How-To

Embracing Your Inner Child: Tips for a Happier You

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Embracing Your Inner Child

What’s your favorite childhood memory? Mine is doodling without a care in the world. There’s something about our innocence that’s refreshing to recall. The joy from something as simple as a coloring book or getting lost in a whimsical story. Embracing your inner child is essential for our well-being, as it fosters creativity, gives us the healing we need, and reignites a sense of wonder.

What is Your Inner Child?

Your inner child represents the childlike aspect of your personality. It encompasses:

  • Original thoughts and feelings from childhood
  • Memories of joy and creativity
  • Innocence and playfulness that may have faded over time

Engaging in child work allows you to reconnect with this essence, helping you embrace your inner child and heal from past trauma.

a blonde girl looking at herself in a floor mirror

Why is it Important to Connect with Your Inner Child?

Connecting with your inner child is crucial for emotional well-being. Benefits include:

  • Fostering self-compassion
  • Enhancing creativity
  • Providing a safe space for emotional expression

Nurturing this relationship cultivates a sense of playfulness and joy in your adult life.

Signs You Might Be Neglecting Your Inner Child

Many people neglect their inner child without realizing it. Here are some signs:

  1. Feeling overly serious in everyday life
  2. Lacking spontaneity or playfulness
  3. Difficulty expressing emotions
  4. Feeling disconnected from your creative side

Recognizing these signs is not a cause for alarm but a call to action. It’s the first step towards rekindling that essential connection and allowing joy to flourish again. 

It’s a step towards healing from childhood wounds and finding balance throughout adulthood.

woman wearing a hoodie crying with her face on her hands in front of a broken mirror


5 Tips for Embracing Your Inner Child

Here are some simple yet effective tips on how to embrace your inner child:

1. Rediscover Childhood Hobbies and Activities

Think back to what you loved doing as a child. Was it drawing, coloring, playing an instrument, or building with blocks?

  • Make a list of your favorite childhood activities.
  • Dedicate time each week to engage in one of them.
  • Invite friends or family to join for added fun.

2. Spend Time in Nature

Nature has a beautiful way of bringing out our playful side. Try these ideas on how to reconnect with your inner child:

  • Go for a walk in the park or along the beach.
  • Collect leaves, rocks, or flowers to create a nature collage.
  • Have a picnic and enjoy the simple pleasures of being outdoors.

3. Allow Yourself to Play and Be Silly

Give yourself permission to be playful. Here’s how:

  • Try out a new game, whether a board game or a video game.
  • Dance around your living room to your favorite songs.
  • Wear something fun or silly just for the joy of it.

4. Practice Mindfulness and Meditation

Mindfulness can be a powerful tool for healing your inner child. Consider these practices:

  • Take a few minutes each day for meditation. Focus on your breath and let your thoughts settle.
  • Use guided meditation specifically designed for inner child work.
  • Reflect on your feelings during these moments and embrace them without judgment.
Here's my favorite from Yoga with Kassandra:



5. Surround Yourself with Positive Influences

The people you spend time with can significantly impact your mental health.

  • Seek out friends who uplift and inspire you.
  • Engage in communities that encourage creativity and playfulness.
  • Limit exposure to negativity—taking a step back from toxic relationships is okay.

Embracing your inner child can lead to profound healing and joy.

woman with earphones smiling while coloring a book


Benefits of Embracing Your Inner Child

What happens when you reconnect with your inner child? It can bring many benefits that enhance your life in many ways.

1. Increased Happiness and Well-Being

When you reconnect with your inner child, you often rediscover the joy in simple things. Benefits include:

  • A lighter heart and more laughter in your life.
  • Greater appreciation for everyday moments.
  • A more optimistic outlook on life.

2. Improved Creativity and Problem-Solving Skills

Tapping into that childlike wonder can spark fresh ideas.

3. Reduced Stress and Anxiety

Engaging with your inner child can be a great stress reliever.

  • Playful activities can shift your focus away from worries.
  • Mindfulness practices help ground you in the present moment.
  • Silly moments can alleviate tension and lighten your mood.

4. Stronger Relationships with Others

When you embrace your inner child, you become more relatable and open.

  • Increased empathy and understanding in your interactions.
  • More authentic connections as you share your playful side.
  • Improved communication, as you express your true feelings.

5. Greater Sense of Self-Acceptance and Love

Learning to love your inner child can lead to profound personal growth.

  • Self-compassion flourishes as you embrace your past experiences.
  • Acceptance of your flaws becomes easier, allowing for personal growth.
  • A deeper sense of worthiness fosters a loving relationship with yourself.

Embracing your inner child is a beautiful journey filled with healing and joy.

woman embracing her daughter on the couch


Introducing My Coloring Books for Kids!

Coloring is a delightful way for the young ones and “young once” to reconnect with their inner child.

I’m excited to announce that I’ve started publishing coloring books on Amazon under Tales N Doodles.

My collection of coloring books is designed to spark creativity and create lasting memories.

Here’s a brief overview of each book and what makes them unique.

1. 30 Cute Jungle Animals Coloring Book for Kids

This coloring book has adorable jungle animals to ignite your child’s imagination. Features include:

  • Educational Content: Each page showcases cute jungle animals whose names are listed alphabetically.
  • No Bleed-Through: Single-sided pages prevent colors from smudging, allowing kids to color worry-free.
  • Perfect for Little Hands: Measuring 8.5 x 8.5 inches, it’s just the right size for small hands.

30 Cute Jungle Animals Coloring Book for Kids book cover

30 Cute Jungle Animals Coloring Book for Kids pages


2. Cute Baby Farm Animals Coloring Book for Kids

Unleash your little one’s creativity with this charming book filled with baby farm animals.

  • Educational Elements: Every page features a cute farm animal with its name, plus a handy reference for their baby names.
  • Single-Sided Printing: No more concerns about color bleed-through, ensuring a clean coloring experience.
  • Ideal Size: Designed for tiny hands, this book is also 8.5 x 8.5 inches and printed on premium paper.

Cute Baby Farm Animals Coloring Book for Kids cover

Cute Baby Farm Animals Coloring Book for Kids pages


3. Cute Happy ABC Animals Coloring Book for Kids

This fun-filled book introduces kids to various creatures while learning the alphabet. Key features include:

  • Educational Focus: Each page combines a happy animal with the first letter of its name, making learning enjoyable.
  • No Bleed-Through: Thoughtfully designed with single-sided printing for a smooth coloring experience.
  • Perfect Dimensions: It’s also 8.5 x 8.5 inches, great for little hands, and printed on premium white paper.

Cute Happy ABC Animals Coloring Book for Kids cover

Cute Happy ABC Animals Coloring Book for Kids pages

The Joy of Coloring

Coloring provides a fun and beneficial way to connect with your inner child. It allows you to:

  • Express Creativity: Coloring fosters imagination and offers a joyful escape from daily stress.
  • Relax and Unwind: This playful activity can help you feel more centered and calmer.

Bonding with Children

These coloring books are perfect for bonding with children.

  • Create Lasting Memories: Spend quality time together, coloring and laughing.
  • Encourage Learning: Use the educational aspects to teach kids about animals and the alphabet in a fun way.
  • Share Joyful Moments: Coloring together can lead to conversations, storytelling, and shared creativity.

Embracing Your Inner Child

The benefits of reconnecting with that playful spirit and the enjoyable activities can help you navigate adulthood. From healing your childhood wounds to finding joy in coloring, each step leads to increased happiness, creativity, and stronger relationships. So grab some coloring books, spend time outdoors, and allow yourself to play and be silly. Remember, life is meant to be enjoyed, so let your playful side shine brightly.

Coming Soon: More Coloring Books from Me

I have created more coloring pages for kids and adults – especially for my fellow book lovers. Follow Tales N Doodles on Amazon for all the latest updates!

What other scenes or subjects would you like to color? Your ideas will inspire my next coloring book project.


woman's hand doodling a cat with intricate lines


Disclaimer

This blog post is intended for informational purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. While I have drawn from research and personal experience, it's important to remember that everyone's journey is unique. If you are experiencing mental health issues, please seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional.

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15 comments

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  1. Hi, Lux!

    This is a wonderful post, dear friend! Getting in touch with your inner child is an important exercise too often neglected. Far too many people today are poisoning themselves with the venom of chronic anger and hate. Coming from those toxic emotions on a daily basis, month after month and year after year, takes a devastating toll, physically as well as mentally. Each and every day, I find myriad small things that delight me and take me back to childhood. The journey can be triggered by a sight, sound, smell or tangible touch. Being around dogs and other animals, playing with them and petting them, always takes me back.

    I congratulate you on rolling out your collection of coloring books. Holding a real paper stock book in your hands instead of a phone, kindle reader or iPad, feeling the book's mass and texture, seeing the full size images and their bright colors, smelling the aroma of ink and crayon, hearing the sound of the page as it turns - all of these sensations induce a "learning trance" in a child (or adult). They have a calming effect and generate pleasure, satisfaction and a happier mood.

    No one needed to coax us to play when we were little. Make time for play every day. Imagine that there is no such thing as work - only play. By utilizing your reframing skills, you can turn work into play. Try it and see what happens.

    I will be officially returning to the blog world with a new post of my own next Thursday, September 5, and invite you to join the fun at Shady's Place Music & Memories. Until then, have a safe and happy weekend, dear friend Lux!

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  2. This is excellent life advice.

    Good luck with your coloring books!

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  3. Embracing our inner child brings so much joy and creativity back into our lives. Love the reminder to reconnect with those simple pleasures!
    https://purelifegem.com/

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  4. Ah this is important to retain throughout adulthood. It is sad that we lose this aspect to our personalities. Also it can be hard for people who had difficult or abusive childhoods. Love all the useful and in-depth information here. Great post!

    Allie of
    www.allienyc.com

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  5. Embracing our inner child is such a beautiful way to bring joy and creativity back into our lives.
    I love your ideas, especially rediscovering childhood hobbies and allowing ourselves to be playful.
    Your coloring books sound perfect for sparking creativity in both kids and adults!

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  6. Those are some really cute colouring books

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  7. Those are wonderful tips! I'm pretty old but I haven't lost track of my inner child yet!

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  8. Love it. Thank you.
    www.rsrue.blogspot.com

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  9. Hello I also come to visit you for a moment and I had to laugh a bit at one point too because you wrote on my blogspot that you won't be able to do mandalas. But if you can draw or color like you shared here then you can do this too. I left a comment there but don't know if you can receive this. The words as you wrote and I quote what you wrote. The joy of something as simple as a coloring book can bring out your inner child. I very often embrace my inner child and you can already read that if you read my poems or stories once e.g. the rash child or Rain Dance. I am older than you but the child remains and is always inside me. 😉 Your writing found i also very good and like it too.

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  10. Wonderful, dear friend. My problem is that my inner child is an imbecile. I will try to embrace the guy anyway. :)

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  11. Great post with some wonderful ideas! I love this point in my life when I reflect on my childhood memories with family.

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  12. Such relevant information. Thank you, Lux.
    I have been thinking lately (as a therapist, and personally) about inner child work, so these tips help me stay on that track. I also have stuffed animals that I crush with loving, especially through tough times.
    Be well.

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  13. Wonderful post with so many great suggestions! I love being out in nature!

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  14. Inner child work is so important- thank you for bringing some light to this!

    Congrats on launching more coloring books!

    -Ashley
    Le Stylo Rouge

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