Who You Were as a Child
What do you remember about yourself as a child? Were you constantly trying to be the center of attention or maybe more content to hide in the back of the room? What kinds of things did you like doing the best? Did you love to paint, sing, play games, dance, or play sports? If you could’ve given yourself the gift of a whole day to spend any way you’d like as a child, what would you have chosen?
For me, when I was much younger, I had days where I loved to spend the day just playing Barbies or dolls with one or two of my closest friends. I also loved getting lost in books, imaginary play, or even a good movie. There were also some times I remember when my parents would leave middle school age me home alone, and I thought those days were some of the very best ones of all. I would crank out some of my favorite music on our CD player in the living room, just as loud as I wanted, and the whole place became my stage where I could sing and dance with no inhibitions whatsoever.
Now that I am much older and married with a family of my own, I occasionally have thoughts about that little girl that I was and how she still dramatically impacts who I am today. I might not play with Barbies any more, but I still love to go out with one or two of my closest friends and share in good conversation and fun. I still love getting lost in reading, watching movies, and imaginary play comes out in more grown up versions like writing stories. And yes, it is true, when I have a rare day that my entire family leaves me at home all alone, I still crank out the music and the house becomes my stage.
What is it that floods your memories from childhood in a joyful way? Sometimes those are things that can help us unlock the happiness in our current situation in surprising ways. Maybe it will be helpful for you to remember just what it was back then that made you smile and brought life to your body. By journeying to the past and remembering, you might also be surprised in what ways you haven’t changed from that child even today.
Perhaps somewhere along the way, the joys that used to light up your life got extinguished by someone’s harsh words or criticism and because of that, you haven’t revisited those inner longings in a while. Or perhaps, you have simply thought yourself as “too old” to enjoy the diversions of youth. In my humble opinion, people are only as old as they feel, and you have every right to enjoy the pieces of life that awaken who you are, no matter your age or life situation. Maybe today is the day that you embrace who you used to be just a little more and watch it impact who you are now in a wonderful and uplifting way.
Challenges/Points:
Joyful memories from our childhood might still be important parts of our personality today that can bring us happiness.
Consider what you used to enjoy doing as a child and reflect on if those activities are still part of your life and why or why not.
If you have ever stopped pursuing a life-giving activity because of someone else’s criticism or negativity, consider how now might be the time to embrace what makes you uniquely happy again, and focus on the positive fulfillment it could bring to your life.
Questions:
If you had a whole day to spend doing whatever you would like, what would you choose? Are your choices different or similar to what you think you would have chosen as a child?
Is there anything in your life that has stopped you from pursuits you used to enjoy? If so, what would have to change in order for you to want to explore activities you used to love again?
Do you think you have changed a lot from who you were as a child, or are there still some similarities that reside in your personality from what you can remember?
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