Reflecting on Your Childhood

Have you recently listened to your inner child's voice? This voice yearns for freedom, adventure, and creativity without purpose.

Take a moment to ponder:

• Do you wander without a specific goal?
• Do you create simply for the joy of it?
• Do you engage with others without self-judgment or concern for their opinions?

What activities brought you joy as a child? Can you recall moments where time slipped away? Was there someone you felt safe expressing your true self around?

Have you buried those desires under the weight of adult obligations? Your childhood may have been tumultuous or tranquil, but we all find ways to cope with challenges. However, the survivor we cultivate is not our authentic self.

My genuine self wasn’t the one who sat quietly through tedious classes, engaging in polite conversation. My true self was the dreamer, eagerly awaiting the chance to break free.

It’s Never Too Late to Reconnect

If you feel disconnected from your joyful inner child, observe the moments when they shine through. When you are in nature and feel that sense of timelessness and freedom, that’s your inner child reaching out.

Make space for this connection. Have you abandoned a hobby due to time constraints or modern life's pressures? Can you reintroduce it into your routine? Perhaps you could sketch during your commute instead of scrolling through endless screens.

Allow yourself to play. Engage in activities that bring you joy. Daydream and prioritize these moments. If your inner critic claims you’re wasting time, remind yourself that these pursuits are vital for your well-being—they are essential to the human experience.

As a child, you naturally carved out time for creativity, play, and stillness. These are not trivial pursuits; they are crucial sources of energy, inspiration, and fulfillment.

Restoring Passion and Inner Peace

When the critical voices arise, kindly acknowledge their concern and continue with what brings you joy. Who were you before the world shaped you? Who could you become if you welcomed that person back into your life?

The answers to these queries could profoundly alter your present, just as reconnecting with my younger selves has transformed mine. Your authentic self is still present, eager to be rediscovered—it may just need your permission to re-enter your life.

You might have formed a convenient, albeit uncomfortable, alliance with your current self—one that thrived amidst challenges. Reconnecting with the younger aspects of yourself will not undermine your achievements; instead, it will enhance them while restoring a sense of freedom, joy, and peace—essential elements for the life you’ve always yearned to lead.