QUESTIONS QuestIons ABOUT ABOUT CHILDHOOD CHILDHOOD

1. How would you define childhood in your own words?

Innocence, beauty, sweetness, and fun. A time to not worry, and a space to breathe freely.

-Gabe

Childhood is the age where nothing matters but those toys that are played at school, the recess basketball game, and the splendor of fast food.

-Anonymous A

Youthful innocence.

-Elise

A period where everything is a grand mystery, a big adventure, even the small ones.

-Anonymous B

Innocence. It was the time we barely knew anything about the world around us.

-Peach

2. What does childhood mean to you?

It is the basis of my being. It is the “nurture” to my “nature”, and it instilled core values into me without my consciousness. There are so many things about my personality and about my existence in the world that depend upon how I was raised. Sometimes I wish I could change it, and sometimes I’m glad I got what I got.

-Felix

It’s everything!

Childhood shaped me who I am today, all the things I’ve learned wouldn’t be the same if my childhood wasn’t meaningful to me.

-BluemingBirb

Childhood is something innocent and unstained. There is a beauty in it where worries and anxiety aren’t present, or not as much as in older people. We are constantly learning and are shaped by people around us.

-Olivia

Innocence, love, and learning things.

-Jazz

A point in my life I wish I could go back to, but something I can barely remember.

-Anonymous B

Childhood to me meant a time where there was no stress, where my dreams seemed more like dreams, and reality was only what was in front of me and not what I wanted it to be.

-Anonymous A Childhood is a time where I could smell garlic and onion stir frying, hear the crackle of washed leafy greens hit a hot pan, and taste my mother’s cooking. It’s a time where my friends and I would play outside, get sweaty and dirty, get roughed up, then wash up in time for dinner with my family. It’s a mindset of having fun and being in the moment, never wishing to be older or wanting more.

-Gabe

3. What is your greatest memory from your childhood?

I remember our family vacations very vividly, like when we were watching the 2012 Olympics from our hotel room TV in Atlanta while we were visiting my uncle. We went to the Coca Cola factory and had so much fun exploring. I also love our hiking trips to national parks and the pictures we would take for our Christmas cards.

-Olivia

To me, my greatest childhood memory will always be the times when I was playing Pokemon or Mario Kart on the DS with my friends back in elementary school.

-Anonymous A

I can’t remember important events (birthdays, holidays, firsts), but more so random “insignificant” parts? It’s not the greatest, since everything is so hazy, but I remember during a road trip we stopped at a hotel. The room was so bright and sunny. My grandpa was sitting on fancy couch chair while I was at this low table cutting banana slices, and then I put 3 cheerios on it like a little flower and served it to my grandpa like I was a little chef.

-Anonymous B

I used to catch and rehabilitate feral cats with my grandfather, especially during the colder months where they would’ve frozen to death without proper shelter. It makes me feel good to know that I saved some cats’ lives and got them into good home, and I’m glad I got to bond with my grandfather.

-Felix

4. When you were a child, how did you image your adult self? How is it different from yourself now?

I thought I would be more put together and fully grown up by my 20s, but I realized 20 is still so young and I have so much to learn and grow from.

-Elise

As a child, I imagined myself to be a happy adult who would work as a teacher. Now, even though I am happy, I also have stresses. I have also decided to go on a different career path.

-Jen

I honestly didn’t imagine it much different to who I am now, but I would say I thought my childlike tendencies would disappear but if anything they are as prevalent as ever but I think this is valuable. I am able to find joy in very mundane environments and I lean towards a more humorous and cherished life.

-Anonymous A

I imagined myself as a teacher, still doing all of the hobbies as I did as a child, like gymnastics, piano, violin, knitting, etc. I am now a healthcare major and in Philadelphia, not in New York. I still love gymnastics and music but no longer practice it like how I used to, and I have found my passion in healthcare while still practicing teaching by tutoring.

-Olivia

I thought I’d be anything I want to be. Well, I’m gonna be an adult next year, and I still have no idea what to do with my life.

-Peach

20 year old me would be tall and strong, have a long time girlfriend and be well off. I realize that no one hits an age and suddenly knows how to be an adult. Everyone is learning as they go.

-Gabe

5. What is something you would tell your younger self?

Everyone’s making it up as they go along. Don’t act like you’re any different. These are the good old days. Go out and make memories.

-Gabe

It’s gonna be okay!

-Elise

I would tell my younger self to not worry about what others think and speak your own opinions. -Jen

You’ll find people who will understand you and accept who you are so hang in there because you’re lovable and crazy as it is. -BluemingBirb

Keep pursuing what you love and focus, don’t get distracted. -Jazz

Seize every opportunity that comes your way!

-Peach