Inner child

I have a theory that part of what people love about decorating for the holidays is it’s a chance for us as adults to let out our inner child. We get to assemble our little Christmas villages, put train tracks around the base of the tree, cover everything in lights and ornaments, and bake sugary treats. Playing make believe, being creative, and giving into the urge for sugar. Who didn’t love these activities as a kid? 

Whether you were a child who was encouraged to express yourself or a child who was stifled, there’s good news: you can still engage with and (if need be) heal your inner child as an adult. One study looked at older people and how their inner child affects their lives. Those who incorporated the childlike things they enjoy into their lives had an easier time turning negative experiences into positive ones. 

We all need a sense of wonder in our lives. 

So, how do you work on getting to know your inner child? Start by asking yourself, “What did little me do when I had nothing but time? What did I want to do?” 

This answer may not come easily. I’ve always been a pretty serious person. I’m quick to joke, but in my own head, I spend a lot of time thinking and contemplating. So, I had to think about this for a few days before the revelations started coming to me. For the life of me, I couldn’t picture me having fun. I’ve always tended to do things with an objective in mind, which inherently strips some of the fun out of it. But after a few days of mulling it over, I had an arsenal of ideas. Now, I try to incorporate some of that into my life every day to make sure I’m showing up for my inner child. 

The good news is that now is the perfect time of year to explore what makes you happy. If you loved going out and playing with your friends, the holidays offer lots of opportunities to hang out and be silly with friends. You can decorate whatever you want in your house. You can try a wild new recipe. You can experiment with a new craft or hobby. If you are around kids this year, try joining in with their games. There’s nothing like a quick game of make believe to get you out of your rational, thinking mind. 

The key is to give yourself permission to do this stuff without judgment. So what if other people don’t enjoy the same activities as you? You didn’t care about those opinions when you were young until someone called attention to it. I think we all have at least one memory of something we truly loved and thought was so special, only to have it ridiculed by someone else, tarnishing the shine for ourselves. 

This week, the 1% Better challenge is to tap into your inner child and create an inner judgment-free zone to let your imagination run wild. If you need ideas, look around you. What seems fun?

With gratitude,

Natalie