Life at 50: Start Acting Like a Child

Posted by Liz NuMecloseAuthor: Liz NuMe Name:
Email: nume2100@yahoo.com
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About: I’ve been married to the same man for 25 years. I have 4 grown children and, so far, 3 grandaughters. I just turned 50 this year, though I look maybe about 40. I feel about 30, and I hope that never changes.See Authors Posts (35)

I remember when I was a kid how we’d play for hours not caring what time it was, who was watching, whether we were making a mess. We were free. Free to play. Free to be completely ourselves, or whoever we wanted to pretend to be at the time. Then we grow up, become responsible, worry, work, pay bills, etc. etc. etc. And the wonder and joy of being a child gets choked out of us by reality. Many of us become uptight, repressed, irritable, miserable grown ups. We take ourselves way to seriously sometimes. I’ve been one or all of the above at one time or another during my adult life. I love how creative and uninhibited children are. And I think it’s time to regain some of that fun that I lost along the way. I’ll bet we could all benefit by learning from them, and just play once in a while.

Children love to finger paint. Do you remember those big sheets of shiny paper? And dipping your fingers into the bright wet colors and just swirling them all over the page, pretending you were an artist? Getting some of it on your smock, your face, everywhere. You notice kids don’t care about the mess, or if their masterpiece resembles anything real. It’s the experience and the fun. We can finger paint now. Either with the same stuff we used as kids. Or, better yet, grab some chocolate syrup, strawberry jam, whatever flavor sauces you desire. Imagine your partner as your canvas, and start creating your own masterpiece. And when you’re done creating, start licking it off. Don’t worry about the mess, just enjoy the experience. And don’t forget to laugh.

Children love to play dress up. Do you remember creating costumes and pretending you were someone else? One day a firefighter, another a doctor, maybe a cheerleader, or a cowboy. And you really got into it without worrying what others would think. Try it now. Don’t worry whether you look good enough, or that you might sound silly. Play! Let yourself go and become someone else for just a little while. And don’t think you can’t do it because you would have to run to the nearest store to buy a costume that you can’t afford. We didn’t run out and spend money playing make believe when we were kids. Besides, it can be very freeing and refreshing to drop your life and take on an imaginary one once in a while. And really, the grown up version of this type of play is much more fun than it was when we were kids.

Or remember when you were a little older and you and your friends would play fairly harmless pranks on each other? My husband and I used to do this quite frequently when we were younger. But we really haven’t in a long time. I think I need to start that again. I used to sneak into the bathroom while he was in the shower and turning the water on cold. And then of course, run and hide, all the while laughing so hard that tears were streaming down my cheeks. Or one of us would start a pillow fight, or sometimes (not often) a food or water fight. Or while doing the dishes, take the towel and snap your partner in the ass. The best thing about being an adult and doing these things, is that there’s no one to yell and you and tell you to stop.

There are so many ways that we can just stop and take a break from adulthood that this list could go on. But I’m sure you get the picture. I think it’s very healthy to just completely let go and play once in a while. You’d be surprised at all the tension and stress that will be released and how fun life can be again. So give it a try. Play and laugh and enjoy all that life can offer. And when you’re done, sit back, enjoy some milk and cookies and go take a nap. You’ve earned it.

Written by Newme21 (LP)
January 8, 2010