Being an adult can be hard. It can also be kind of boring. But it doesn’t have to be that way! Sometimes, we just need to let loose and invite more play into our life. While I’m no expert on mental health, I am a pro at being silly.
Here are seven easy ways to loosen up and let your inner kiddo run free:
1. Get a little dirty.
Kids are always splashing around in gross things. But they could be onto something: maybe running through the puddles can actually be… fun? Take a few minutes to interact with your environment and discover something new. Run through the sprinkler. Jump in the mud. Get a little crazy.
2. Reread a childhood favorite.
Sometimes, we need to go back to the basics. It’s easy to fill our brains with self-help books, but sometimes, we just need to reread “The Giving Tree” or “The Phantom Tollbooth.” What childhood favorites come to mind for you?
3. Have a water balloon fight.
When the weather is appropriate, there’s no reason to not go outside and play. Grab some water balloons and a few besties and enjoy the sun!
4. Break your routine.
There was nothing more fun than Pajama Day or Ice Cream for Breakfast Day when I was a kid. What are some holidays you could throw for yourself as a grown-up? Ice cream for breakfast still rocks, I promise. Getting out of your routine is an easy way to shake some residual stress off.
5. Do a craft!
Hobbies can feel so serious when you’re an adult. There’s no reason you need to paint a picture you can sell on Etsy. Just go to the store, grab some supplies, and make that birdhouse that barely stays together. Just have fun with it.
6. Let yourself be bored.
It’s rare that we allow ourselves to be bored anymore. If there’s a dull moment, we should be emptying the dishwasher or scrolling our phone. What happens when you just let yourself chill for a second, to the point of boredom? The best creativity comes from not knowing what to do next.
7. Invite more laughter in.
There are a lot more silly things happening around us than we give the world credit for. Keep your eyes peeled for opportunities to giggle. And when there aren’t any… create some!
Adulting doesn’t have to be so darn serious. Emphasize play, exploration, and joy and you’ll be connected to that inner kid before you know it.
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