This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by 沈富猷
The Emergence of "Reverse Growing Up": Adults Reclaiming Their Inner Child
On university campuses worldwide, students can be seen carrying stuffed animals between classes. In corporate offices, young professionals sip from baby bottles without concern for judgment. On desks everywhere, "ugly cute" Labubu figures and intricate Lego sets have become cherished companions. A cultural phenomenon of "reverse growing up" is quietly taking root among adults. The popular internet phrase "What elementary schoolers find childish is perfect for adults" might appear as mere frivolity, but it actually represents a sophisticated form of psychological self-care and inner nourishment among today's youth.
From Adult Performance to Authentic Self: A Journey of Psychological Compensation
Many of us spent our formative years yearning to don more somber clothing and project an image of "dignity and stability" as we hurried toward adulthood. However, after entering society and shouldering various responsibilities, a significant number of people have begun seeking psychological balance and compensation. The preference for cute toys and cartoon characters often represents a gentle acknowledgment and compensatory satisfaction for one's "inner child."
Through interaction with these toys, adults can find a degree of comfort for the companionship, support, and carefree joys they may not have fully experienced during childhood. The emotional resonance behind Labubu's distinctive design precisely stems from its ability to provide emotional value that transcends material possessions—these companions don't judge or pressure; they simply offer reliable emotional anchorage in our fast-paced lives.
Beyond the Label of Immaturity: The Wisdom of Embracing "Useless" Pleasures
On a deeper level, this trend reflects a shift in life perspectives among contemporary young people: moving from purely pursuing "usefulness" to beginning to cherish the pleasures of "uselessness." Assembling complex Lego models or collecting favorite blind box series don't directly generate practical value, yet the process delivers significant mental relaxation, flow experiences, and creative satisfaction.
This is far from immaturity; rather, it represents an intentional choice in lifestyle. It demonstrates courage—the willingness to cast aside the "adult masks" society imposes and approach life with greater authenticity and vitality. Many young parents illustrate this beautifully: when they play alongside their children, they're not just nurturing the next generation's growth—they're also "re-experiencing" childhood themselves, preserving both their own and their children's innocence in a more inclusive and joyful manner.
"Adults' affection for toys isn't a rejection of growing up, but a pursuit of wholeness," explains Zhou Wenxiu, a national-level psychological counselor based in Huangpu, Shanghai. "It reminds us that a healthy society should allow its members to maintain inner innocence and tenderness while fulfilling their responsibilities. Learning to actively seek joy and nurture one's spirit amidst life's struggles isn't immaturity—it's a more enlightened and self-caring wisdom for modern individuals."
This cultural shift suggests that as society becomes increasingly complex and demanding, adults are finding healthy ways to reclaim parts of themselves that conventional maturity might have suppressed. Rather than being a regression, embracing childhood elements represents a more holistic approach to adulthood—one that acknowledges the need for play, comfort, and authentic self-expression even as we navigate professional responsibilities and adult obligations.
This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by 沈富猷
沈富猷 | Sciencx (2025-10-20T07:22:03+00:00) “反向成长”风潮兴起：小学生嫌弃的，对于成年人刚刚好？-心理中国-中国网. Retrieved from https://www.scien.cx/2025/10/20/%e5%8f%8d%e5%90%91%e6%88%90%e9%95%bf%e9%a3%8e%e6%bd%ae%e5%85%b4%e8%b5%b7%ef%bc%9a%e5%b0%8f%e5%ad%a6%e7%94%9f%e5%ab%8c%e5%bc%83%e7%9a%84%ef%bc%8c%e5%af%b9%e4%ba%8e%e6%88%90%e5%b9%b4/
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