Some funny things happen when you make the transition from childhood to adulthood. You have an enormously increased level of responsibility, coupled with a huge increase in your freedom. All of a sudden you can do anything you want - as long as you go to work, pay the bills, eat well, maintain friendships, keep in touch with your family...the list goes on.
There are some things I miss about childhood (my mom's home cooking, someone else paying for everything in my life, having the whole summer off school), and some things I wouldn't trade for being an adult (eating dessert for dinner if I want, driving, choosing what I eat and where I go and what I wear). Overall, I've realized the biggest thing I miss from my childhood is the great level of happiness that I didn't realize I had.
I really am a happy person. I don't want it to sound like I've grown up and gotten sad. But the stresses of life, and the fact that some people can just be mean, and so many things you hoped don't turn out the way you planned, all have worn on me over time. I'm going to butcher this quote, but I remember reading somewhere that the happy and creative adult is the one whose inner child survived.
How true this is! I remember coming home and doing schoolwork as quickly as possible so I could go PLAY outside. That was my ultimate happiness. So simple, and so good. As adults, we aren't allowed to do ridiculous things like playing in the sun. That's too childish. So we sit inside and find stuff to do, and housework to catch up on, and bills to stress over, etc. And suddenly, our happiness starts to slip away.
I realize that the end goal of my life is NOT my happiness. It's so much more. But it's also not to be miserable. So I've made a resolution. Silly though this may sound, I'm going to do things that make me happy. Even if they're little. Yesterday, I put on headphones and blared some of the happiest music I could find while I worked. Then I scheduled a date with Nathan to a frozen yogurt place this week because we have an unused gift card.
It's nothing fancy, and nothing too demanding I don't think, but I'm already noticing a little change. I'm excited to see how this works out over time, and excited to be doing a few little things that make me feel like a little kid again. And I encourage you to do the same!
Comment below and tell me ONE thing you'll do this week just to be happy!
