In today's fast-paced world, it's easy to lose touch with ourselves and feel disconnected from our past. Taking time to relax or have fun feels indulgent, especially when there are a million things on our to-do lists. This takes a toll on our overall well-being, affecting our physical and mental health.
Thankfully, there are some simple steps you can take to improve your mental health and reconnect with your younger self. For instance, one licensed therapist on Twitter says taking time to reflect on the past can actually help you handle the present.
“Tip from a licensed therapist: if you want to be better at self-soothing, revisit & explore interests, activities, coping mechanisms you had in adolescent/teenage yrs,” they wrote. “It may seem “childish” to some but the younger you knew a thing or two. It’s okay to reconnect with them.”
This insightful post elicited several specific suggestions from Twitter users who had also retried adolescent hobbies that they had once loved but fallen out of touch with.
Tip #1: Winding Back the Clock on Your Spotify Catalog
Who knows, maybe Nelly's Hot in Herre might give you the morning-time spark that you've been struggling to find.
I love when I’m listening to old and new songs by a band I loved when I was younger and it makes me feel like we grew together.
— Fallin4fiction (@fallin4fiction) January 31, 2023
Tip #2: Get Completely Childish With It
Flying kites. Creating sandcastles. Heck, why not break out the Jumper or Baby Mozart tapes while you're at it?
The best things I've done for myself the last 3 years involve flying kites, building sand castles, and increasing my overall toy collection. The people who can't ride along with me on this are truly missing out. It's how I find JOY so I can focus on the work. 💜✨️✨️✨️
— Metastatic Griever 🪼 (@LilMas_) February 1, 2023
In all seriousness, if you want to coax out your inner child, you might try doing what your inner child would do.
Tip #3: Don't Rewind the Clock Too Far
At the risk of contradicting Tip #2, some found that there is a lower limit on the activities that can bring you joy as an adult. For Melanie Jones, the Barbie Doll was nostalgic but did not have the intended effect.
I bought a black “self care” Barbie doll (she came with a tub) for this exact reason (I’m working on re-parenting myself), but it didn’t work at all, I was near instantly bored. 😂 I’ll try again though, just have to think of something else I enjoyed.
— Melanie Jones (@MelanieJonesTX) February 1, 2023
Tip #4: Break Out the Crayons
Art is an activity that anyone, from your two-year-old niece to a full-grown Vincent van Gogh, can find joy in. You don't need a full tapestry, either. One Twitter user noted that you only need a coloring book to find some much-needed catharsis.
I’ve found a lot of joy recently in coloring books. I’m a person who lives visual art but has very little artistic talent, so coloring books allow me to indulge my artistic side without feeling bad about my skills. Plus it’s fun to make pretty stuff.
— Linds (@lindsey_ellen_) February 2, 2023
Tip #5: Let's Get Physical
If you can combine sweat-breaking with a beloved pastime, the psychological benefits could compound.
Yes because when I started biking again, I found so much peace. I don't do it for sport and what exercise I get from it is an added benefit. It's the peace of mind for me!
— Toi (@lifeasEYEseeit) February 1, 2023
Another Twitter user endorsed the same general concept but swapped a bike for rollerblades.
I randomly went roller blading one day. Boooooooyyyyy did that feel FREEING! 🤗 This reminds me to try again but maybe start working out because the soreness… 😩😆
— Meghan Markles Collar Bone (@Lazymommoment) February 1, 2023
Tip #6: When In Doubt, Lego It Out
Feeling burnt out from work? Struggling to find a hobby that occupies your mind without being immensely expensive or impractical? One word: Lego.
Shout out to Legos for bringing me peace pic.twitter.com/mTDXeHBDib
— 🏴☠️👑 (@fresh72_) February 1, 2023
Straight from the mouth of licensed therapists: It is OK, and perhaps even massively beneficial, to act childishly from time to time.
This article was produced and syndicated by Wealth of Geeks.