10 Childish Things to Never Give up or Stop Loving ...

As we grow up, we start not only dreading birthdays but detesting them – the connotations attached to birthdays remind us that we are getting older, and they make us depressed, rather than joyful. But when we were kids, we loved every minute, counted the sleeps until the day, and added on a half year to every age proudly when we announced to someone how old we were. There is something very special about loving the birthday spirit and celebrating it with joy and love – embrace it.

While something that might only be appropriate in adult hood if you are somewhat inebriated, launching your entire body into a glorious pile of leaves is something that just tastes like freedom and sheer joy. This simple pleasure is one of the fabulously childish things to do that can leave a smile on your face for the rest of the day, even if, as an adult, you now have to rake them up afterwards – the deliciously free delight will leave a mark on your soul forever more. And, if your friends rag you about it, it is perfectly acceptable to tell them you were wasted.

If there was something ever to drive my Grandmother bonkers and set my heart on fire, it was to walk with her, hand in hand, along the sidewalk, with one foot on the pavement and the other bumping along in the gutter. There is just something about it that is so preciously childlike; it is almost as you could step off into another world and step back into the real world again as you stomped your foot back on the pavement. If you ever feel like being childlike and doing silly things, try this and if you feel self-conscious then just make sure you have one of your kids with you.

As a child there is nothing more comforting than sinking into your Mom as she wraps her arms around you, squeezes tightly, bends down and kisses your head. But as we get older, this goes into our list of childish things. We tend to just give a quick hug and a kiss on the cheek, when in fact our moms would give just about anything to grab us tightly and squeeze us like they used to. Try it; you will be amazed at how that awesome feeling comes rushing back again.

There was nothing quite like hanging around while your mom or your gran was baking, not to help or clean-up of course, but to get that oh so delicious bowl and spoon and lick them until the batter covered your face, your chin and even got on your elbows and in your hair. As adults we choose to rinse it out, pop it in the dishwasher or let the dog lick it out instead. You know, the calories get us. Live a little, try it out!

Remember those days when the heavens opened and the rain came bucketing down, and you couldn’t get out of the front door quick enough? These days we are so worried about grabbing an umbrella so that the rain doesn’t ruin our hair or our jacket that we have forgotten how much fun it is to act like a kid in the rain. Next time it rains, do yourself a favor; put on your gumboots, head out the door and splash about in the rain, and enjoy every minute of it.

There is a certain unbridled joy about rushing around with a butterfly net trying to chase the delicate, pretty and colorful little creatures. These days, as an adult you would be considered to be something of a looney tune if you were seen frolicking in the field waving a butterfly net around in the wind, but who cares? It’s something special to remember from your childhood, so if other people are going to give you a hard time for doing childish things, just wait until they go home.

Whether you were a skipper or a runner, it is definitely something that you grow out of eventually, and it’s a great pity. Although perhaps not appropriate for one to skip all the way to the office, it’s a very liberating thing to do. Skipping around in the privacy of your own garden with your own kids is something you will enjoy forever.

As we get older we start becoming aware of counting calories, and the thought of feasting on a fattening waffle or chocolate covered cone drenched in syrup and ice cream is unheard of. But there is a reason that it was one of your favorite childhood pastimes – it's comfort food that takes you to another level. Try it sometime, don’t wait for a special occasion – make today a special occasion.

Do you go to the beach just to lie in the sun and tan, take a picnic, a good book and a bottle of wine? Does the thought of ruining a perfectly good manicure and getting sand in your swimming costume just not enter your mind? This is one of the most exciting childhood activities ever – don’t you remember being buried in a sandcastle boat or desperately trying to build a moat with sea water before it evaporated? This is one of the childish things men have never had any trouble embracing, no matter how old they are. Next time you go to the beach, check it out; you might be able to put your architectural genius to use on the sand.

Childish behavior and childlike antics are just some of the great frivolous activities that keep us feeling young and alive. Which one of these 10 Childish Things to Never Give Up or Stop Loving would you like to try?

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