Here's why you should get in touch with your inner child
Aya Papaya will help you feel young again
With the daily grind steadily wearing us down, we decided to take a leaf from Drew Barrymore’s book. The original manic pixie dream girl – and our favourite noughties heroine – Barrymore recently went viral on social media for the most wholesome reason ever. A TikTok video showed the actor happily drenched, urging us all to go outside and enjoy the rain.
Barrymore has a fair point. We could all use more of that feeling you get when you smell the first monsoon rain (here’s our guide to rainproof makeup); the sense of anticipation and wide-eyed wonder. Keeping in touch with your inner child allows you to see the beauty in everyday life, from dancing in the rain to never walking past a hopscotch box without skipping through it. For kids, the world is new and exciting, so why should it be different for us jaded grownups?
We already knew the Ouchies bandages by Aya Papaya are a big hit with kids, and the colourful cartoon prints are loved by toddlers. When little ones are sobbing over a scraped knee, these plasters cheer them up instantly. But even grownups can get a blister or scratch a mosquito bite too hard. That’s when you turn to Ouchies. The fun prints, such as ice creams, wild animals, comic book graphics, and unicorns, can be sported by adults, and they’ll bring a smile to your face too (why not decorate your home with quirky prints?)
Each pack has a colour and theme, with variety across the range to suit anyone’s tastes – and if you have kids, you don’t have to buy a separate box of plasters. Not only are these ones cute enough to function as a legitimate accessory to your outfit, they also are nontoxic. In a sea of ugly beige options on the chemist’s shelf, Ouchies are a breath of fresh air.
For your inner child, something as ordinary as cutting your finger can become an opportunity to have fun. Who knew catching sight of a cheerful bandaid could brighten up your day? Get them here, along with an activity box filled with fun stuff for kids.
Ditching your plain old plasters is just the start. Next time you’re out shopping, pick up your favourite chocolate from your childhood and experience the joy of eating it without mom saying no. Revisit your old playlists for peak #nostalgia, and in case meditation sounds like a snooze (here’s how to turn your bedroom into a sleep sanctuary), carve out a few minutes to simply daydream. Journalling from the perspective of your inner child can be a gratifying exercise in introspection. Remember that there are plenty of times even as an adult when the best solution to your problems is a hearty meal and a good night’s sleep – don’t forget to read yourself a bedtime story.
Connecting with our inner child takes us back to our young unburdened selves, who find a life purpose beyond preparing for tomorrow’s meeting (that could definitely have been an email). So the next time someone tells you to grow up, let them know it’s not going to happen anytime soon.