8 Tips From Childhood That Will Make Adulthood Less Of A Struggle

Several celebrities credit adding childlike elements to their day to help give them a better work/home balance. Whether it's Blake Lively taking chocolate breaks, Oprah starting her day off with board games or even the Queen having an hour a day set aside JUST to play with her corgis, it's pretty much proven that successful people seem to be taking a note out of their childhood diaries and applying it to their lives. 

Here are some lessons from your childhood self that could make being an adult a thousand times easier. 

There's SO much pressure to be constantly productive. Like, if you're not at work, you should be networking or getting ANOTHER degree or exercising until your body turns into a microchip. Enough of the pressure. Give yourself time throughout the day to tap into your inner-goofball. Who knows? You just might be able to turn a crappy Monday into the best day of the week. 

As an adult, there's the constant pressure to eat healthy. Well, pressure can backfire and before you know it, you're ordering everything off the Chinese delivery menu.  

Well, kids never sacrifice flavor for nutrition, so to avoid a binge session, don't deprive yourself. Of course, you'll have to exhibit portion control—but balancing out foods you really want to eat with fruits, vegetables and lean protein is a healthier long-term approach. This method is literally how parents prevent childhood obesity without having a family mutiny. It can keep you healthy and prevent food waste, too.

If a kid is told "Your juice box isn't AUTHENTIC," that kid gives zero fucks and continues to drink their Capri Sun. Likewise, I love the sugary concoction that is a Cinnabon Mochalatte. It is, in my opinion, the perfect beverage—but all of my hipster friends keep judging me for it. Adults usually buckle under pressure to conform, but a lesson from childhood is that coffee and other drinks are yours and yours alone. Pay no mind to what other people think. 

People often fall into the trap of wearing what they're "supposed" to wear (like only wearing dark colors because they're slimming) instead of what makes them feel comfortable and fashionable. Kids just wear clothes that they like, ignoring what their parents or anyone else thinks. Take a page from Kimmy Schmidt, Anna Wintour and Queen Elizabeth II—don't settle for head-to-toe black and wear what makes you happy. 

Going to the gym is pretty boring, but for kids exercise was AWESOME because it was always a game or an excuse to spend time outdoors. Ride your bike to work or join an adult kickball league. The secret is simply finding something that will keep you in shape while having the time of your life.

After a long day at the office, the best thing ever is going home and using your precious free hours to eat food and watch Netflix. Fool, your childhood self would be outside catching lightning bugs! Make time to go outside, even a quick walk outside decreases depression and is great for your mental health.

Balance out time spent in nature with "The Animaniacs" or some other fun '90s cartoon. Unlike the Netflix binge-watching kids of today, TV time used to be controlled by mom and dad, making their TV/Life more balanced. So, watch all of your favorite shows, but have an END in mind so that your life doesn't revolve around the tube.

The adult idea of treating yourself is usually a trip to Sephora or buying a bottle of wine that's NOT three dollars. But kids have a way of treating themselves in little ways, so don't say no to ice cream or candy all of the time. Give yourself a little treat every so often (Blake Lively does it literally every day, so you should be fine).