The academic year is upon us. Some people started classes yesterday. Some start next week, and some (like me) start the week after that. After the next month or so, the academic year will be underway for just about everyone I know. We’ll be in the middle of lesson planning, meeting scheduling, and research ignoring. Even when we enjoy it, it will be serious work taking up most of our time.
That’s why, today, I think you should take $10 out of your wallet and go to a toy store. Wander the aisles. See what toys remain from your childhood and what has popped up since then. And after some meandering, choose something for yourself. It should not be a big deal. Just take that $10 and pick up something fun and silly. Some finger paints. A stuffed puppy. Silly putty. A Toy Story action figure. Pick up something that makes you smile.
Then, take it to your office and keep it there. Or keep it in your bag, in your car, or on your desk at home if you do not have a campus office. Throughout the semester, pick it up now and then. Hold it or even play with it. Do this when you are at your most stressed and need just two minutes of distraction. Do it when you are on track and happy and want to extend that feeling just a few minutes more before tacking that next project or answering that one email.
What did I get (because I never advise Profhacker readers to do anything I have not done myself)? A rainbow Koosh ball. Knowing me, I’ll pick it up and toss it back and forth when I’m thinking about how to answer a troubling email or reach a spot when I’m planning a day’s class and am not sure what to do next. One time, I splurged on an art kit filled with markers, water colors, and crayons. I would doodle on scratch paper now and then when I felt the need to slow down and relax a bit.
Go out. Do it. And come back to let us know in the comments what you picked up (I am dying to know if anyone will get Shrinky Dinks, which I almost picked up for myself). Get whatever you want that will lighten the seriousness of the semester when we are all in the middle of things in a few weeks.
Follow Profhacker through your favorite RSS reader: 
14 Responses to Visit a Toy Store for Yourself
richrobles - August 18, 2010 at 8:09 am
At one point in my career I was known for having a drawer full of silly toys. It included juggling balls, legos, inflatable hammers, rattlesnake in a can, and a Jesse Ventura action figure (when he ran for Minnesota governor in the late 90′s. I’ve moved on to M&M dispensers, which I pick up every December for the next calendar year.
kanem - August 18, 2010 at 8:23 am
Our group had a Dollar Store princess magic wand that made a wonderful tinkling sound when it was waved, and it came out to “blass” every impossible request that came our way.
fadecomic - August 18, 2010 at 9:16 am
[Comment deleted by editor. Please read the ProfHacker Commenting and Community Guidelines. Thanks!]
lkvamme - August 18, 2010 at 10:33 am
I bought a really huggable stuffed bunny with long floppy ears–in pink! I rarely buy anything in pink, but this bunny was irresistible. She makes everyone smile and everyone wants to hug her. I keep her on my desk but pop her in a bag when I have a serious meeting.
louisekraz - August 18, 2010 at 10:54 am
Don’t tell anyone but…Slinky Dog, an LGM, and Weezie from Toy Story; a bare-chested Jacob doll from Twilight; a stuffed baby vampire; a nun bowling kit; and an Alice in Wonderland blanket (Oh, I teach popular movies so this is all “research”!)
drnels - August 18, 2010 at 4:21 pm
Ha! These are fantastic! I should also add in my office that I have a Sparkle Beach Barbie, but I do have a Barbie day in my Intro to Gender Studies class, so it is a teaching tool. There’s also a Tinky Winky, an Edgar Allen Poe action figure (complete with raven to stick on his shoulder), and a few other things like crayons and the like. There’s a shelf where I keep them out in the open along with personal photos.
jmeloni - August 18, 2010 at 4:52 pm
As a c19 Americanist, I have that exact same Poe action figure.
drnels - August 18, 2010 at 5:30 pm
I also forgot about my Speed Racer in a Mach 5. You press Speed, and he says several different things. That sits on top of my printer. I couldn’t afford one as a kid, so I jumped on it when they came out with the last movie a couple of years ago.
hill210 - August 19, 2010 at 12:03 am
Some of the best advice from the Chronicle online…Ever! :)
drnels - August 19, 2010 at 1:29 pm
Thanks, hill210. There’s a lot of academic life that is serious, but I am a firm believer that we should enjoy every part of it we can so that hard stuff doesn’t feel so overwhelming. I have another post in the same vein as this one planned for next month, too.
hill210 - August 19, 2010 at 3:45 pm
I teach Criminal Justice, and I’ve kept a Magic 8-ball toy in my office for 11 years…as I use it in lectures on police discretion. And, I also keep a host of things to “cheer me up” as you suggested… Simpson’s Police Chief Wiggam toys, little police cars. Students/visitors to my office seem to just love it.
drewstowe - August 20, 2010 at 9:44 am
I tend to keep Play Doh around. If I have more than one, somebody is always wanting to play with it too.
drnels - August 20, 2010 at 2:08 pm
I’m one of the freaks who loved the smell of Play Doh. And I am thinking of getting some silly putty or something students can play with something when I’m reading a draft they brought in for review.
acampbell - August 25, 2010 at 4:47 pm
I have the Einstein action figure AND finger puppet and the Oscar Wilde action figure. Just today my newwest edition arrived, the Sherlock Holmes and Watson pocket dragon figurines – scavanged on ebay!