Summary

Revisiting childhood memories and media can provide a sense of comfort and nostalgia, offering a respite from adult responsibilities and reconnecting us with the carefree nature of our younger selves.

Abstract

The article reflects on the therapeutic effects of revisiting one's childhood through media such as favorite movies, books, and television shows. It suggests that engaging with the stories and characters from our past can evoke a sense of calmness and rekindle the magic and possibilities we believed in as children. The author reminisces about the era of video cassettes and daytime kids' shows, emphasizing how these early experiences shaped our understanding of the world. The article argues that these childhood stories, filled with lessons on friendship, love, and embracing differences, continue to influence us in adulthood. By revisiting these old favorites, often just a click away on platforms like YouTube, we can find solace and regain a sense of wonder, reminding us that our inner child still exists and can offer comfort in challenging times.

Opinions

The author believes that childhood favorites, such as animated movies and books, provide more than just entertainment; they offer lessons and wisdom that remain relevant into adulthood.
There is a sentiment that modern life and societal roles have caused a disconnect from the sense of magic and endless possibilities we once felt as children.
The article suggests that returning to childhood media can act as a form of time travel, allowing adults to revisit the worlds that once felt like home.
The author posits that the characters from our childhood narratives were not just fictional entities but were considered friends that taught us valuable life lessons.
The piece conveys the idea that we "grow old" when we stop engaging with the playful and imaginative aspects of life, implying that maintaining a connection with our inner child can help us navigate the complexities of adulthood.
The author encourages readers to seek comfort in their former favorites when experiencing stress or a desire for a break from the demands of life, suggesting that this can improve mood and overall well-being.

When You Feel Anxious, Just Revisit Your Childhood’s World

How I find comfort in returning to forgotten favorites

There is a level of calmness I experience when I decide to revisit my childhood. Whether it be by watching what used to determine my favorite movies, reading my favorite books or coming across pictures or videos of myself as a child. There is something about knowing I was once a carefree creature untouched by the demands of the world.

When thinking of our first memories, we usually go back to a time where we would be doing nothing but immersing ourselves in the stories of animated characters. Our favorite cartoons established the very first observations of the world around us; helping us identify what we were being exposed to. The stories usually involved outlandish fairy tales which once upon a time, didn’t seem so outlandish. We once lived believing magic was real. So, what made us stop?

Well, life happened.

As time went on, we grew up and started adapting to the world around us, rather than the worlds in our books or on our screens. Naturally, we began to embody those around us; our parents, our teachers and our neighbors. We were preparing to take on the role of an active member in society, leaving the realms of fantasy behind.

Returning to The Past

I came to life at a time when video cassettes were the go-to medium for films, and DVDs were still emerging. If a movie was debuting on TV, my parents made sure to pre-record it so that I could revisit it anytime. Growing up, I spent my days exploring the world through day-time kids’ shows like Barney and Bear in the Big Blue House.

Then came Disney and DreamWorks movies with their fantastical plots and characters I would spend hours following. And so many more. In other words, my days were mostly pre-planned for endless adventures, always embarking on a new one which fed my mind with possibilities. So many possibilities.

Nowadays, all it takes is one click and you’re able to access shows that characterized your entire childhood. They say YouTube is the closest to a time machine yet, and given that you’re able to watch your former favorites, you are bound to return to the time when you were but a child, thrown into worlds that once felt like home, but now appear so distant. A home that you never imagined you would reminisce and want to return to after quite a while.

“I… I don’t understand. I’ve always dreamed that my life could be like a fairy tale, a perfect fantasy” — Cinderella.

Reuniting With Old Friends

When returning to childhood classics, we are returning to our friends. The characters that made up the stories we ingested. Friends are people we confide in, and they equally confide in us. A number of children’s stories tend to be filled with entertainment and adventure, but most of them also come with lessons that we unconsciously carry with us to adulthood. These are stories that made us who we are today.

From characters who embrace their difference from the rest of society, like Shrek or the Beast from Beauty and the Beast, to stories unraveling the value of virtues such as friendship and love, almost every childhood story has a message to deliver; little bits of wisdom that don’t require us to grow older to learn — simply re-entering the world of our childhood will do. Ironic, isn’t it?

The characters making up these stories were our closest friends. Right before we were exposed to the outside world, we spent so much time in the worlds we were being invited to explore, with the inhabitants helping us discover ourselves by discovering them. They taught us more than new vocabulary— they taught us how to survive the world when we would finally be released into it.

Once we entered our world and stopped interacting with their own, we forgot about them, as much as we promised them we wouldn’t. But they’re still there, just as they always were, waiting for us to return when life gets too much to handle.

Helping Us Understand the World Better

Movies and books in general transport us to different worlds. But there is a precious aspect to those tailored for children. Tailored for us when we were once children ourselves, innocent and clueless; eager and excited to soak in everything we came across.

With the obligations of being an adult comes the requirement to make sense of our world as much as possible. We partake in a race that, once we’ve finished, is promised to allow us to see through situations clearer. A race which, during its course, gets tiring and burdensome and unexpected, leading us to feel stuck and in need of some light at the end of the tunnel.

Somewhere during the race, we get flashbacks of ourselves before joining it, when we were able to come across worlds outside of this one; where we were able to imagine, and pretend. A lot of us seem to forget that we still have that ability.

“We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing” — George Bernard Shaw.

Next time you feel yourself heading towards a low appetite, a negative mood, or simply seeking a break from life, try to remind yourself of your existence as a child — one who still exists, albeit the passage of time. Attempt to go back to a piece that formed a part of your life then, and allow yourself to feel what you felt when you were still full of excitement to take on the adventure of life. I guarantee you, your inner child will thank you for it.

Angelina Der Arakelian