Let’s Go Back in Time

Summary

The article suggests that reconnecting with the carefree, joyful, and confident mindset of our 10-year-old selves can provide valuable life lessons and help us navigate adulthood with greater resilience and happiness.

Abstract

The article "Let’s Go Back in Time: What your 10-year-old self can teach you" reflects on the innocence and uninhibited nature of childhood, contrasting it with the complexities and conformities of adult life. It argues that as we grow older, we often lose the pure joy, unapologetic existence, and clarity of purpose that characterized our youth. The author encourages readers to revisit their childhood selves to find courage, motivation, and a renewed sense of wonder in life's simple pleasures. By recalling the fearlessness of childhood and engaging in activities that once brought happiness, such as reading beloved books or spending time with old friends, adults can regain a sense of balance and contentment, especially during challenging times like a pandemic.

Opinions

The author believes that adult life tends to suppress the loud laughter and uninhibited expressions of love that are common in childhood.
Social expectations and the quest for sophistication lead to a loss of the unapologetic existence and joy of youth.
The article suggests that self-doubt and the impact of unexpected life events can be mitigated by revisiting the mindset of one's younger self.
It posits that external sources of motivation are less effective than internal ones, such as recalling past moments of bravery from childhood.
The author opines that re-engaging with

What your 10-year-old self can teach you

Remember your childhood?

The loud laughter and the uninhibited expression of love The unapologetic existence and the heaps of joy found in seemingly insignificant events Spending long hours beading that special friendship band for your bestie The way you could easily brush off bad days — cry after falling off the bicycle yet get back to it the next day, unabashed Knowing exactly what you’d like to become when you grow up without an ounce of self-doubt

But as life moves ahead, you change

The loud laughter you once enjoyed is now more sophisticated The uninhibited love is replaced with the three-day rule and the quest to stay on top of the dating game Your existence is anything but unapologetic — spending a huge part of our lives conforming to social and beauty standards You’re brimming with self-doubt and one unprecedented event is enough to throw you back a 100 steps If you’re lucky, you still have that best friend — but not enough time to spend with them or make them feel special

We all lose parts of our selves as we grow up because we’re shaped by our experiences and social expectations or because we’ve taken life too seriously. That’s normal but it’s good to be mindful of how much you’ve changed.

Sometimes, you’ll see that the only way ahead is to move back a million steps and revisit your younger self, who surprisingly, seems to have most answers.

Can’t seem to find the courage to do something? — Revisit your bravest childhood moment. Finding motivation online, through quotes or any other external source may not be as effective because chances of your inner self relating to these are slim.

Stuck in a pandemic and don’t know what to do? — Indulge in what made you happy as a kid. Was it Enid Blyton novels or dancing in school competitions? Get back to it!

Regardless of what is thrown at you, it helps to take a few minutes every day and look at life as a child. Relearning how to appreciate tiny things — the freshly brewed coffee, the warm shower before calling it a day or the satisfaction of checking off items from your to-do list. You’ll see that it’s one of the most effective ways to fuel yourself and find calm amidst the chaos.