What should we learn from children?

Parents teach children to speak, read, communicate with others … But children also have a lot to learn. They do not need to work, solve pressing problems, think about the fate of the world. At the same time, they know better what is really important, and they know how to enjoy every day. These and other skills adults should adopt.

Feel free to ask for help

Adults often equate asking for help with admitting weakness or incompetence. Have you noticed that with age it becomes more and more difficult to make requests to colleagues or relatives? We are shy, we do not want to disturb people, we are afraid of rejection or pity. We are ashamed. After all, even asking for a small favor, we admit our helplessness, inability to cope with something. And the more serious the service, the more painful this recognition is.

Having said the cherished “I can handle it myself”, we are trying to solve the problem alone and spend much more time and effort. Children are not shy about turning to adults with any problem: from “I can’t open a water bottle” to “I’m bored, let’s play.” They need to learn this. Indeed, often relatives and friends do not mind helping, it can even be a pleasure for them.

Be yourself

Children know how to pretend when necessary, but at the same time remain themselves in any situation. They don’t try to appear smarter, stronger or more serious, they act spontaneously and sincerely, because it’s easier to make new friends, and it’s more fun to play together.

Growing up, we try on many images, try to change, to seem like someone else. We forget what it means to be ourselves, and this sometimes leads to loneliness.

Don’t hold back emotions

Joy, anger, fun… children don’t know how to block emotions. They live them. We try to protect ourselves from negative feelings: we do not allow ourselves to be angry, we drive away sadness, we are afraid to rejoice too obviously. In the adult world, emotional behavior is considered not very correct.

Of course, it is not always possible to give free rein to emotions. But it is also impossible to hide from them or deny them. If showing them is inappropriate, at least admit to yourself: “Yes, I am angry / sad / furious.” Otherwise, it can lead to psychological problems.

Allow yourself not to know everything

Children are not ashamed that they do not know or do not know how to do something. They don’t waste precious time or mislead others, as many adults do. It is better to say that you are incompetent in something, but are ready to learn it, than to fool your colleagues and friends.

Don’t be afraid of failure

Watch how selflessly the child is in a hurry to take on a new business that an adult offers him: to draw, sculpt, take care of the garden, cook a cake … He is actively involved in the process, not even knowing really what and how to do. He is ready to help, make mistakes, learn. He trusts intuition, he wants to be useful and create.

We, on the other hand, are often afraid of new beginnings, we do not want to be involved in some project because of the fear of failing. And this makes it difficult to get off the ground, to change your life, even if the need for change is already ripe.

Explore the unknown

The older we get, the more we think we know everything. We have seen everything, we have been everywhere, nothing will surprise us. The child looks at the world with wide eyes. He admires bizarre clouds, studies books about dinosaurs and ancient conquerors with interest. The whole world around him is terra incognita, which needs to be explored. And every day is full of amazing adventures.

And how much of the unknown is still waiting for you? Why not go to the museum tonight? Or taste Ethiopian cuisine? Or maybe listen to the album of a young artist? Open yourself to new things, develop your imagination, become more inquisitive. Research proves that new experiences train the brain and stimulate creative skills.

Constantly be on the move

Children simply cannot sit still for a long time. They like to run, jump, crawl. They instantly process the received calories and never seem to get tired. Try and you become active at least a third of what you were many years ago. Do not sit still when you can walk. Go for runs and walks. Go in for sports, finally. This will make you more alert and energetic.