Reconnecting to your inner child
Photography by Danielle Ann Rose @bydanielleannrose
Somewhere along the way to adulthood, we’re taught that being grown-up means being serious, that “play” is only for children, and joy is something we have to earn after hard work. But what if feeling more alive, more present, and more yourself comes from carrying forward the parts of you that always knew how to wonder, create, and feel joy… your inner child
The version of you who found fun in simple things, who asked questions, created freely, and felt deeply. That part of you never disappeared; it just got quieter as responsibilities, expectations, and the pressures of life took over
But here's the truth: we all need play, we all need joy, and we’re allowed to choose it, even now
When we ignore our inner child, we often find ourselves stuck in cycles of stress, burnout, and disconnection. We become overly self-critical, we stop imagining, we forget how to rest, and how to create without needing it to be “productive”
Here are a few ways to reconnect to your inner child:
Remind you who you were before the world told you who to be
Heal emotional wounds that started in childhood
Bring back a sense of wonder and lightness
Make life feel more meaningful, fun, and free
Remind you who you were before the world told you who to be. As we grow up, we're shaped by expectations, family, school, culture, and society. Somewhere along the way, we often lose touch with our authentic selves. Reconnecting with your inner child helps you remember who you were before the pressure to be "good," "successful," or "perfect." It brings you back to your natural inclinations, what you loved, how you expressed yourself, and what made you feel truly alive. This reflection can spark clarity, creativity, and a deeper understanding of what actually matters to you
Heal emotional wounds that started in childhood. Many of our adult patterns, people-pleasing, perfectionism, and fear of abandonment, stem from unmet needs or painful experiences in childhood. Reconnecting with your inner child allows you to acknowledge those old wounds and offer yourself the care, safety, and compassion you may not have received at the time. It’s not about blaming the past, but about offering healing in the present. Inner child work can be a powerful part of emotional growth, helping you rewrite the story you've been unconsciously carrying
Bring back a sense of wonder and lightness. Children naturally find joy in the smallest things: a bug on the sidewalk, a cloud shaped like a dinosaur, a silly song. That openness to joy and sense of awe still lives within you. Reconnecting with your inner child helps you slow down and see the world through fresh eyes again. It invites you to release the weight of constant responsibility and let in lightness, laughter, and the magic of the present moment
Make life feel more meaningful, fun, and free. Adulthood can sometimes feel like a to-do list on repeat. But when you prioritise joy, play, and creativity, things your inner child naturally gravitates toward, you reconnect with what makes life worth living. Whether it’s dancing in your kitchen, painting just for fun, or saying yes to a spontaneous adventure, these moments of play don’t just lighten your mood, they infuse your life with meaning and authenticity. They help you remember that freedom isn’t always about escape, it’s about expression
You might not realise it, but your inner child might already be trying to get your attention. Maybe you:
Feel drawn to nostalgic movies, music, or old hobbies
Catch yourself daydreaming about a simpler time
Struggle to feel joy, creativity, or rest
Often feel overwhelmed or too "serious" without knowing why
These nudges are your inner child whispering, “I’m still here”
You don’t need to turn your life upside down to start honouring your inner child. Here are simple ways to begin:
Do something just for fun. Paint, dance, roller skate, climb a tree, build a fort, anything that has no purpose other than joy
Revisit old passions. What did you love doing as a kid? Try it again. Your soul remembers
Speak kindly to yourself. Your inner child is still listening. Trade harsh self-talk for gentle encouragement
Embrace play. Skip instead of walking or sing along to your favourite songs in the car, without worrying if anyone can see you. Joy doesn’t have to be polished
Spend time around animals. They remind us how to be present and how to love without conditions
We often wait for permission to rest, to laugh, to play. But adulthood doesn’t mean the end of wonder. If anything, we need it more than ever. Choosing joy isn’t immature, it’s healing. It reconnects you to your essence, to your wholeness
You are allowed to be responsible and lighthearted. To carry both your past and your playfulness. To feel deeply and laugh freely. That child inside of you is still there, waiting to be seen, heard, and held
So go ahead, colour outside the lines. Dance barefoot. Sing off-key. Be weird. Be joyful. Be you, because joy isn’t just a reward. It’s your right
