Permission

On my morning walk, I was inspired to revisit my inner child. I have done this on occasion, but not often enough.

I showed up at my childhood room, and 7 year old me was there in my mind’s eye, waiting for me to play with her. I brought her some fancy Barbie dresses, and a montage of our activities followed. We acted out silly soap opera scenarios with the dolls. Then using small notepads, we took turns drawing a dinosaur. She showed me hers first. It was a rounded body with an oddly shaped head that sat atop a long neck. This was hilarious because when I showed her my rendition, it looked exactly the same. (Yeah. My drawing skills haven’t improved with age.)

Then, at the roller rink, I skated backward in circles like before. I never did figure out how to steer myself in a line. I tumbled to the ground, landing on my butt in a clumsy heap, and when she laughed at me, I laughed with her.

We marveled at the colorful butterflies on my walk, and the doves that darted in and out of trees. As we approached a hill, she gestured for me to run up with her. In my mind, I was hesitant but ran alongside her, smiling.

There was magic in it.

I forgot what it was like to do things just for fun. I forgot the feeling of trying something new without considering how I looked while doing it.

To dance and twirl and spin, knowing that when I closed my eyes, the room would take me on a magical ride for that short time. To sing, to belt out the notes at the top of my lungs, enraptured by the tune.

Such freedom.

I need to channel her more often. Because she is me. My inner child is the most authentic version that exists. Every so often, she’ll give me a nudge. That she wants to play. That life is for fun.

So, I’m still coming off the high from that imaginary experience. But, I intend to keep the memory of what it felt like. Adulting can be such a drag. What if we learned to child ourselves? Take up a new hobby without expectation of how it turns out? Embrace the curiosity of something you’ve always wanted to do.

We are adults, and we can’t turn back the clock, but we can: eat a meal off a fun plate. Or drink coffee from a tea cup. Wear a tiara or a tutu (Dollar store) while you do laundry. Roar like a T-Rex every time you hear a certain word or name.

My eye strain stops me after 20 minutes of writing, which is a bummer. But, little Annie wants me to get up and do the Hokey Pokey while I give my eyes a rest.

Remember to play. Connect with that inner child again, and rediscover the things that delighted you. You don’t need my permission, but you have it anyway.

So go. Be more child-like.

I am compiling a list of ideas to incorporate “childing” into our everyday lives.

How about sprinkling “fairy dust” on your ATM card before you swipe it at the store?

Or skipping (if it’s feasible and safe) to the kitchen?

Make vrooming noises as you get on the freeway.

Stick a gold star on your forehead every time you finish washing dishes, or vacuum, or any other task you don’t enjoy.

Please reply with your ideas! I know you guys are some imaginative peeps. This could be fun! Creativity is part of our nature.

I am still tapping away at my book, adding some twists (that even shocked me!) to the end. It’s taken a long time to get this far, but I believe it’s for a reason.

When I approach my manuscript today, I’m going to seek out my inner child again for inspiration. Little Annie wishes for you to do the same. Here’s your reminder that joy is there for the taking.

P.S. (From the Teflon Saga) Q: What did the drummer name his twin daughters? A: Anna 1, Anna 2

P.P.S. If you have found this inspiring, then please share with someone who may benefit or wishes to contribute to my list.