Out of the Box advice from Pippi and Astrid 4 learnings from Astrid Lindgren's life story

This girl was a big part of my childhood.

And I think, we can all agree: Pippi Longstocking really was “out of the box”.

Thanks for reading "Out of the Box" by Constanze! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support me and my work.

Read full article here

I was a more quiet and shy girl (I know, for those who know me now, this might come as a shock). But even I sometimes thought: how cool is Pippi’s life? She has her own house, a horse, a monkey, friends, doesn’t have to go to school, and just does whatever she wants.

Then I realized that I am actually afraid to be alone at home, and decided I’d rather watch her. But I did look up to her. Her courage, her joy, her autonomy.

Why am I talking about Pippi Longstocking?

I started reading Astrid Lindgren’s life story this week. It has been raining for basically the past five days since we arrived in Germany, and my first stop was to go to the local library. (Can you imagine I got a membership for a year for 10 Euros?)

But this is beside the point.

Astrid Lindgren’s story inspired me. And as I always try to take some learnings from each book I read, that could inspire my life today, I did the same here.

Let me share with you the 4 learnings I took out…

1. It is never too late.

Astrid Lindgren only started writing in her mid-thirties and got published with her first book (Pippi Longstocking) at the age of 38. The book had been declined twice before someone finally published it. But she didn’t give up. And it became one of the biggest children’s books ever written. I doubt any of you will not know her.

—> No matter where you are in your life, you can start now.

"I have never tried that before, so I think I should definitely be able to do that." Pippi Longstocking

The fun of keeping your inner child alive.

One of the most delightful aspects of Astrid Lindgren's story is how she kept her inner child alive.

Her children often mentioned that she was a fantastic children’s book author because she never lost the fun and joy of childhood. Her son even said that she probably had just as much fun as he did on the playground.

This spirit of playfulness and joy is something I've taken to heart. For my son’s baptism this year, I chose one of Astrid Lindgren's quotes:

"Dont' let them get you down. Be cheeky and wild and wonderful." Astrid Lindgren

It's a reminder to embrace the joy in life, to be playful, and to let our inner child flourish.

—> Always include some fun in your life.

The power of resilience and versatility.

Astrid Lindgren's story is a testament to the power of resilience and versatility.

The beginning of her journey was marked by hardship; she had a son from an affair with a married man, which forced her to leave her home and start anew. She faced the incredibly tough decision of leaving her son with someone else while she moved to Stockholm to earn a living as a low-paid secretary.

Yet, these challenging experiences equipped her with invaluable skills for the future. Astrid was never "just" a successful writer. She wore many hats, evolving from a secretary to a children's book editor, excelling in both roles. Her ability to adapt and thrive in different capacities is truly inspiring.

Takeout: think out of the box and create your own path to success.

The importance of focus and determination

Reading about Astrid Lindgren, it became clear how exceptional she was at focusing on the present moment. As a child, she immersed herself in reading and school. When she became a mother, her sole focus was on how to care for her son, making tough decisions that no mother should have to face.

Once her life settled, with two children and a sense of order, she maintained a disciplined schedule. Mornings were dedicated to writing children's books, afternoons to her work as a children's book editor. This structured approach allowed her to excel in both areas.

And she had a clear goal:

"If I have brightened up one single sad childhood, then I have at least accomplished something in life."

Looking at the above I then started reflecting on the learnings and what they could mean for me.

You can read my reflections in the full article on substack.

Read full article here

Keep thinking out of the box!

Constanze