An Adultitis Fighter is someone who rallies against rules that don’t exist and engages in ruthless, senseless acts of silliness that undermine Adultitis and its unadventurous version of adulthood. Once a month, we shine a light upon the most remarkable among us, holding them up as a dazzling example of what we should strive for in this epic battle against a formidable enemy.
We had the good fortune of working with Mike Baugher during the planning of a recent speaking event and quickly realized that he was a guy of great intention. As he shares in his tips below, “Smile on purpose.” This perfectly summarizes how Mike lives… choosing to smile, laugh, play, and stay young-at-heart on purpose. Although “Adultitis” was a new term for him, the idea of staying fun and enjoying life was not a foreign concept by any means. We enjoyed collaborating with him creatively for his event. It was refreshing to see him take our theme and integrate it into the space and overall theme for his attendees. I know you’ll enjoy meeting and learning from Mike as much as we have!
In recognition of their efforts, Adultitis Fighters of the Month receive a special mini-canvas hand-painted by Jason, along with a certificate of honor, a sweet patch, and other Adultitis-Fighting tools. We asked Mike some questions about how he fights the Big A and what advice he has for others…
What are some of your favorite ways to fight Adultitis?
One of my favorite ways to fight adultitis is by watching stand-up comedy. A good comedian can help me see the absurdity in things we often take so seriously. Laughter is critical if we’re ever going to win the adultitis war.
I’m fortunate to work from home and can take frequent work breaks to play with my dog. She is a feisty 15-year old Chihuahua mix who loves attention, and playing with her washes away every bit of stress for those few moments.
I also love to be outdoors. Nothing re-energizes like fresh air, sunshine, and a gentle breeze.
Who or what has been the greatest influence in your own fight against Adultitis?
Honestly, until Jason pointed it out, I didn’t even realize Adultitis was a thing. I just thought it was the inevitable result of growing up. He has helped me find my creativity again and to realize that life can be fun, even when you’re “old.”
What is something you loved doing as a child that you still do in some form today?
I still play with cars… I had dozens of Hot Wheels as a kid, and when I grew up, the toys just got bigger. While I don’t currently own a vintage vehicle, I have owned 20 or so in the past 25 years, and my dad currently owns four. He taught me the importance of play. We frequently turn wrenches together and share stories we’ve both heard many times before. I also built scale model cars as a kid and when time permits, still enjoy that creative outlet.
What is your strategy for dealing with people who are obviously infected with Adultitis?
RUN!! And when that’s not an option, I focus on making them laugh, or at least at ease…
What advice do you have for someone who is feeling overwhelmed by Adultitis?
Slow down. Not everything is an emergency, or a crisis, or even your problem. Step away from social media conflict, which is so easy to get caught up in. Look for the beauty in the ordinary. Hold a door open for someone, say hello, smile on purpose. We’re all in this together.
Congrats to Mike Baugher, June 2019 Adultitis Fighter of the Month. Thank you for making the world more awesome!