From the moment we’re born, we’re all on a conveyer belt headed in one direction: adulthood. And pretty soon, we find ourselves overwhelmed with responsibilities — the refrigerator doesn’t re-stock itself, bills don’t pay themselves, and toilet paper doesn’t grow on trees.
Caught in a tornado of duties, we quickly forget our humble beginnings and the valuable lessons we can draw from them.
So, stop and think back to when you were a kid and how you perceived the world. You can learn a lot and find ways to make big improvements in your life by just embracing the little kid that’s inside of you. Here are 15 things we can all learn from kids.
1. Live one day at a time
Forget about next week’s appointment, your bills, the PowerPoint deck your boss wants you to put together. Live in the moment and just focus on what you are doing right now. As we grow, we learn to live more and more in our thoughts, and less and less in the moment. Get back to the basics.
2. Have zero concept of fashion
When I let my kids dress themselves, I end up at the grocery store with Batman, Spider-Man, or Elsa. They don’t care who’s looking at them; they’re oblivious to the smiles they foster as they walk down the aisle looking for cookies. They’re in their own world, doing what makes them happy. Do the same. Just be you.
3. Remember that home is where the heart is
Kids care less about what’s going on in the real world, and more about what’s going on at home. No matter what storm you might be weathering, there are always some things you can be grateful for: your family, your friends, your house, your laughter, your strength.
4. Walk/run/bike everywhere
Do I really need to tell you about the benefits of physical activity? Pretend you don’t have a driver’s license, and get around the old-fashioned way — with your legs, your bike, or even your skateboard. Not only will the exercise give your mental health a boost, it will also greatly improve it in many different ways.
5. Prioritize playtime
Young children experience learning through play and social interactions. This helps them grow socially, emotionally, creatively, intellectually, and spiritually. It stimulates communication, encourages investigation, and promotes exploration. But as we get older, life often gets in the way, and we get stuck in the day to day. Don’t forget to work hard, but also play hard.
6. Look less at your calendar
I’m not saying you should stop showing up to work on time, or bust out your shoulder pads from the 80s. But, sometimes, it’s great to just stop counting. For a kid, a five minute time-out is an eternity, but three hours at the pool flies by. Give yourself more freedom to do what you want when you want to do it.
7. Eat cereal for dinner
Sometimes (or often, in my case), we come back from work exhausted and depleted of energy. So, once in a while, I just pour myself a bowl of cereal, cut up a banana, and call it a day. My nutritionist wouldn’t agree, but my nutritionist isn’t there to make my dinner, either. It doesn’t have to be cereal; it just has to be easy. Try a can of tuna on a bed of pre-cut vegetables, and presto — dinner in three minutes.
8. Pretend to be invincible
Kids test their limits and take risks on a daily basis. They’re blissfully unaware of the possible consequences. But as we become more and more aware of the dangers this world harbors, unpredictability becomes our greatest enemy. Take that new job you’re scared of. Go talk to that cute girl or guy who’s been smiling at you from a distance. You can’t win them all, but as hockey player Wayne Gretzky once said, you miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take.
9. Ask for help
Learn to recognize that you’re not a superhero. During tough times, reach out to people around you. You’ll learn that people often want to help; they just don’t know how. A little nudge from you is often all it takes.
10. Take naps
As many as you can. They’re glorious. In fact, if we ever invent time machines, I plan to go back in time and kick myself for coming up with a thousand ways to avoid sleeping as a toddler.
11. Question everything
Don’t regurgitate everything you hear on TV or read online. Ask questions, be inquisitive, and form your own opinion based on the information you gather yourself. Don’t be a sheep!
12. Don’t judge people
We’re not born with preconceived opinions. Instead of relying on what you think you know about people, take the opportunity to broaden your horizons. Take the good, leave the bad, and move on!
Very few of us get it right the first time. Failure is a stepping stone that leads to greatness. If everything was easy, success wouldn’t be as sweet.
14. Take time-outs
Before you get up in the morning, take some time to get introspective. Go over your own needs, objectives, and priorities for the day. By doing this, you shift your attention toward accomplishing all of the things that will empower you. Try it for 30 days, and you might be pleasantly surprised by how productive your days become.
15. Dance like everyone is watching!
Because you’re fabulous and everyone should witness your greatness!