College. Career. Family. Retire. Sound familiar?
Sometimes it seems as though this path is the only one that we college students can choose in life. But I don't think that's the case.
Okay, so adulthood is inevitable; no one can deny that. But I don't think that it has to be so boring. Just because we grow up and have to pay for our own groceries and do taxes doesn't mean that we have to lose the childlike spirit we had some ten or fifteen years ago.
Here are ten things you can do to hold onto the spirit of your childhood:
1. Eat a bowl of Lucky Charms.
You have your entire life to eat Raisin Bran and oatmeal. Eat the marshmallows while you can.
2. Make friendship bracelets.
Instead of checking Twitter every half hour, why not spend your free time making a gift for someone else? As a kid, I always loved making little crafts for my friends, and they're just as kind of a personal gift when you're a young adult.
3. Buy a pack of Poké
mon cards.One pack of Poké
mon cards costs about as much as a stop at Starbucks. No grande Frappuccino can compare to the sweet joy of opening a pack of trading cards and seeing which cards you get (and if you have a holographic one). So go ahead, throw that pack in your cart. Only the cashier will know.
4. Color.
Coloring is making a comeback! Plenty of adults are now using coloring books to soothe anxiety and stress. Plus, it's a great way to relax without staring at your phone or watching TV. Let your creativity flow free! Who cares if you go outside the lines?
5. Go outside.
Maybe hide and seek isn't exactly appealing to you anymore, but just spending some time outdoors can bring you back to the days when you could spend hours in the sun with just your imagination. Riding a bike, playing a sport with friends, or just reading a book in the sunshine are great ways to bring a little youth into your life.
6. Have a sleepover.
Even if your roommate is your best friend, it still doesn't feel like a sleepover every night. So, designate a day when you're going to put your pajamas on early, watch a 2000s movie ("Aquamarine," anyone?), gush about celebrities, and talk until the wee hours of the morning. And don't forget the snacks!
7. Go to an arcade.
When every weekend starts to feel the same, shake it up and head to a local arcade with your friends. You'd be surprised by how fun it still is to play Skeeball and Pac-Man. And when you're done, pool all of your tickets to get something fun and ridiculous for your dorm, like an inflatable chair or a lava lamp.
8. Make something up.
It's hard sometimes to hold onto your imagination, so warm it up with something creative! You could write a story, choreograph a dance, or make a short film with your friends. It doesn't have to be perfect; it just has to be fun!
9. Talk to a friend from home on the phone.
In the age of texting and social media, it's easier to connect with far-away friends, but nothing can replace hearing their voices on the phone. Throw it back to the days when you got home from school and called your best friend right away (hogging the landline, of course) and call a friend just for fun. Catch up on what's going on in his or her life and share a few memories just for laughs.
10. Believe in things.
As we become adults, it's easy to feel like reality is all we have and to get caught up in the stress and worry of everyday life. So when a great opportunity comes your way or when something is going right for once, believe that it'll work out. Don't stress about all of the ways the situation could turn out poorly; let yourself hope for the best. All you need is a little faith, trust, and pixie dust.
