Issue #103 | January 22nd, 2026 | Previous issues​

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Hey Reader,

Did you hear?

We may be getting a blizzard this Sunday in New York. Finally!!! ☃️ They're predicting anywhere from 3-58 inches (ugh that dash, talk about uncertainty!).

The last time the Hudson Valley had a true blizzard was 1996.

I'll be incredibly disappointed if we get only 3 inches (is that even snow?).

Here's my (AI generated) please let it snow dance.

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In one of those early '90s winters when the snow kept falling, I remember us kids riding our sleds right off the roof. What pure joy!

Back then, joy didn’t need a purpose. It just needed snow.

When was the last time you had some silly, playful, purposeless joy?

Have you ever watched children at play? Though they have moments of tug of war with toys and screaming matches about how to play, the majority of their play consists of pure joy and purposeless fun.

In other words, they play for the sake of play.

Not to see what they can accomplish.

Not to compare whose is better.

Not to make meaning.

Not to get good at something.

How many wooden block towers have you painstakingly built with a 2-year-old, only to have them demolish it with giddy joy as soon as you put the last piece up?

My son and nephew LOVED that game. I found it frustrating 🤯. After working so hard to build my creation, I would watch them destroy it without even allowing me time to admire it. (Is this a metaphor for adulthood?)

Ah to be that child again!

A friend of mine recently gifted me the most adorable teddy bear. I fell in love with it as soon as I took it out of the box. I named him Little Everett. He's my adventure bear (cause we both love adventure).

I'm 50 and though I've had stuffed animals over the course of my life, this was my FIRST teddy bear. I'm embarrassed to admit that I sleep with that bear. I talk to him and we even watch the stars together in the wee hours of the night.

When I'm really brave, I stuff him in my purse and take him places (he gets upset when I leave him out of adventures 🧸— can't say that I blame him).

Little Everett reminds me that I have an inner child to tend to. No matter how old you are, YOUR inner child is desperately wanting your attention. And believe me, children KNOW how to get attention, even if it's negative.

How might your inner child be trying to get your attention?

It may or may not be dramatic.

Sometimes it feels like a mini-tantrum, big feelings about small things.

It could be an urge for pure joy, creativity, or even comfort.

Maybe you act out old patterns, like sulking, people-pleasing, perfectionism, or not feeling good enough.

Many of our core ideas about the world, and ourselves, are formed before the age of eight — in other words, before we reach a logical stage of development.

Unfortunately, those ideas stick with us well into adulthood.

So, what can you do?

A lot actually.

If you're curious, here's an article that goes into more depth: Do you have a wounded inner child? Here are 7 key signs​

But for the sake of simplicity today, the idea is to nurture your inner child and play. Not as a solution, but as a remembering — that joy doesn’t need permission. Or productivity. Or a reason.

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Your journaling invitation 📒

If your inner child could ask for one small, playful thing right now — with no purpose attached — what would it be?

How might you offer it gently, without turning it into self-improvement?

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Your visualization invitation 👀

Writing is not everyone's cup of tea. Sometimes we just can't find the words to describe what we feel.

Instead, have you ever tried visualizations? (I LOVE them!)

You don’t need to be a visual person for this. You don’t need to write anything down, and it can be done anytime, anywhere.

The best part is that it's an excuse to slow down with a cup of tea and daydream the day away 💭.

If you’re open to it, try this:

Close your eyes for a moment, or soften your gaze. Take a few deep breaths and imagine a place that feels safe.

Perhaps a place from your childhood that you used to love. Or you can imagine whatever scene you want that is serene and playful.

This is a place YOUR inner child feels safe meeting you in. Consider it an invitation to your inner child to come out and play.

Where is this place? What does it look like? Smell like? Sound like?

As your inner child emerges, is she running, skipping, or shyly walking over to you? Is she beckoning you to play a game or to sit and read to her? What age is your inner child at this moment?

Imagine as many details as you can, but keep it light and playful, full of curiosity.

The best part about visualizations is that you can't do it wrong.

One time, just for fun, I imagined a whole world made up of every single candy and dessert I loved. I turned this candy land into a playground. There were chocolate fountains ⛲, marshmallow pillows, candy cane trees, and yes, you can lick them as you slide down! 🍭 There were vanilla and chocolate cupcake mountains to climb. There were pools of whipped cream, cotton candy clouds, and when it rained, rainbow sprinkles came down. You get the picture!

You might think this strange. Well, lots of people tell me I'm crazy. LOL. I don't care. You have to be just a little crazy to thrive in this absurd world! 🤪

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If you (and your inner child) don't mind sharing, I'd love to hear what you imagine.

With gently falling snow and lots of love,

Anna (and Little Everett 🧸)

P.S. If you need permission to play today, this is it. Go do one small, pointless thing just for the joy of it.

​aferalhousewife.com​