Reconnecting with the Kid in You

Last evening I met my childhood friends after a long time.
The plan was simple — chill, drink a little, catch up.

But you know how these things go.

Everyone showed up with stress on their shoulders.
Work, relationships, money, life.
We said we’re meeting to loosen up, but most of the conversation was about what’s weighing us down.

It made me think:

When you’re with your childhood gang,
you’re not supposed to carry your adult identity in the room.
You're supposed to drop it.

You’re not the startup guy.
They’re not the manager, husband, or dad.
You’re just kids again.
Stupid jokes, dumb laughs, no boundaries.

But somewhere along the way, even that space got infiltrated by "what we do" and "what's stressing us out."

And alcohol just stretches the gap.
You’re buzzed, they’re venting, no one’s really free.
It’s like we all came to reset, but left a little more tired.

Here’s what I’m starting to believe:

You don’t need alcohol to connect.
You don’t need deep convos to feel close.
You just need to reconnect with who you were before the world told you who to be.

That’s where the real healing is.

So from now on, when I catch up with old friends
I’m not bringing stress to the table.
I’m bringing that 12-year-old version of me who used to laugh for no reason.

Maybe that’s the reset we’re all looking for.

P.S. This letter isn’t advice.
It’s just something I felt after yesterday.
We’ve all changed. Maybe how we spend time together should change, too.
One of my close friends from the States is in town, so we’re catching up again next weekend.
Let’s see if we can bring the kid back this time.

Your loving friend
Chay | Mindsemble