With university deadlines, jobs and rent to pay, I’m sure most of you agree that life can sometimes feel overwhelming. Sometimes, I wish I could go back to being a child, when all that mattered was acing my spelling tests and the happiness of my nintendogs. Despite the responsibilities of adulthood, there value in reconnecting with the simple pleasures and creativity of childhood activities.
Nostalgia is a powerful feeling that can come from many aspects of life. Whether it be a scent that reminds you of your freshly washed school uniform or a film you’d forgotten was your favorite when you were young, reminders of the past stir feelings of comfort. Revisiting childhood activities such as drawing, playing games or building lego can serve as a gateway to tapping into nostalgic feelings. Children possess a creativity, which often fades away as we get older. Studies suggest that this is because as adults, we stick with what ‘works’ to further our success, whether this be studying or working harder for longer hours. Th is leads us to stifle our natural creativity.
The concept of ‘play’ is a foreign one to many adults in the 21st century. Typically viewed as childish or counterproductive, many ignore the positive implications that come with ‘play’ during your downtime. For children, play is vital in their emotional development, building their cognitive and motor skills alongside teaching them emotional regulation. For adults, play can be an opportunity to add some childhood joy back into life. While taking some time offyour regular hobbies or studies, some nostalgic downtime could be what you need to enhance your productivity.
Revisiting nostalgic activities is important because they offer a mindfulness that ‘adult’ hobbies such as reading or exercising do not. Childhood activities offer a sense of presence and immersion, where you can easily forget the stress of everyday life. Engaging in activities like spending time outside or dancing to music can bring this lost sense of mindfulness back into your life. So, search in the loft for your old DS, raid the garage for the forgotten Wii, or stick on a Barbie movie and forget what it's like to be an adult for a while.