In praise of childhood

What I learned: embrace what you liked in your childhood - it’s bound to make you happy now too.

The older I get, the more I go back to my childhood.

As we grow up, we experience so much pressure to do things that are expected of us, but don’t necessarily make us happy. We choose jobs that pay a good salary, but may not fulfill us. We take on hobbies that are healthy - but not always fun. We buy a big house or car just to fit in with those around us.

Some of this is positive - without an external push, we may always stay in our comfort zones, and never grow. Sometimes stress is good.

But go too far out of your comfort zone for too long, and we lose perspective of who we really are, deep down. Of what makes us truly happy.

If you’re struggling to find things that actually make you happy, try to remember what gave you joy when you were a child. Odds are, it will make you happy now too.

I have realised that a lot of the things that I enjoy the most have their roots in my childhood. And instead of “growing up” and finding more productive things to do, I am embracing this young version of myself.

So I think back to my childhood.

I remember all the times we went swimming at the lake and building sand castles.
So on summery days, I go swimming in a lake, and read a book in the sun.

I remember the evenings of board games with my family (I was a terrible loser).
So I spend the evening playing board games with my friends (I’m still a bad loser).

I remember having dinner together every evening.
So I cook “spekjes”, the meal my father cooked for my mother on one of their first dates.

I remember the relaxing weekends spent at home, with me and my dad sharing a can of diet coke and hot & spicy pringles.
So I buy myself a diet coke and pringles. The taste of those two together brings me right back.

I remember the evenings all sitting together in the living room reading.
So I spend the evening with a cup of tea and a book, together with those that I love.

What gives you joy? And ask yourself - what in your childhood does that remind you of?

Embrace your inner child. It might just make you happier.

Note: Swap the bacon out for tofu to make it vegan

Ingredients:

• 250g bacon cubes

• 1 large onion

• 2 garlic cloves

• Smoked paprika

• 3 bell peppers

• 1 can of tomatoes

• 50g tomato paste

• 250g rice

Fry bacon in butter (or oil) until crispy.

Push to the side of the pan and fry the onion in the bacon fat and butter for 5-10 minutes.

Add the garlic cloves, tomato paste, and a hefty amount of smoked paprika.

Chop and add the bell peppers, as well as the can of tomatoes.

While this simmers, boil the rice for 10 minutes.

Serves 4. Enjoy!