5 lessons I Learned From My Toddler

The things my 3-year-old taught my 30-year-old Self

Even though things have been a roller coaster, I've been spending more time with my 3-year-old and I've come to appreciate some valuable lessons I've gained from the additional time with her.

1. There's always room for imagination.

As adults, we've somehow forgotten how to think flexibly. Even though my 3-year-old still insists that I play with her, she can make almost anything into a toy. Pipe cleaner? It has now been twisted into a fish. Old tin can? It's now a home for her make-believe snail. Tired of editing an excel sheet? But an evil villain is going to destroy Earth if you don't finish! Imagination can make even mundane things feel even a tiny bit more exciting.

2. Take a deep breath.

Even though as adults we have more executive functions, we still feel the same fight-or-flight or freeze when there is a deadline coming or a confrontation with a peer. Just as I often remind my toddler when she's about to lose her mind that she didn't get the right spoon... in those moments, take a deep breath.

3. Make time to rest and refuel.

There is nothing crabbier than a sleep-deprived toddler... except maybe a sleep-deprived, hungry toddler. I've been guilty of going a whole day stressed out about work and realized that I hadn't eaten a thing. Even though things can feel overwhelming, taking care of the basic necessities of our body will ultimately also help our mind and our mood.

4. Stay curious.

Admittedly, sometimes the "why" questions get so out of hand I find myself trying to explain to her why trees exist (I still haven't quite found out how to distill the Big Bang theory into succinct toddler soundbites). Still, it made me realize that sometimes it's easy to go on auto-pilot. When we take a step back and ask "why?" it can often give us clarity in work and life.

5. Eat dessert.

Life is short...so we should enjoy the sweet moments when we can!