I could be wrong and I'm just one tiny voice among many, but I truly believe that these cropped up more often when we were younger because we had to do what we were told to do.

These days, who can really tell you do anything? And I don't mean your S.O. telling you to do the dishes, I mean someone telling you to turn out the lights and go to sleep. Someone telling you that you can't have dessert tonight. Someone telling you that next week you're going to swim lessons, and yes you will get up on time and eat the breakfast I put in front of you and you will do it.

Part of it is doing things you wouldn't normally do, or have the motivation to do...the other half, I think, is self control. You can really let go and let a lot of life happen to you if you know someone else is keeping the train on the tracks for you.

Why worry about the way that tonight feels, smells, tastes, or sounds if you're so worried about bills, what to make for dinner tomorrow, what you're getting your friend as a wedding present that fits in your budget but doesn't make you seem too cheap, losing ten pounds, saving for your vacation.

We spend so much time occupying ourselves with entertainment and pointless endeavor (hello, reddit!) that we don't leave ourselves time to worry about interpersonal relationships, going for a walk with no shoes on, or which type of ice cream we want later.

It's nice to have time to really think about things - and not just look up what other people on the internet tell us we should think about those things. Despite your post here (my intention was definitely not to criticize you specifically. I'm here too!) you're obviously on the right path. Good luck!