5 Ways We Can Honour & Heal Our Inner Child

The responsibilities that come with being an adult and having to look after ourselves after spending 18 years, more or less, being nurtured is a stressful time in all of our lives. We finally have that all-important independence but it’s not what it’s made out to be. They say school years are the best years of our life but we don’t realize this until it’s too late. We take childhood for granted - were all guilty of it. We wish our younger years away by longing for freedom that once we have, we don’t know what to do with. Sometimes all we need is to release our inner child that’s been hidden away and forgotten about.

Here are ways we can all honor and heal our inner child:

#1. A trip to Neverland 

Think back to when you were little. Is there a special place that you always wanted to go to but never got round to going? Seize the day and honor your inner child by finally giving them that opportunity. As an adult, we see just how much planning goes into a trip and so now I understand why my parents never got round to taking me to Disneyland! It’s time to tick that one special place off the bucket list and make our childhood dreams a reality.

#2. Flipping through the photos 

Unfortunately for most of us, stress comes hand in hand with adulthood. Remember the time the only worry we had was whether we’d have someone to play barbie and an action man with? Reminiscing over these times by looking through old photo albums is the perfect way of healing our inner child. Laughing over the embarrassing hair cut we had. Mourning the family member no longer with us. And telling our mum exactly what we thought of those hideous wooly tights. Every photo is a memory of a time spent with family and friends that got us where we are today. 

#3. Spending quality time with little ones 

If you’re lucky enough to have younger siblings, cousins, children, etc… around you then make the most of your time with them. Spending time with them will naturally bring out your inner child. Seeing their little carefree faces will remind you of how good it feels to be happy and how equally important this is an adult. Our happiness plays a big role in our mental well-being and should be our priority. Embrace every trip to the park, every ice cream that has melted onto your top and every day you’ve done the things that make you feel as happy as you were when you were a child.

#4. A rainy day movie marathon 

Stuck for something to do on a rainy day? Spend the day curled up on the sofa watching a favorite childhood movie. No movie day is complete without pj’s, popcorn and a bag of pick ’n’ mix. It’s important to give the mind and body the right amount of rest it needs. Relax the mind whilst honoring your inner child. Take yourself back to a time you’d waste the day away by watching movie after movie. Grab the popcorn, sweets and fizzy drinks and have a childhood movie marathon.

#5. Keeping hold of Teddy 

Many of us grew an emotional attachment to an item that was given to us as a child, for example, a teddy, blanket, etc. Mine was ‘Little Lamby.’ Original I know! Hold on to these items as the sentimental value is irreplaceable. These items were a comfort to us as children and will be a comfort us as adults. The fact we’re no longer children doesn’t mean we shouldn’t seek happiness from the same thing that gave us happiness through childhood. Don’t let society's expectations pressurize you into doing something you’re not ready to do.

Next up, Why Going On A GIRLS Holiday Is Good For You