30 keyboard from Amazon—but hey, it's a start. I'm not great, but if I keep at it, maybe when I'm 40 I'll finally be able to play Clair de Lune fluently by heart. I have hope.

I suppose the thing is that life can feel scary, intense, or dull. There's so much happening globally, and once you're released from the safety of your home and there's no one in the bedroom down the hall to guide you with every step you take, the weight of the world and the responsibilities of adulthood can take over. We forget about all the things that make life exciting in the mundane moments—the moments between the big things.

Get excited about forgetting your umbrella when it starts to downpour. Try that weird fruit at your local supermarket. Learn to do the worm. Host a slumber party. Optimism and excitement despite the constant opportunity to be cynical is truly one of the most powerful things we have as human beings, and maybe looking to the little versions of us that we still carry with us is the answer to creating a more vibrant and authentic life.

Let me know what you choose to do with your newfound whimsy and wonder.

xx

Olivia