Monday, August 30, 2010

The Inner Child

Instead of slowing down and relaxing this summer, I tried even harder to meet my writing goals while spending quality time with my kids. Did I succeed? Yes, but there was a cost.



Some of the joy of being me seeped out. With less time to putter and regroup, I found myself more and more stressed out about not keeping up with my normal activities, like reading blogs and visiting our families. Yeah, I fell into the Supermom Syndrome. You know, the murky area where you try to be perfect at everything you do and somehow come up short regardless.

That's why this month I'm determined to embrace the core of who I am, starting with my inner child. The things that thrilled me as a kid, still thrill me today. I still love singing hymns, dancing, doing goofy impressions of people I see on television, reading, giggling with my best friends, and relishing dessert.

What things did you love to do as a child? Do you still do them? Do you even want to? Do you recognize who you were as a kid in who you are today?

Join me on Wednesday when we'll discuss childhood's wide open spaces.

35 comments:

  1. Listening to music, belly laughs, reading, playing with friends. Yep, they're all the same.

    I'm glad you're focusing the spotlight on you again!

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  2. Getting lost in a fictional world...laughing...watching old movies...

    Glad you're recharging a little.

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  3. I lack in this area so much. Every now and then I will feel this spark to just do something!! And then I might but normally I don't. Thanks for this nudge.

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  4. Just last night my husband said, "We need to laugh more..you know, like we used to." He is right. We get so caught up in our 'to do' list that we forget to have joy and silliness along the way. I'm going to work on it.

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  5. It's so easy to get caught in the SuperMom syndrome. My girls help me remember my inner child. We laugh, play dress up, tell stories, read, cook, and play make-believe:)

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  6. I thanked God that I found books at such a young age. I wish all my kids were big readers too. Ssdly it's not always a heridetary gene.

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  7. Read. Read. Read.
    Self-play, like pretending I was Nancy Drew's assistant.

    Pretty lonely, but it helps me now as a writer.

    That old Romans 8:28.

    True again!!!

    Blessings, dear one.

    GREAT POST!

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  8. This is such a good point. We really can't do it all and we often stress too much trying. Glad you're getting back to finding a good balance:)
    Blessings,
    Karen

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  9. I loved to ride my bike. I don't even own a bike right now...

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  10. Drawing, painting, watching old movies

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  11. I loved writing as a kid. I'd lock myself in my room and fill notebooks with penciled stories. So I guess I still embrace that inner child, only then I never could focus long enough to finish a story. Now I can.

    Hoping you regroup, Jill!

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  12. *hugs*

    I think sometimes the worst part of growing up is when we forget what brought us joy and wonder as a child. It's always good to remember that part of ourselves we might have parted from but never left behind.

    I loved reading and writing and music and helping people and still do. :D

    Every so often I catch a glimpse of the child-me. Sometimes we're glaring at each other, and other times we share a grin and a high five. :)

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  13. I loved to read as a child, it was my inner santuary:)

    I'm committed to getting back to that this week~ starting with my Sunday School lesson!

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  14. Janna: Love your list! It made me smile.

    Erica: Old movies--any movies! I love watching films. :)

    Terri: Sometimes it's easier to do another chore than to put a favorite cd on. I need the nudge too!

    Tess: I know what you mean. We watched the original Karate Kid last week, and it felt so good to just laugh. The synthesized music and 80's clothes did it for us!

    Kara: Thank goodness for kids. Mine keep me young! :)

    T.Anne: Yep, I've noticed that too. But my oldest had a dry spell with reading and now reads all the time. You never can tell!

    Patti: Nancy Drew's assistant--love it! I would have totally taken the role of Nancy. Who didn't want to be a pretty amateur sleuth??

    Karen: For me, it's all about making an effort. It never just happens. Thanks for the encouragement.

    Elana: I love riding my bike. The brakes squeak really loudly, and the seat is much less comfortable from when we were kids, but still, it's fun. I think I know what should go on your Christmas wish list. :)

    CJ: I'd have fun just watching you draw and paint. You make the most incredible stuff!

    Katie: A true example of living the dream. That's really cool!

    Danyelle: I sometimes glare at the old me too. Then I dance around the house with her and we're okay again!

    Tamika: Good for you! Reading is my favorite hobby too!

    Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  15. Things I loved to do as a child? Drinking milkshakes without worrying about weight, ice-skating without fear of falling, and sleeping outside under the stars.

    Thanks for the trip back in time. I hope you're finding that inner child in you. :)

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  16. It's funny that you post this, because today I was looking at pictures from when I was young. I was a really naughty kid, and in a sense I still am... not in a bad way of course! And I liked wearing dresses, and wearing glasses. That at least hasn't changed.

    And chocolate!

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  17. I know what you're feeling. I started my new wip during my kids summer break. Not sure how smart that was.

    I still enjoy singing along to Grease, and my sons roll their eyes and think I'm crazy. Plus, I love reciting commercials. Like How about a nice Hawaiian punch?

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  18. Kathi: I know! I ate candy bars without thought back in the day. Wait. I still do... Ouch! Thanks!

    Abby: Dresses. I loved them too. :)

    Julie: Ha! I love singing to Grease too. It's a classic! And that's funny about the commercials!

    Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  19. Sometimes I think my maturity and what I find funny are exactly the same from when I was a child. LOL
    I still like to play Barbies with my daughter and create new hairstyles for them. (Shhhh!)

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  20. Hi Jill -

    Dolls and reading were my two favorite activities. I still read and have a doll collection. :)

    Blessings,
    Susan

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  21. I loved spending time with my girlfriends. I definitely don't do enough of that anymore.

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  22. Yep, my inner child still loves picture books and candy colored tea cups and textured pillows. I give them to her. Why not? :)

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  23. i like this!!! so many things come to mind...daydreaming under the shade of a tree, long walks in the woods, reading and playing..simply playing with those cute kiddos of mine. That supermom syndrome needs some serious antibiotics sometimes!!

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  24. It's so hard to keep up with everything! I know it starts to frazzle me from time to time too! Hope that you're able to find inspiration again! Love the idea of embracing our inner child! I need to do that more often. Am having a PJ party with my oldest daughters this week sometime, so that will be fun!

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  25. Jennifer: Dressing up Barbies is fun! I've ruined many a doll with my haircutting skills. ;)

    Susan: Love it! You've successfully merged your childhood joy with adulthood--impressive!

    Julie: I don't either. It's so fun to giggle and laugh with them too.

    Tabitha: What is it about tea cups that mesmerizes so? I love those things. The miniature sets always stop me!

    Amber J: Your list looks like my list. Sounds heavenly!

    Jody: PJ party! Woo-hoo! That's really cool--you're going to have a good time!

    Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  26. Oh, Jill. I've done this 4567 times at least. I'm proud of you, that you realize what you lost this summer, and are gaining it back.

    I loved--and still love--to laugh, make others laugh, cut out paper dolls, write, read, pray, and eat ice cream.

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  27. Almost forgot singing. I. Love. To. Sing.

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  28. I still steal from the cookie jar as much as possible! And listen loudly to my I-pod (replaced the Walkman) and sing even though I am completely tone deaf. I understand the stress of adding great goals but trying to keep up with all else. I think trying to figure out what I value the most is helpful, and then be okay to put a few goals away for awhile.

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  29. I think if is wonderful that you got so much done. The hard work will pay off.

    I do a lot of things from childhood: sing, crawl on the floor with my grandson, be goofy with him, read children's books. I'm pretty much in love with the whole childhood sensibilities. I'm also honest (blunt) which gets me into trouble sometimes.

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  30. I loved reading, writing and drawing...I still love those things. :) I hope you get to chill out and relax a little. My next post is going to be about playing kick the can...or in this case cone...(simple fun)

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  31. I loved sleeping in late, losing myself in a novel, and eating chocolate. I still do them all. I also loved writing and thank the Lord that He has given me the will to continue!

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  32. Jill:
    I took things by spells as a kid. And I still do. I read a lot of biographies back then. I was sick a lot when I was in the sixth grade, I got started reading Nancy Drew books. My aunt gave me hers from when she was my age. The copyright dates were in the 1930s. I gave them away when a friend's daughter developed diabetes. I know I had the one's my aunt gave me and the ones my parents bought me and the ones I ordered from a book club.
    Now, I still read a lot but I take it by spells. I got tied up with life this month and haven't picked up the two I started last month. I guess somethings never change.

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  33. Hmm. Excellent thing to consider. Reading is probably at the top of my list, too. And anything miniature.

    BTW, we had a stuffed piggy just like that for the longest time! I loved his floppiness!

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  34. Jen: Ice cream is always high on my list!

    Lynn: It's hard to pick and choose what to do. Something great always has to wait!

    Nancy: Grandkids and kids keep us young, don't they? I adore children!

    Sharon: Kick the can--my cousins always cheated! But we had fun!

    Melissa: You couldn't stop even if you wanted to. Writing is part of you.

    Quiet Spirit: Love Nancy Drew. And I loved the Bobbsey Twins and Betsy/Tacy too. Classics!

    Niki: I'm a sucker for stuffed animals. ;) Reading tops my list too!

    Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  35. This struck a chord with me today. I have lost some of my joy due to the busyness of my life as well. Good reminder to slow down and nurture that inner child.

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