Do you remember what it felt like to be a child when the rain started falling?
You didn’t think about whether you had somewhere to be or worried about getting your clothes dirty. You saw a puddle…and you jumped in it. You danced in the rain. You laughed. You played. We didn’t need a reason to have fun.
We simply did.
As children, joy seemed to find us everywhere. A puddle could become an adventure. A pile of leaves could become a playground. A snowfall found us making snow angels. A favorite song could turn an ordinary afternoon into a dance party.
Then we grew up.
Life became more serious.
There were bills to pay, meals to prepare, jobs to do, people to care for, appointments to keep, and endless things waiting for our attention.
Somewhere along the way, we became very good at being responsible. But maybe we became a little too good at it. We don’t stop having that playful child inside us. We just get so busy that we forget to let them out to play.
Sometimes All It Takes Is a Song
I remember taking the kids to school and having music playing in the car.
Every now and then, a song would come on that made me happy, and I couldn’t help myself. I would start dancing in my seat and singing along.
The kids loved it. Before long, they were laughing, singing, and dancing right along with me.
Those ordinary drives to school became some of my favorite memories. We weren’t doing anything special. We weren’t going anywhere exciting. We were simply together, listening to music and having fun.
And I realize now how much I miss that. I forgot about the woman who danced in her seat; about the joy of simply singing because a song made me happy.
Maybe October is a good time to remember
Maybe that’s what happens to many of us as we grow older. Yes, as adults we have a never-ending list of things that need to be done. But that inner child is waiting for an invitation to come out and play.
So, I’m reminding myself, too.
The next time I’m in the car and one of those songs comes on, I’m going to sing. I’m going to dance in my seat. And if someone in the car next to me happens to see me?
Who cares?
I’m going to enjoy the song. Because maybe that’s what Dancing in the Rain really means. It isn’t always about literally dancing in the rain. Sometimes it’s about recognizing a happy moment when it comes along—and allowing yourself to enjoy it.
So, when your song comes on…
SING.
Turn it up. Dance in your seat. Laugh. Let yourself feel that little spark of happiness again. Bring that child within you out to play.
We simply need to remember that being an adult doesn’t mean giving up the things that once made us smile.
There is room for responsibility and play.
There is room for caring for others and caring for ourselves.
There is room for being grown-up…
and still getting a little muddy.
Because perhaps self-care isn’t always about being quiet, peaceful, and still. Sometimes self-care sounds like laughter. Sometimes it looks like dancing. Sometimes it feels like freedom to do something simply because it makes you happy.
So, this October, let’s make a little room for her.
The little girl who jumped in puddles. The girl who made snow angels. The girl who couldn’t wait to put on her Halloween costume. The girl who believed a simple afternoon could become an adventure. She’s still a part of you.
And she deserves a little attention, too.
🌿 A Quiet Thought
Sometimes we don’t need to change our lives.
Sometimes we simply need to notice the little moments that make us happy—and give ourselves permission to enjoy them.
A song. A laugh. A rainy afternoon. A silly memory. A few minutes when nothing needs to be accomplished.
Those moments may seem small, but sometimes the smallest moments become the memories we treasure most.
🌿 One Small Step
This week, do one thing that your younger self would love.
Don’t make it productive. Don’t make it complicated. Don’t overthink it.
Turn up a song and dance. Sing in the car. Enjoy a piece of Halloween candy. Watch your favorite old movie. Go outside and kick through the leaves. Or, if the rain comes, find a puddle.
Just do something that makes you smile.
And if someone asks you why?
You can simply say…
“Because I wanted to.”
