We fully expect children to outgrow their clothes, their toys, and their books as they move from one phase of their life to another.
Not only do we expect it, but we realize that for children to become fully functional, healthy adults, they must move on from things that used to serve them as young children, but no longer do.
However, we forget that, just like children, we adults are continually growing and learning and evolving as well.
Here are three ways that we adults outgrow our stuff: 1.
Our Clothes: You would never expect a five-year-old child to fit into a baby's clothes, right? You wouldn't say mean things to the child, berating her for growing out of her tiny shirts and shoes and dresses, would you? You'd probably be excited with her...
drawing lines on the door frame to show her how much taller she's getting, and helping her learn to pick out new clothes and shoes that fit her new, growing self.
However, as adults, we often say very mean things to ourselves when we outgrow our clothes, whether we have outgrown them by gaining weight or by the natural changes in our bodies as we mature.
We may also outgrow our clothes simply by becoming a different person, with different likes and dislikes...
and our clothes may no longer reflect who we are today.
Our clothes play an enormous role in how we express our authentic selves to ourselves and to the world outside.
Give yourself gentle permission to outgrow your clothes when it's time.
Let them go...
and get clothes that fit who you are today.
2.
Our Toys Have you ever noticed that toys for children have age ranges on them? While exploring a parenting website, I saw a great explanation: "The surest way to keep kids safe, happy and developing appropriately at play is to make sure they're playing with age-appropriate toys.
" Toys that were wonderful for a six-year-old are no longer all that interesting for a teenager...
because the teenager has moved past the challenge, interest, and fun to be had with those toys designed for their younger self.
What if toys for adults had age ranges, too? With a similar label: "The best way to keep adults safe, happy, and developing appropriately at play is to make sure they're playing with toys that are wonderful for where they're at in their life.
" As adults, we have lots of options for toys, whether we choose snowmobiles or motorcycles or knitting or watercolors or playing piano or bread machines.
When you no longer find challenge, interest, and fun with your toys, give yourself permission to outgrow them and let them go.
3.
Our Books When children first learn how to read, have you noticed how their books have few, simple words, large pictures, and plenty of color to keep them interested? And they often read the same book every day, over and over, and love it every single time...
often for months.
That's because they are learning and integrating and growing, and the simplicity and repetition is important for them to understand what they're reading.
And then, almost overnight, they put that book at the back of the shelf or under their bed, forgotten, while they immerse themselves in the next book or activity that captures their attention.
As adults, we are often unaware that we are absorbing information and entertainment from our books that can leave us complete, satisfied, and ready to move on.
Staying with the same books or the same ideas or the same information would, in effect, keep us stuck where we are, rather than allowing new ideas to come in.
With your books, as with everything else, once you notice that you have lost interest or no longer need the reminder of what the books represented to you, give yourself permission to outgrow them and let them go.
It's completely OK to outgrow your stuff.
Not only do we expect it, but we realize that for children to become fully functional, healthy adults, they must move on from things that used to serve them as young children, but no longer do.
However, we forget that, just like children, we adults are continually growing and learning and evolving as well.
Here are three ways that we adults outgrow our stuff: 1.
Our Clothes: You would never expect a five-year-old child to fit into a baby's clothes, right? You wouldn't say mean things to the child, berating her for growing out of her tiny shirts and shoes and dresses, would you? You'd probably be excited with her...
drawing lines on the door frame to show her how much taller she's getting, and helping her learn to pick out new clothes and shoes that fit her new, growing self.
However, as adults, we often say very mean things to ourselves when we outgrow our clothes, whether we have outgrown them by gaining weight or by the natural changes in our bodies as we mature.
We may also outgrow our clothes simply by becoming a different person, with different likes and dislikes...
and our clothes may no longer reflect who we are today.
Our clothes play an enormous role in how we express our authentic selves to ourselves and to the world outside.
Give yourself gentle permission to outgrow your clothes when it's time.
Let them go...
and get clothes that fit who you are today.
2.
Our Toys Have you ever noticed that toys for children have age ranges on them? While exploring a parenting website, I saw a great explanation: "The surest way to keep kids safe, happy and developing appropriately at play is to make sure they're playing with age-appropriate toys.
" Toys that were wonderful for a six-year-old are no longer all that interesting for a teenager...
because the teenager has moved past the challenge, interest, and fun to be had with those toys designed for their younger self.
What if toys for adults had age ranges, too? With a similar label: "The best way to keep adults safe, happy, and developing appropriately at play is to make sure they're playing with toys that are wonderful for where they're at in their life.
" As adults, we have lots of options for toys, whether we choose snowmobiles or motorcycles or knitting or watercolors or playing piano or bread machines.
When you no longer find challenge, interest, and fun with your toys, give yourself permission to outgrow them and let them go.
3.
Our Books When children first learn how to read, have you noticed how their books have few, simple words, large pictures, and plenty of color to keep them interested? And they often read the same book every day, over and over, and love it every single time...
often for months.
That's because they are learning and integrating and growing, and the simplicity and repetition is important for them to understand what they're reading.
And then, almost overnight, they put that book at the back of the shelf or under their bed, forgotten, while they immerse themselves in the next book or activity that captures their attention.
As adults, we are often unaware that we are absorbing information and entertainment from our books that can leave us complete, satisfied, and ready to move on.
Staying with the same books or the same ideas or the same information would, in effect, keep us stuck where we are, rather than allowing new ideas to come in.
With your books, as with everything else, once you notice that you have lost interest or no longer need the reminder of what the books represented to you, give yourself permission to outgrow them and let them go.
It's completely OK to outgrow your stuff.