Some Millennials And Older Generations Are 'Kidulting.' Maybe You Should, Too

“To kidult ― is to recreate childhood memories by partaking in activities generally considered for children.

According to a study published in April 2021 in the journal Emotion, nostalgia is a highly social emotion that can bolster our feelings of connectedness with others.

Even getting nostalgic on your own has feel-good benefits; a study published in the same journal in 2016 found that nostalgic people tend to have a healthier sense of self-continuity ― meaning a sense of connection between one’s past and one’s present. (Which is not to say that getting wistful about that past can’t be a little depressing; nostalgia is bittersweet, of course.)

“Overall, I think nostalgia is just comforting,” said Nicole Booz, the author of “The Kidult Handbook.”

“Adults who reminisce [in] the nostalgia of childhood are looking back to a time in their lives where they felt secure, when there was an entire lifetime of possibilities in front of them.”

Grant yourself permission to play.

If you’re a play agnostic, try to acknowledge that you’re doing something really good for yourself when you play.

“You have to push aside your ego, self-consciousness, and adult responsibilities, let go and embark on a fun-finding mission,” Sinclair said.

Kidulting is not about being childish or immature or time-wasting, Booz said: “It’s about re-embracing the positive parts of childhood as adults so that we can practice healthy escapism and tap into things we truly, deeply love.”

Read the full article on Huffpost

✨Takeaway: The benefits of play and nostalgia on the mind are greatly underappreciated. When given the chance, play can also reawaken feelings of awe as familiar items are seen through curious eyes from a fresh viewpoint.

✨Reflection: Can you think of a play activity that brings you nostalgia? For me, it’s playing Sims!

#Adulting #Millennial #Kidulting #MentalHealth #Wellness #Wellbeing #Nostalgic