Like a child

Hello there! This is Ms. Jenn from {Bits of Beauty}, pleasure to meet you. I've been thinking quite a bit lately about how children behave, especially how they play. Most of us have nostalgia for our childhood, mostly because we were carefree, uninhibited, and playful. We had FUN! When was the last time you played like that? As grown-ups, we try too hard and make things more difficult for ourselves. Why? It doesn't have to be that way. I want you to practice playing. I've given you 8 suggestions below. {Feel free to add your own in the comments section.} It'll make you feel better, I promise.

{Blow bubbles} Is there anyone who doesn't enjoy blowing bubbles? It's easy and cheap. You can do it anywhere, so pick up a bottle the next time you're at the store. I'm going to do this with my son this weekend. I wonder who can blow a bigger bubble.

{Run} I don't mean running for exercise. I'm talking about that break-neck run you did when you were a kid; the one where you just took off until you couldn't breathe.

{Jump} I don't know if it's because we're afraid of looking silly or that someone might see all the jiggly bits in movement, but we all really need to get over it. Jump, leap, skip, bounce.

{Get dirty} I'm not sure where along the line we get so squeamish, but it gets in the way of our having fun.

{Swing} I'm not quite sure this one needs any explanation. There's a reason they sell swinging seats and gliders at patio stores. The movement is soothing. When you're on a real swing it can be soothing or exhilarating. Find a playground. Find a tree and some rope. Just get moving.

{Take bubble baths} Grab some Mr. Bubble and go for it. I know you've missed sculpting bubble beards and towers on your head. No bathtub? If you've got a backyard, might I suggest a wading pool filled with bubbles?

{Art} Do you remember what it was like to open a brand new box of crayola crayons? How often did you just get lost for hours finishing a picture? We're all so busy and obsessed with managing our time. Enough already! Get crayons, glue, scissors, construction paper, fingerpaint, watercolor, a camera, and make something. Don't pay attention to how long it will take. Who cares? So what if it's a mess. It doesn't have to be perfect, it just has to be fun.

{Climb} I never really climbed trees as a child, but I did climb just about everything else. I did climb up a tree a few months ago while apple picking in NY. It gets harder as you get older, but it's still just as fun. So if you can, climb something and sit up there for a bit!

I hope you enjoy your weekend! Come visit me sometime.

Photos {via} 1. amalia chimera 2. Julia Davis 3. hairspiration 4. serenity 5. paperlilies 6. champagne kisses 7. black cigarette 8. plastic nico 9. end of march