10 Things People Only Buy Because They Still Want To Impress Their Younger Selves
Edslan Silva | Pexels We're always just trying to help our younger selves. That's what happy people do to honor their inner children and heal.
But there are also so many things people only buy because they still want to impress their younger selves. Sometimes, these are a dream come true, but other times, they're things that bring a little joy and whimsy.
People only buy these things to impress their younger selves
1. Treats they weren't allowed at the store
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There's something empowering about having money as an adult and not having to run purchases by anyone. Some people invest in their skincare or clothing, but someone trying to impress their inner child is buying anything they weren't allowed as kids.
It's name-brand cereal or donuts from the grocery store. It's like a prolonged act of defiance, even if that really only means buying treats or snacks in the junk food aisle their parents never allowed them to have.
2. Fast food
For all the kids who only ever heard "we have food at home" when asking for fast food, buying it whenever they want in adulthood feels like a huge flex. It might seem small to someone who grew up on it or something they avoid completely, but to these adult children, it's a treat.
Yes, it's not healthy for a person or their bank account to order and eat fast food all the time, but as a little treat for someone's inner child, why not?
Depending on someone's upbringing, the same might be true for healthy foods. They desperately want to have healthy foods at home, because their parents never had the money or wanted to buy them as kids.
3. Business class tickets
Many kids grew up with parents who were frugal all the time. There might have even been something noble about taking the difficult route and dealing with discomfort.
It taught them resilience as kids, but as adults with disposable income to spend on convenience and comfort, they feel like they're impressing their young selves by investing in it.
Whether that's lounge access or fancy cars with extra comfortable seats, they're always looking out for their younger self who gawked at the people with these extravagant things.
4. Name-brand clothes
Many kids who grew up in poverty or with overly frugal parents spent a lot of time and energy wishing for small things like name-brand clothing or a specific backpack everyone else seemed to have at school. They may have even fixated on it, believing that if they had that one thing, everything would be better.
While it's clear that having the money to buy these things as adults isn't going to solve all their problems, it can be healing. Nobody else will realize the significance of the Adidas sneakers or the luxury jacket, but their inner child is certainly impressed.
5. Expensive toys or games
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Many kids, especially those with parents who didn't have a lot of disposable income to spend, dream about having the newest gaming device or a specific name-brand toy. They wished they had an Xbox or PlayStation, or Legos that were completely out of their parents' price range.
Whether they're collecting them or actually using them now, so many adult children are investing in these things solely to impress the younger version of themselves. It's a childhood dream realized.
6. Their dream car
Many people buying their childhood self's dream car aren't doing it for attention and validation. They're honoring a childhood dream and trying to impress that little version of themselves who had no money, but wild dreams.
Instead of responding harshly or shutting down those dreams, these people honor their wishes. Even if the car isn't necessarily practical, sometimes doing things for the sole purpose of being compassionate to your inner child is better for your well-being than you realize.
For everyone, that's not going to be buying a car, let alone their childhood self's dream car. But it might be buying a specific snack from the grocery store or perusing HomeGoods for artwork their parents would never agree to.
7. Expensive office and art supplies
Many kids grew up annoyed that they were on a budget while shopping for back-to-school clothes and materials. While they might not be going back to school as adults, they still find an excuse to splurge for their professional office.
Things like brand-name notebooks or a fresh box of art supplies are the things most people buy without thinking twice, but someone trying to impress their inner child spends extra time picking them out.
8. Vinyl records and CDs
Especially for Gen Xers who spent years of their lives begging their parents to buy them their favorite artist's music, this is a special one. Yes, music is healing and rejuvenating on its own, but there's something special about buying something your childhood self dreamed of.
Even if they don't have a record player at home or rarely listen to CDs anymore, simply having these things in their possession feels like a win.
9. Coloring books
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In frugal homes, many creative kids went without the art supplies and toys they really wanted. Whether it was crayons or a bedazzling kit, buying and using these things as an adult is more profound than it might seem.
Arguably, adults need these kinds of creative hobbies even more than kids. Specifically with coloring books, these are the hobbies that help people process their emotions and regulate stress levels. It's for their younger self first, but it's also an investment in their current well-being.
10. Toy trains and planes
Even if they're commuting on public transportation and actually using trains in their adult lives, many still invest in toy versions to satisfy their inner child. They're somewhat therapeutic, not only as a realized childhood dream, but as a way to mindfully enjoy something without the pressure of adult expectations and productivity.
It's something so many adults still create space for in their homes, whether they're playing with them alone or inviting their own kids into their childhood dream.
Zayda Slabbekoorn is a senior editorial strategist with a bachelor's degree in social relations & policy and gender studies who focuses on psychology, relationships, self-help, and human interest stories.
