A reminder to honor the small child that still lives inside you. No matter how old you grow remember who you once were and how much that person deserves to be loved!
The other day as I was driving to the gym I noticed two boys and girl running down the street, probably on their warm up for gym class. I couldn’t help but notice how they would start and stop running at random intervals. They’d sprint, then stop to catch their breath, and continue on at a slow jog. Just this simple act of starting and stopping when they felt like it got me thinking. It made me so nostalgic for a time when we weren’t constantly concerned with pushing ourselves…finishing things out…and competing with others.
Sometimes I think it’d be nice to go back to the days of carefree abandon. The days of only being concerned with the here and now. Not worrying about the future, what next crisis will come up, or how we define ourselves.
Wouldn’t it be nice to revisit the time when we didn’t feel the need to define ourselves as runner, a yogi, or a crossfitter.
When movement was natural not planned.
When we stopped when we were tired and continued only when we felt ready…not because of a workout timer or a judgmental voice inside.
When we ate till we were full and pushed away out of satisfaction not because we’ve made a rule for ourselves about how much we’re allowed to eat.
The days when laughter was abundant and stress was an unknown.
When our only obligations were maximizing enjoyment in our day.
When we only thought about the next time we’d see our friends rather than the next time work was due.
When the weekends weren’t as magical because everyday held the potential to be awesome.
When running with friends meant tag instead of a certain amount of miles.
When we wore watches with our favorite cartoon characters on them rather than ones that tracked numbers.
When the only thing about our steps that we cared about was whether our light up shoes were working.
A time when skipping a meal wasn’t deliberate but rather a result of a surprise trip for ice cream too close to dinner.
When we wouldn’t hesitate when offered a taste of someone’s food and free samples were like little Christmas’.
When holidays were a time of joy not a cause of worry about weight gain.
When we viewed the world in a simpler way.
When we were curious and eager, instead of reserved and skeptical.
Back to the simple times of childhood, when there was just less thinking, and more living.
Let’s all try to get some of that kid-like mentality back. We get so stuck in our routines and ways. We plod along through life thinking that this is as good as it gets. When in reality, we were much happier when we just didn’t think about everything so much. We gain wisdom as we grow, but with that wisdom comes worry.
Here’s to getting back a little of that child-like freedom. To letting go and just being.
And just like that little girl and boy, here’s to stopping running when we are tired. Running with our legs or running around our heads.
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Truly enjoyed this post, Kaila. Especially this one: “The days when laughter was abundant and stress was an unknown.”. That’s the one I most want back again! People tell me they think I have an old soul (guilty…) but I swear I’m also a kid at heart. I like to color in coloring books, I enjoy the simple things like blowing those fuzzballs you pick up in the yard, I still chuckle when somebody makes a “that’s what she said” reference.
Haha, I am always up for a TWSS reference too!
Loved this post! It is so great for your soul to be silly and carefree once in a while. It is funny how when you are a kid you play to be a grown up and when you are older you play to be a kid… 😉
Yes it’s quite funny how that happens!
Beautifully written.
Thank you Traci!
Ugh yes. Children get so many things right. We can learn so much from observing them and imitating healthier/more natural habits.
Agreed. Kids are so intuitive!
Love this post! <3 I miss being a kid, but hooray for the fact that you can always be young at heart!
Yes definitely!
This is an interesting post, Kaila. I get sad sometimes thinking about the reality of adulthood vs childhood, but there’s always lessons to learn from the kids in our lives.
Very true. Kids are wise beyond their years!
Fabulous post! You brought up such great points about exercising and eating based on internal cues & enjoyment rather than expectations we set for ourselves or external regulators. & I particularly love the addition of running to see your shoes light up-so true!
Thank you Rebecca!
Love this, Kaila. It’s actually something I focus on constantly in my own life and I hope you’re implementing it into yours too. It’s amazing what a difference it can make. 🙂
PS: Would love an update on your injury! Sending well-wishes your way, as always.
I will definitely do an update! Thanks for asking!
[…] Honor Your Inner Child-I remember the days when I looked forward to the first snowfall and I didn’t have a care in the world except for maybe which table I was going to eat lunch at that day. I miss those simpler times. I hope that this post will remind you to enjoy your present moment, without the worries of work, holiday hustle, and finances pulling you down. […]
I absolutely adored this post. Remember when every day seemed so exciting and anything could happen? And when you weren’t running around outside with your friends, the days were long and boring and dragged on forever. Now we wish for boring down time. Thanks for this reminder to do what my heart wants sometimes.
You’re welcome Holly! Thanks for stopping by!
Great post! I think about this all the time when I’m with my 8 yr old sister! Why can’t we stay so care free and simple!
Thanks Patrick! Glad you enjoyed the post!!
so important to remember…we sometimes (a lot of times) get wrapped up with numbers, goals, pushing ourselves and it actually ruins the whole fun.
Thanks for reading, lovely!! Knew you’d love this post!!!
Love this, amen & amen! Reminds me of how Phoebe runs on Friends. 😉
Thank you Mia!! I am glad you liked the post!!
Agreed! We should honor our inner child :).
So true!! Thanks for reading!!!
Love this, so important to reconnect with our inner child. Having kids has helped me see the world anew through their eyes.
Thanks for stopping by to read lovely!!