Starting to hear your inner child can be a complex and confusing process. We all have an inner child; you can recognize this as youthful dreams, innocence, playfulness, or a direct representation of who you once were. When you embrace your inner child, you can revisit lighter times when you were free and happy. Being in touch with this is an excellent way of handling life when it gets hard and helps you work through the pain instead of masking it.
Acknowledgement
The first step in healing your inner child is to acknowledge that you have one in the first place. You have to be open to the idea that you have work to do and that you don’t feel resistant. The process involves accepting things that caused you pain in your childhood. You’ll also have to understand that these things will have an impact on you, and it’s an emotional process to deal with. However, many people find it helpful and soothing, so it’s worth a try.
Color
Engaging in creativity is a great way to connect with your authentic self. It doesn’t matter if you stay in the lines (tons of adults can’t), and it doesn’t matter if it’s done well; it’s about how you feel. Many people loved coloring at a time in their lives when everything was carefree (or meant to be). So, try gravitating toward coloring and see if it speaks to you.
Listening
Another thing you’ll have to deal with is listening. To heal, you must listen to yourself and your feelings. It’s essential to pay attention to how you feel about the emotions that arise. You’re likely to experience the pain of old wounds, intense emotions, and often unexpected moments, such as anger over unmet needs, insecurity, or other feelings that stem from your inner pain.
Board Games
If your family used to play board games—or even if they didn’t—board games can still be a lot of fun. Even if you play by yourself, you can still enjoy the feeling of learning new skills, strategies, and spending time with yourself in peace. Not to mention, it’s a great way to relax your mind.
Triggers
When you begin to heal your inner child, you will also experience triggers. If you can’t identify your triggers, you’re going to face pain and emotional responses that may be overwhelming. However, if you start recognizing your body’s reactions, it can help you move forward, even though this isn’t an easy process.
Movies And Television
When we were kids, companies would air new original movies on their channels every month, and we’d beg our parents to stay up for the chance to watch them. As adults, we can revisit those shows and movies, feel nostalgia, and reconnect with a time when we were innocent and free of the cares we have now.
Setting Boundaries
As adults, we have control over how we respond to things and people. Choosing to be vulnerable with yourself and setting boundaries—ensuring you don’t scream, yell, or demand too much of others—is essential. It is suggested that the best thing to do is to find a therapist who can help you with your emotions and to journal, as it’s therapeutic.
Reading
Another great way to reconnect with your inner child is to read something you loved as a child, such as Winnie-the-Pooh, Matilda, or Curious George. The happiness you’ll experience can improve your mood and help initiate the connection process, as you may feel less resistant. Reading is also relaxing and another great way to quiet your thoughts.
Writing a Letter
To initiate the healing process, writing a letter to yourself may be a beneficial idea. Looking back on your childhood with the eyes of an adult can be enlightening and help you understand things you didn’t realize then. For example, a parent who used to scream all the time now makes you cringe at the sound of yelling, or a cousin who used to smash things now exhibits uncomfortable fidgeting or shies away from them. A letter can help soothe some of that pain.
Dress How You Want
Some adults never had the opportunity to discover their sense of style and still don’t know what it is. Was there ever a funky jacket you wanted as a kid but never got? Try to see if you can get it. Have you always wanted to try wearing a poofy skirt or hipster tops? Do it! Give yourself the freedom to wear whatever you want, and don’t let people tell you that, as a woman of a certain age, you shouldn’t.
Moving Through Pain
This process is not easy. It’s challenging and can be hurtful, but the benefit of doing this is that you get to see a whole new side of yourself that has been hidden. Letting that person out can make you a happier, healthier individual. Follow these tips for activities and strategies, and you should start to notice a positive change.
