I recently viewed a TikTok that brought me to tears – and not even laughing tears! Basically, it was an animation of a figure facing a dark tunnel labeled “UNIVERSITY” and he is asking his personified childhood if he should be scared. “Childhood” reassures him it’s actually exciting, but then he starts to fade away. I repeat, his childhood fades away! (You can watch it yourself here.)
It got me thinking about my own childhood and what I had said goodbye to. To be honest, I was surprised that I got emotional watching that TikTok because I’m not particularly fond of the majority of my childhood. As soon as I turned 18, I said good riddance to my hometown and reveled in my college freedom. So, I asked myself, why is this so sad? Why am I crying over a stupid video that I can hardly relate to?
Well, because I can relate to it if I really dive down and think about it! I started listing things that brought me joy during my childhood. It looks a little something like this:
(In no particular order)
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Riding my bike in circles in the driveway
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Reading Twilight
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Playing school
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Coloring
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Writing stories
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Playing in our treehouse
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Playing Polly Pockets
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Reading Harry Potter
Can you say nostalgia? Woah!
I’ve heard many moms say that they feel that they’ve lost touch with who they were before they had babies. I didn’t think I was one of those people, but after some reflection, I realized I wanted to get more in touch with the little girl/preteen I used to be. I tried practicing the above list – with some modifications. For example, I already teach for a living, so I didn’t feel the need or desire to “play school…” But you best believe I reread the entire Twilight saga and, boy, I am Team Edward all over again.
I can relate! Reliving mine at the moment by reading midnight sun. You should read it!!