Growing up is a part of life. However, when things get tough and life comes at you hard, it is nice to go back to a simpler time when the hardest thing was deciding if you want to play in the sandpit or the monkey bars during recess. We think that as we age, we grow smarter and wiser, which is true, but there are some things we can learn from our younger selves to live a more stress-free life.

1. Don’t forget to take a break and have fun every once in a while.

I get it, trying to balance school work and actual work is tough. Sometimes you become so stressed you forget to take care of yourself. Remember in elementary school how excited you were to go to recess every day? It’s not healthy for you to overwork yourself, so always take breaks every once in a while. Whether that be going on a walk outside, shopping at your local thrift store, or playing that video game that’s been sitting on your shelf, self-care is always important.

2. Sometimes ignorance really is bliss.

Honestly, as you get older you start realizing how horrible the world really is. It was a much happier time when you were 8 and didn’t know how politics or society really worked. Obviously, you can’t go back and forget about all of the things you learned as you grew up, but maybe it’s OK to let yourself not be caught up with every single article of news on your feed. Also, it's not a good idea to stalk your ex on Twitter. Both of these things will lead you to feel depressed for the next couple of hours.

3. Cherish the things you have.

I don’t know about you, but when I was little I dragged around the same teddy bear every single day. To be honest, the same teddy bear is sitting on my bed as I’m writing this article. Remember as a kid when your parents would buy you a new toy and you played with that thing for hours on end every day? Like when you got a new stuffed animal and you loved that thing until there were tears all over it. It’s important to realize how lucky you are to possess the things around you, whether that be the house over your head, the laptop you’re probably reading this on, or even that old stuffed animal you still have.

4. Love your family.

Your parents were basically your superheroes when you were growing up, and then all of that changed once you reached your angsty teenage years. Now, in college, there are times when we forget to check in with them. Don’t forget about the people that helped you become who you are today (and if you’re lucky, are helping you pay off those student bills). You’re growing up fast, but they are too. Make sure to let them know just how much they mean to you. As a kid, you loved spending every second with them; help them remember you love to spend time with them today, as well.

5. Let yourself grow. Change is OK.

When you’re little, you can’t wait to grow up. You always got excited to mark another line on the doorframe when you got an inch taller or to join your older siblings on the big roller coaster rides when you went to the amusement park. Change in your life always seemed to be so exciting when you were younger, but as we got older, it turned into something to be afraid of. Graduating seems terrifying, and getting out in the real world almost seems unreal. We need to remember that this is just a part of life, and we should embrace change whenever it comes. It helps us become stronger people and to figure out where to go. Don’t be afraid of something that will ultimately help you for the better.