Today I took the liberty of a mid-day workout. It’s a slow time at the gym so it’s easy to get in, do some work, and get out. It’s also a nice break in the day and gives me energy to finish out the work day strong!

This week local schools are on fall break so there was a more kids running around than usual. The YMCA has childcare and camps so I watched as two groups of kids were lined up while waiting for their next activity.

Kids can’t stand still.

They just can’t stop moving.

While in line I watched the kids fidget, wiggle, dance, jump, poke, play, and generally refuse to stand still despite being corralled into an orderly line.

Photo: Nick Chapman via Flickr

Any chance they get, kids are moving and doing something fun.

It’s adorable and made me wonder:

When did we stop moving?

When do children stop fidgeting and playing and become such calm adults?

Or do all of us secretly wish we could still act like kids?

Maybe deep down we all do still wish we could be kids who are free to move and express themselves in the ways that they want.

However, adults most be proper. We must be professional. We must act like we are adults!

If we dance while waiting on the bus or goofily move around in the grocery line we will be called weird or secretly taped for someone’s YouTube page.

So most of us never move for fun.

When is the last time you were just waiting in line and decided to playfully move to pass the time? Never?

We move from place to place. We move when we have a purpose. We move to get fit. We move to make things happen. We move in the approved ways in the approved environments.

Some of us try to make our movement fun. We play sports and go to Zumba and try new things to see if we like them. Even this is motion and movement in approved ways. Someone has given us rules to follow! We know what to do! We know how to achieve the right type of play!

When did we stop moving for fun?

I like to randomly burst out in dances and make “strange” movements sometimes. I like to do cartwheels whenever I have enough space. I like to move my body because I’m amazed at what it can do.

However, the reactions these types of movements get, the same type of movements little kids do, gets terrible responses. “What are you doing? / You’re being weird. / Are you ok? / Oooookay?” The responses are always questioning as if to ask am I really doing that type of stuff as an adult?

I’ve thought a lot today about Carla who is the epitome of an adult that makes playing and movement fun. I’ve thought about how she’s an anomaly in the world of fitness and blogging. She jumps and plays and is unapologetically herself. I think a lot of us need to take up this message.

Move for fun! 

Move when it feels right!

Move no matter what the other adults say and think!

Move, play, dance, enjoy your body!

A line full of elementary school kids inspired me today and I’m going to do my best to follow their lead.