Healthier habits: the joy of childhood

An update from My Community Library

On February 14 we celebrated Library Lovers Day.

This year’s theme was ‘Show the Love’ and the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) encouraged library patrons Australia-wide to remember the wonder they experienced when they discovered something new as a child. 

Myli’s Healthier Habits blog this month continues this theme by challenging us to think about what you loved doing as a child and re-live some of the joy in your ‘grown-up’ life.

As adults, we often get bogged down in the hard work of ‘being an adult’ and we don’t always take time out for the hobbies and activities we enjoy.

We say things like, ‘I don’t play sport’ or ‘I don’t cook’ or ‘I can’t draw’ even though as a child, we may have spent hours whacking tennis balls against the garage wall, playing the drums with a hairbrush or drawing detailed pictures with our crayons.

Re-discovering what you enjoyed doing as a child can really boost your spirits and help you get unstuck from the idea that you can’t do something.

You can enter a new world where it doesn’t matter if you are any good at something or not. When you approach a childhood hobby again, you may discover that you actually might be good at it!

It doesn’t matter if you don’t create a masterwork or the next great Australian novel; the pleasure is to escape the reality of real life and finding that childlike joy from years gone by.

This month, the team at Myli has had a great discussion about long-forgotten childhood pursuits and what to try as adults.

Roller skating, horse riding, bug catching and ballet were high on the list. Also discussed was remembering the excitement of looking in rock pools and attempting to skip stones across the water. The absolute thrill you got from lifting your hands off the handlebars as you flew down a hill on your bike (just make sure you’re wearing a helmet!).

They have also been talking about favourite childhood books and vowed to borrow them to read.

Here are some recommendations from Myli:

Read: And Then We Grew Up. This book, written by Rachel Friedman, is for anyone who has given up a childhood dream and wondered “what-if?”. For those who have aspired to do what they love and had doubts along the way, and for all whose careers fall somewhere between emerging and established. Available in paperback and an e-audiobook on BorrowBox.

Listen: Days Like These. The best story you’ll hear this week. Presented by Elizabeth Kulas, Days Like This is a podcast told by one person telling the tale of how they lived through something wild. Sometimes funny, sometimes scary, sometimes both. Listen on the ABC listen app, Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts.

So why not take time to think about what you loved doing as a child and try it! You can share your stories via hi@myli.org.au.

The opinions and recommendations in the Healthier Habits blog do not replace advice from your doctor or mental health practitioner. If you need further support call Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636 or visit beyondblue.org.au and in an emergency when a life is at risk call 000.

The Healthier Habits blog is adapted from the Myli – My Community Library employee ‘Page Break’ program.

For more information visit myli.org.au, call 1800 HI MYLI or visit your local branch to learn more.

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