Let’s get real for a second: adulting is hard. Between paying bills, scheduling dentist appointments, and pretending you know what “interest rates” are, it’s easy to lose touch with the carefree, curious, and creative version of yourself. The inner child that felt your true ambitions in life before the world told you what you wanted. The child with passions and interests that are innocent and without care of social pressure. The child we will all grow from connecting with again.
Reconnecting with your inner child isn’t just a fun excuse to relive your glory days of lazy Sunday morning cartoons and hide-and-seek; it’s a deeply healing way to understand yourself, rediscover joy, and break through personal growth barriers. So, grab your favorite snack (preferably something sugary and nostalgic), and let’s talk about how to reconnect with your inner child and use that bond to grow into your best, most authentic self.
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How to Reconnect with Your Inner Child So You Can Grow
Guide to connecting with your inner child:
1. Remember What Used to Light You Up
Before taxes and endless emails, what made you happy? Was it drawing, dancing, building Lego castles, or making up elaborate stories about your action figures? Your childhood hobbies and passions hold clues about what sparks joy in your soul, even as an adult.
Take some time to reflect on the activities you loved as a kid and try to reintroduce them into your life. Maybe it’s joining a dance class, doodling in a sketchbook, or even just swinging on a swing set at the park (trust me, it’s more therapeutic than you think). Reconnecting with these simple pleasures can reignite creativity and remind you that life doesn’t always have to be so serious.
2. Talk to Your Inner Child (Yes, Out Loud)
Okay, this might feel a little weird at first, but hear me out. Your inner child is always there, carrying memories, feelings, and experiences that shaped who you are today. By consciously “talking” to them, you can start to heal old wounds, validate their feelings, and rebuild trust with yourself.
You don’t have to overthink it. Just imagine your younger self sitting across from you and ask questions like, “What do you need right now?” or “What made you feel loved and safe when you were little?” Then, listen—really listen—to the emotions and memories that come up.
Bonus points if you look through old photos or write a letter to your inner child. It’s like catching up with an old friend who really gets you because, well, they are you.
3. Let Yourself Be Silly
When was the last time you laughed so hard your stomach hurt? Or danced around your living room for no reason? As adults, we’re so conditioned to be “appropriate” and “put together” that we forget how freeing it is to be silly.
Let go of that need to be cool or polished and give yourself permission to play. Blow bubbles, try karaoke (even if you’re terrible), or wear a ridiculous outfit just because it makes you happy. Your inner child thrives on these moments of pure, unfiltered joy. Plus, it’s scientifically proven that laughter and play reduce stress—so really, this is self-care.
If you have anyone from your childhood you are still close with this is a great activity to do with them! I love reminiscing on funny memories and being carefree with my siblings (which I am so thankful to have such great relationships with them but it isn’t necessary for this step just extra fun!).
4. Revisit Childhood Favorites
Remember the books, movies, or games you couldn’t get enough of as a kid? Revisit them! Nostalgia has a way of tapping into the innocence and wonder of childhood. Watch that Disney movie you loved (no judgment if you sing every word), reread The Boxcar Children or The Babysitters Club (my fav), or play a round of Mario Kart.
This isn’t about escaping reality; it’s about rekindling the feelings of excitement, safety, and comfort that came with those childhood favorites. Sometimes, revisiting these things reminds us of a simpler time when our biggest worry was whether or not we’d get dessert after dinner.
5. Be Curious Again
Kids are naturally curious. They ask “why” a hundred times a day, not to be annoying (well, maybe a little), but because they’re genuinely fascinated by the world. Somewhere along the way, most of us stop asking “why” and start accepting things as they are.
Channel your inner child by embracing curiosity again. Ask questions, try new things, and let yourself wonder about the world. Ever wanted to learn how to bake bread, speak French, or paint watercolors? Do it! Curiosity is the gateway to growth, and it’s never too late to explore something new.
Don’t just assume things need to be a certain way. Let your inner child guide you towards more curiosity.
6. Forgive Yourself (and Others)
Here’s the tough one: your inner child might still be carrying hurt from past experiences—things that made you feel rejected, unloved, or not good enough. Reconnecting with your inner child means acknowledging those feelings and offering yourself compassion.
This doesn’t mean you have to excuse bad behavior or pretend it didn’t hurt. But by forgiving yourself and others, you free yourself from carrying those burdens. Imagine telling your younger self, “It wasn’t your fault,” or “You did the best you could.” It’s incredibly healing, and it creates space for you to move forward.
7. Set Boundaries Like a Boss
Remember when you were a kid, and if you didn’t want to do something, you’d just say “no” (or scream it, depending on your mood)? As adults, we tend to overcomplicate things, saying yes to things we don’t want to do and stretching ourselves way too thin.
Your inner child is the ultimate boundary-setter. They remind you that it’s okay to say no, to put yourself first, and to protect your energy. Practice setting boundaries, whether it’s declining an invite you’re not excited about or stepping away from toxic relationships. Your inner child will thank you for having their back.
8. Create Without Judging Yourself
When you were a kid, you probably made art, wrote stories, or built things just for fun—not to impress anyone or post it online. That kind of unfiltered creativity is so good for the soul, but as adults, we’re often too critical of ourselves to just make stuff.
Grab some markers, a journal, or a pile of Legos, and create something without worrying about the result. It doesn’t have to be good—it just has to be fun. Creativity is one of the easiest ways to connect with your inner child and let them know they’re still a vital part of who you are.
9. Spend Time in Nature
Remember running through sprinklers, climbing trees, or chasing butterflies as a kid? Nature was the ultimate playground, and it still has that magic—even if you’re not exactly swinging from the monkey bars anymore.
Go for a hike, sit by a lake, or just walk barefoot in the grass. Being in nature has a way of grounding us and reconnecting us with that childlike sense of awe and wonder. Bonus: it’s also a great way to unplug from adult responsibilities (and doomscrolling).
10. Give Yourself Permission to Dream Big
Kids don’t limit themselves when it comes to dreaming. They want to be astronauts, inventors, and superheroes—and they fully believe they can make it happen. Somewhere along the way, we start telling ourselves to be “realistic,” and those big dreams shrink.
Reconnecting with your inner child means giving yourself permission to dream big again. What’s something you’ve always wanted to do but felt was “too much”? Write it down, say it out loud, and start taking small steps toward it. Your inner child will be cheering you on.
11. Practice Self-Compassion
Here’s a truth bomb: you’re doing the best you can. Just like your younger self needed love and encouragement, your adult self does too. Reconnecting with your inner child means treating yourself with the same kindness you’d offer a little kid who’s trying their best.
When you mess up, remind yourself that it’s okay. When you’re feeling overwhelmed, take a break. And when you do something awesome, celebrate like your inner child would—with ice cream, balloons, or a happy dance.
Now let’s wrap it up-
Reconnecting with your inner child isn’t just about revisiting the past—it’s about embracing the parts of yourself that you might have forgotten or ignored. It’s about finding joy, healing old wounds, and giving yourself permission to play, dream, and grow.
So, take time this week to check in with your inner child. Laugh a little louder, color outside the lines, and remember what it feels like to just be. Because when you reconnect with the little you, you unlock a world of growth, healing, and unfiltered happiness. And honestly, who couldn’t use a little more of that?
Korra-Shay
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