Embracing Your Inner Child

There’s something magical about watching children play. Their laughter rings out like music, their curiosity knows no bounds, and their ability to live fully in the moment is nothing short of inspiring.  I know this well because I’m blessed with two granddaughters—Elowyn and Kiera. These girls have become my greatest teachers when it comes to remembering the joy of my own inner child. 

When I’m with them, I’m reminded to loosen up, to color outside the lines (always), and to let play be the priority. They’ve shown me that curiosity is a superpower, creativity is our birthright, and getting a little messy is a sign of a day well lived.

Children don’t ask for permission to be themselves—they just are. And when I watch Elowyn and Kiera, I realize how deeply my own inner child longs for that same freedom. And we all have an inner child; she’s still there, tucked beneath the layers of responsibility, to-do lists, and “shoulds”. She longs for your attention, your love, and your permission to come out and play. So how do we embrace and love this precious part of ourselves?

Here are a few ways I’ve learned to reconnect:

Be Curious Again

It’s far too easy as an adult to let your curiosity fall by the wayside. To encourage you curiosity though, all you need to do is let yourself wonder. Ask questions. Explore without judgment. Curiosity is the spark of discovery, and it opens doors your adult mind may have closed. 

Get Creative Without Rules

Remember finger painting? Building forts out of blankets? Drawing a picture simply because you felt like it? Give yourself space to create with no agenda. Don’t worry if it’s “good”—Children don’t ask if their art is “good”—they just enjoy making it. Give yourself that same permission.

Say Yes to Play

Play is not just for kids! We all benefit from the mental, emotional, and cognitive effects of play. Whether it’s dancing in your kitchen, blowing bubbles, or hopping on a swing set—give yourself permission to play. Play isn’t frivolous—it’s medicine that can relieve stress and enhance your creativity and problem-solving abilities while also restoring joy and lightening the heart.

Get Messy

Children don’t fear mess—they embrace it. Let yourself cook without following a recipe, garden with dirt under your nails, or dive into a project without knowing how it ends. Life is meant to be experienced, not perfected.

Speak Kindly to Your Inner Child

So many of us carry wounds from when we were little. Try talking to your inner child as you would to Elowyn or Kiera—with gentleness, encouragement, and love. You would not speak cruelly to the young people you’ve encountered in your own life, and so, you should treat your own inner child with the same respect. Tell her she is loved and safe. Tell her she is already good enough.The more we embrace our inner child, the more alive, joyful, and whole we feel.  My granddaughters remind me that life isn’t meant to be lived so seriously—it’s meant to be savored and explored, and yes—it can get a little messy. This week, I invite you to check in with your own inner child. What does she need from you right now? A little play? A little kindness? Maybe just a reminder that she is still seen. When you embrace her, you’ll find she has gifts for you too: joy, lightness, and the pure magic of being alive.