I’ve been a fan of Kim and Jason Kotecki for a few years now. When I first stumbled upon their website I was drawn in by their pictures…they seemed like a couple that had a special connection and looked like they had a tremendous amount of fun. As I read on, I came to realize they also had a special mission: to cure Adultitis, which according to the website, is a serious (and common) condition that afflicts many stressed, overworked individuals “between the ages of 21 – 121.”
Amazingly, I had my own realization about how cool it was to have child-like qualities when I was doing an exercise in my improv class in 1995. I remember the exercise well. We all carved out some space on the floor and acted like three year-olds crawling on our knees. After spending my workday juggling deadlines at my stressful job, it felt like therapy. I think that is why I identify so strongly with Kim and Jason and what they are about.
So it was great to sit down and read Kim and Jason Kotecki’s latest book, There’s An Adult in My Soup, which is filled with fun and humorous ways to take life a little less seriously. Though the book is a quick read with short chapters, it’s filled with important nuggets of wisdom.
At the start of the book we are given a great definition of a grown-up (as provided by their friend Michael Scott Karpovich): “A grown up is someone who is done growing.” Scary thought, huh?
In the chapter called “Silly Ideas,” we learn of a 45 year-old man who built a tree house for no particular reason other than to have a quick “getaway.” When reading more about this man and his motivations, I came to realize the idea to build the tree house was not so silly. It was brilliant!
In “You are in Perpetual Beta Mode,” we learn that it is best that we rid ourselves of our perfectionist tendencies and realize that all of us are really works-in-progress. I could not agree more.
In “Second Childhood,” we are encouraged to treat every day as an opportunity to make the best of our second childhood. Whether or not we have a good first childhood, we have the opportunity for a childhood do-over every day.
There are some common elements of Adultitis: chronic busy-ness, stress and a lack of curiosity and imagination. Thankfully, Kim and Jason provide numerous humorous stories, suggestions and examples of people (young and young alike) who are antidotes to this serious condition…and they do it in a fun, humorous manner.
What’s great is their ability to find great lessons from such a wide range of sources: from Erma Bomback to Curious George to Jim Henson to the “ordinary” people they meet in their daily lives.
Okay, I’ll stop sounding like a commercial now. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and invite you to pick it up if you’re feeling “old” or in need of a pick-me-up.
How about you…are you feeling old or a case of Adultitis coming on?
Feel free to check out Kim and Jason Kotecki’s Escape Adulthood site for daily doses of anti-Adultitis and the opportunity to pick up your copy. For a full explanation of Adultitis and its treatment, click here.
