Last month Julie of Les Petits Pas de Juls showed us what it’s like to drop everything, go absorb every ounce of life, and make your own way. In my monthly series, The Life Enthusiast Chronicles, gorgeous human beings from all over talk about what makes them excited to be alive.
Today I’m so happy to bring you guys this lovely gal I know all the way in Dubai, Zen from Zen Scribbles. Zen has been one of my faves for a long time. When I read her posts, it’s like seeing life for the first time. With her delightful views on books, chocolate, and more reading, and more dessert, her sweetness remains with you long after you’ve left her blog.
That kind of youthful joie de vivre is exactly why I asked Zen to be a Life Enthusiast.
Like others before me, I want to thank Britt for this opportunity. I’m actually quite honoured; I never thought – looking back at all Life Enthusiasts before me – that I could fit the bill, so this makes me happy.
It also made me realise that this is very difficult, haha.
Though I’ve always been one to take pleasure in the little things in life, I feel I haven’t really started “living” until I finally left the nest a few months ago.
In the Middle East, girls typically have to live with their parents until they are married, and mine were especially firm about that. It took quite a lot of effort and persuasion, but I was finally able to convince them to let me go, and so began quite a new adventure.
In some aspects I am more of an adult now; I have my own place, I stress about bills and get buried under huge piles of work.
You would argue that, since I’m 26, I am already a fully-fledged adult, but I still feel like that teenager sitting between her best friends on graduation day, awkwardly accepting her diploma from the headmaster and darting off before her parents could even snap a picture.
Even now that we all have our careers and our responsibilities, when we all get together we are still able to have the same childish fun we had when we were younger, spending hours over a board game, watching cartoons and eating more sweets than our bodies can handle. I’m a very nostalgic person, and this whole formula suits me just fine, allowing me to relive the past with all the perks of being an adult.
I think it’s really important never to lose sight of the child in you, and to continue enjoying the things that made you happy in that innocent phase of your life.
Though my tastes have developed over the years, I still squeal with delight when I hit the candy aisle of any store – especially now that there’s no one to tell me I only get to “pick one”, haha – and I cannot hide my joy when I step into a patisserie, often failing to control myself and my wallet in face of all the sugary goodies.
I still enjoy animated movies most of all… and cry during almost every single one of them, even on the fourth or fifth watch.
I still snuggle my stuffed bunny when I sleep.
An avid reader, I still allow myself to indulge in the innocence and simplicity of a good children’s novel. I still love “looking at the pictures.”
I laugh easily, I cry easily, my foodie buds still crave the childhood comfort of mac & cheese… and at the end of the day, when I’m feeling particularly down, a scoop of ice-cream can cheer me right up.
I may not have everything figured out, but at least I know, I will never grow up to be a person who doesn’t delight in the simple things in life.
And when a toy store clerk asks me if I want Toothless wrapped up as a gift, I’ll firmly say, “No, thank you. This is actually mine.”
Britt Skrabanek 
“I think it’s really important never to lose sight of the child in you, and to continue enjoying the things you enjoyed in that innocent phase of your life.”
A lot of truth in this! Thanks for sharing!
Wasn’t that an awesome quote, Stan?! Zen’s brill.
I’m glad you agree! 😀
Pokemon monopoly; now that’s got to be fun! Glad you are enjoying your independence and being who you want to be at this moment. Britt, love the new look on your header. Totally gorgeous.
Agreed! Gallivanta, we’ll have to play Pokemon Monopoly in front of a totem pole some day…epic blog post there!
Thank you. Needed a new look! 🙂
The Pokemon monopoly was such a lot of fun! Sadly I keep losing. 😦
I am very good at losing games. If you played with me, you would be a winner. 😀
I agree–holding onto the child in us is important. Children see things differently, whereas adults tend to get all serious. It’s good to have a lighter side that’s just looking for a bit of fun.
Great post. Loved the ending. And like you, a patisserie will challenge my self-control!
Oh, I meant to tell you, Britt, I love the new header. Very classy!
Thanks, love! I meant to do a big website reveal, but er…I got my blog scheduling mixed up a bit this week. Oh, well. Surprise!
Exactly! Almost all the adults in my life are all-business-and-no-fun. I vowed to myself that I will never grow up to be like them. In the battles between me and patisseries, the patisserie always wins. xD
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LOVE the new look Britt 🙂 Great to meet you Zen, your wide-eyed enthusiasm for life really comes through, you sound like you’re relishing independence while still appreciating the comforting things of life.
Thanks, doll! Feels like a fresh start for spring and summer. Zen’s awesome, so I’m very happy to introduce the two of you to each other.
Aww, thanks, Andrea! And it’s nice of you to say that. I do try to make the best of the little things. 🙂
🙂 Yep, you brought yet another smile on our faces today, both of you guys, Britt for introducing us to Zen, and Zen for being such a doll and so delightful in every word and every action you take and talk about!
I follow you on everything! Simply and beautifully magical! Being you, listening to the child in you, relishing in what brings you happiness in those simple yet meaningful moments.
Board games, chocolate, books and friends!! Nothing beats that! Specially when you’re a grown up who can enjoy each and everyone of them as much as you want!
Cheers! Happy everything! Enjoy it all!
Sweet, Juls! So glad to introduce Zen into your own lovely world.
Yay – I’m glad the post made you smile! That’s what I hoped to get out of it. 😀 And thank you for your comment; it’s really really sweet and I really really appreciate it!
Happy everything indeed!
I love this post, Zen! I’m still smiling and thinking of my inner child. Thank you for this feeling and remembering the joys of childhood. No matter what the age, if the child in you lives joy can’t be far behind. And thank you Britt for all you do to my life!
Dannie, you made me cry with your sweet comment. Thank you. And, right back at ya!
Aw, thanks! No matter what happens, that young Dannie in you must never fade away, otherwise you become a grouchy old person who yells at kids to get off their lawn, haha.
My MIL bought Toothless for herself. I want him too!
Good for her! He’s so adorable – I love the little growling noises he makes. 😀
Reblogged this on Zen Scribbles and commented:
The lovely Britt was kind enough to host me on her blog recently! It was nice to talk about the things that make me tick – namely sweets – and the little Zen inside me that I refuse to ever let go. 🙂
Zen – you are wonderful! (and I love jelly beans as well) xxx
Thanks so much Britt for these chronicles. Fantastic 😀
Sure thing, Dianne! I’m still waiting impatiently for your blogging return. Ahem…
Me too!
Thanks, Dianne! And I would like to echo Britt and say that I’m waiting for your return too!
Zen never lose your zing, I love all those things you mention here and I am fifty. I still love reading children’s novels and picture books. My son thinks jelly beans are the best ever too! Thanks for sharing your wonderful world. You say you may not have it all figured out but even when we age we rarely get there. So enjoy the process.
Children novels are so underrated! I often get weird looks when seen in the children’s section in a bookshop, and it’s so unfair. 😦 And that’s actually comforting to hear, thanks! xD
I collect them, the ones that inspire me and one day I will have my own picture book to share and I hope the young, the not-so-young and the old, love it just as much.
We can’t wait for your picture book, Kath! I’m sure it will be absolutely awesome. 🙂
[…] of you were here the other day for Zen’s Life Enthusiast post, and you commented on the new look. Thank you all for your sweet […]