Skip the Yearning. Take that nostalgia and practice some kidulting. 

Are you yearning for the past? Maybe it’s time to break tradition, get out of your head, take action, and practice some kidulting. 

One thing learned from our research is the impact nostalgia has on the current state of play for adults. Nostalgia can enhance play by connecting us to positive memories and emotions from the past.  

We have heard time and time again how people miss the feelings and memories evoked by childhood play. The simple process of taking our survey reminded people of what they lack in life today and how they might consider ways to reignite that playful feeling again as adults. 

Take a minute. Reflect. Perhaps write down how you would answer this question:

How did you play as a kid? 

Next up, ask the same question to a new friend or reminisce with an old childhood buddy. Relive those funny joyful moments you felt as a child. If you get to a belly laugh. Lucky you.  Now consider… 

Where does play fit in my life now? Is it as powerful as it was for me as a child? If not, why not, and how can I get back to that place of Joie de vivre today? 

These personal assessments can lead to thought-provoking responses and longer discussions on how childhood nostalgia (and play) can inform how we might want to play again today. 

 “In practice, kidulting is a natural, simple return to known, feel-good childhood activities,” says clinical psychologist Carla Marie Manly, PhD, author of Joy From Fear. “The familiarity of the activity is often the perfect backdrop for unwinding.”

Simply yearning for the past can lead to negative thoughts about the present and takes you nowhere. Looking back positively on play provides comfort in favorable ways to reinforce your present moment and inform your future play. 

It’s ‘fun’ but you ask how will it really impact me and my path in life today? Does it really matter?

National Geographic has shown that “nostalgia can increase our sense of well-being, boost inspiration and creativity, make us feel more youthful, alert, optimistic, and energetic, and even encourage us to take risks and pursue our goals.” NatGeo further shares that “Yang and her research colleagues have recently found that nostalgia can reduce our perception of pain and enhance our ability to detect threats.”

The holidays are just around the corner. They aren’t always easy and can be painful for some. Revisit childhood play. Figure out what brought you joy back then. Create a plan for future play. Take playful action to progress forward. It may just be the perfect elixir to make it through the season.

For other ideas on nostalgia and play click below:

How to Add More Play to Your Grown-Up Life, Even Now – Practice Playfulness

Anticipate, Experience, Remember Play

Nostalgia…Remember all that fun you had as a kid?

Find The Mirth