via flickr by jesse.millan
I I received an email last night from a thoughtful reader that touched my heart. She had been reading my posts about childhood aspirations and shared a bit of her story. In her note she described how, somewhere along the way, she stopped visiting that place in her mind where grace and casual elegance lived. Her home felt neglected, and she realized she had drifted away from the dreams of the little girl she once was.
Here are a few lines from her letter:
I am a grown up and somewhere along the line I stopped going into that place in my own mind where grace and casual elegance lived. Things around here are in a dismal state of affairs. Really, my life is a little past the half way mark and I would truly like to live some of it the way my “little girl” imagined.
You have spurred me on to reach into my past and all the dreams and wonders of “how it would be when I became a grown up.”
She asked how to begin living the life she once imagined. That question resonated with me, and I suspect many of us can relate. If you’ve moved from dreaming into the realities of adult life, perhaps this will help you reconnect with those early visions.
So I’m asking you, dear friends, especially those who are well into the “real life” phase:
Do you ever go back in time to think about those little-girl dreams of what life would be like when you grew up?
via flickr by Jolante
Most of us didn’t predict the struggles, setbacks, or the things we’d set aside along the way. Adult life is often far more tiring, messier, and more complicated than the daydreams we once held. My own expectations probably resembled a fairytale more than reality. But I wonder: did I yearn for things beyond reach, or did I simply let those beautiful hopes slip away amid the urgent tasks of every day? I believe I let them go, and I know I’m not alone.
So how do we bring back moments of beauty and grace while managing the inevitable stresses and messes life throws at us?
Where do we begin if we have lost sight of our little-girl dreams?
♥
1 Begin with solitude.
Find quiet space to think and dream. When my life feels chaotic, it’s usually because I haven’t taken any time alone to reflect and pray. Solitude helps me reconnect with the things that matter most.
2 Get a journal and list things you used to love.
Writing brings clarity. Listing the things you loved as a child or young adult makes those desires tangible and achievable again. Simple lists can jumpstart your thinking and help you prioritize small, meaningful changes.
3 Create daily and weekly rituals from the things you love.
Turn small pleasures into regular rituals. When you schedule time for what you love—weekly or daily—you give yourself something to look forward to and protect it from being crowded out by busyness.
4 Slow down.
Intentionally choose activities that slow your pace and let you savor beauty. Slowing down is an act of preservation: it protects the small, meaningful moments from being lost in the rush.
5 Embrace simplicity.
Modern life adds complexity in every direction. Technology, schedules, and constant updates can overwhelm. Whenever possible, step back and enjoy simpler pleasures—rituals and comforts reminiscent of a slower era. Those small, uncomplicated joys often restore perspective and contentment.
6 Live on purpose — incorporate the things you love.
Being an adult gives you choices. Use that freedom to act on the dreams you still carry. Whether small or bold, intentionally weaving beloved activities and values into your everyday life brings those childhood aspirations back within reach.
You don’t have to abandon your dreams. With solitude, reflection, and small but deliberate changes, you can invite grace, simplicity, and beauty back into your life and begin living more like the person your younger self imagined you would be.