We Are All Amazing and Famous

When I was little, I used to make my parents announce me before I’d walk into a room. They’d be sitting in the living room, minding their own business, when they’d hear “Announce me! Announce me!” from around the corner. And with all the gusto of a circus ringmaster, they’d shout, “And here she is, the Amazing and Famous Brittanyyyyyy!” I’d then stroll into the room like the cool three year-old I was, a blanket tied around my shoulders, waving at my adoring public and bowing.

I never got tired of this. I’m sure my parents very quickly did.

As soon as my next sibling could walk, I got him in the action as well. My parents would announce me, and then Brandon would totter out behind me as I tried to make him my assistant.

These days, though, I don’t always feel that amazing or famous. Life has somehow squeezed it out of me, and now I want it back.

Why don’t you just grow up?

No one has to teach kids how to ask questions or have opinions – we’re all born that way. Kids notice things. Like, EVERYTHING. And they never leave you in doubt about whether or not they like something (“Meh, I guess unicorns are just OK…” said no five year old ever).

*It’s the little things…Credit: Andrew Nadeau on Twitter*

However, we are taught guilt, shame, and hatred – either of ourselves and/or others – as we get older. Suddenly, asking questions makes us annoying and disrespectful. Having opinions makes us “bossy” or difficult. We learn to tone down parts of ourselves in order to fit in and make other people feel comfortable. And we learn that “different” is somehow bad and to be avoided at all costs.

We get these messages in various ways. A teacher that calls us out in front of our classmates. A boss that makes us feel like an outsider. Parents who tell us not to embarrass them at family functions. A partner who makes us feel like we’re “too much.” Someone in church who was all too happy to quote 1 Corinthians 13:11 at us when they disapproved of certain behavior.

It seems the older we get, the less we’re encouraged to ask questions or get excited about things. We’re often told this is just how life is. There are now more important things to care about, like getting good grades, graduating, getting a job, making money, wearing the right clothes, marrying the right person, having your own children, driving the right car, having the “correct” political views…you get my point. There’s a template for adulthood, and it doesn’t include time for being blown away by a bug on a leaf. That’s not for grown-ups with actual responsibilities.

Getting back to basics

I often try channeling “Amazing and Famous” Brittany’s confidence before big meetings (three year old me definitely knew striking a power pose was cool before it was cool). I try to remember what it felt like to walk into a room and not worry about being taken seriously or whether I would say something dumb. But honestly, it’s very painful to think of all the time I’ve spent in my adult life pushing that Brittany away in the name of trying to be like everyone else, especially with my ADHD.

We may not recognize our inner child anymore, and for some of us, it’s really uncomfortable to think about. But in these weird, uncertain times, finding ways to get back in touch with that younger version of ourselves can be extremely freeing and healing.

Did you draw or paint as a kid? Did you play sports? Did you ride horses? Did you read or write your own stories? When was the last time you did any of those things just for fun? This kind of reflection can really help tap into a part of ourselves that we may feel we’ve lost. Journaling is currently helping me process what these things are for me, so if you find yourself at a loss, I encourage you to start writing out some ideas.

I’m not saying we all should immediately go out and play in the mud or race someone back to the house or build blanket forts. But then again, maybe that’s exactly what we need to do.