Joy From The Little Things
August 2024
As kids grow up, there seems to be an age when giving out stickers or stamps for doing a great job, stops. I’m sure we all remember getting them in kindergarten and the few years that followed, on everything from our homework to our exams, and sometimes even just as a reward for doing a task really well. And then one day, they just stop. You never tell a teacher or any other adult that you don’t want them anymore; They just stop being given out and they’re never talked about.
In our household, I had a small collection of cute stamps and stickers that I’d give out to my children. The stamps were sometimes an issue as the ink needed a lot of blotting after being applied to the skin, or else the stamp print would go everywhere for the next 30 minutes, but I still gave them out. From time to time, the stickers would either run out or stop sticking (especially if they were really cheap or too old), but they were always loved and everyone had their favourites. But then one day, like school, it all kind of stopped. I think it coincided with when we moved as I separated from my ex, and it got “lost” in the boxes. It was found a few years later but by then, it wasn’t something that we did anymore, so they sat unused. Every now and then, one of the kids would mention it as a reminiscence of things we used to do, but nothing ever came of those conversations.
Then the other day, I was in a local stationery store with my eldest, as she needed to grab a few things for school, and I stumbled upon the stickers and stamps section. I fondly looked through the stamps to see what the designs were now and I looked through the stickers. When my eldest found me looking through them, she first asked me why and then proceeded to tell me how she still loves getting stamps and stickers for a job well done. So on a whim, I bought some.
After we arrived home, I announced to all my kids that if certain (overdue) chores and cleaning tasks were done that afternoon, that they’d each get a special stamp. To my amazement, they each ran off to complete their task, quickly and thoroughly. Once I could confirm that everyone was done properly, a sticker was given out. The excitement and happiness that transpired from a simple sticker being given, was amazing. It’s not like they’ve never been thanked or appreciated for doing tasks, so it seemed odd at first that they’d be so happy about it, but then one of them simply said: “Who made the rule that stickers are only for little kids and that you stop liking them when you’re older? I love getting them! I’d probably be more excited about getting back my assignments and exam results if there was a sticker or stamp on it.”
So who did make the rule about stickers and stamps being only for little kids? When did that become the norm?
And whilst we’re on the topic, when did a whole bunch of other things that are fun, like jumping in puddles, become something that only little kids do? Sure, there’s a time a place for it and we’re probably not going to jump in a muddy puddle on purpose, when we’re wearing something nice, but what about when we’re not? What happened to play clothes? When did it all get so serious? Who said that growing up has to be so serious? Why can’t the fun and excitement keep going?
Okay, so I completely understand that things that we once found as funny, become silly, stupid or inappropriate, but surely there are things that we can do that could be a bit of both? Life is dull without colour and I think it’s time that everyone did something, even if it’s little and somewhat insignificant, to bring a bit of joy and laughter back into our lives. Here are some happiness-inducing suggestions that I can quickly think of right now:
Write in different coloured ink
Wear comical or colourful socks (and/or underwear)
Add a piece of jewellery that’s fun and different
Wear a brightly coloured scarf or belt
Use a bag that’s not black or brown
Add pins / badges to bags or clothing
Opt for the colourful drink bottle or coffee cup
Put on gumboots and go splash in a puddle or two
Run through a pile of leaves
Draw outside in coloured washable chalk
Buy (or make) the cupcake with the colourful icing and sprinkles on it
And I'm sure that there are much more little things, that you could add to the list, but which one will you choose to do? Regardless of what you choose to do, I’d like you to reflect on how that little change made you feel (it should lift your mood) and then see if you can incorporate more of the little moments of fun back into your life. Because we all deserve to feel happy, especially about the little things.
