Harry Potter was a banned book in my home, primarily due to the black magic in the book.
As a kid, I never questioned it, but as I got older I noticed looks of sadness and shock for not being able to read these books.
So I’m doing it now as a 28-year-old.
And I can easily say that these books transport you into a magical world that’s not only fun and interesting but also touches on some real experiences of loss, friendship, betrayal, and navigating difficult emotions.
So what does reading Harry Potter have to do with anxiety relief?
Well, it’s not exactly a tool that will provide you with immediate anxiety relief, but it is a reminder of how important it can be to embrace your inner child and embrace doing fun things simply for the sake of it.
What is Your Inner Child?
Your inner child is the part of you that expresses your creativity, joy, innocence, and vulnerability.
We all have one.
It’s the part of you that feels things deeply and allows you to experience life with wonder and awe.
Unfortunately, many of us grow up disconnected from our inner child. We might bottle up our emotions or try to suppress them because we don’t want to feel vulnerable.
Or we might push ourselves too hard and try to be perfect all the time because we’re afraid of making mistakes.
Disconnecting from our inner child can lead to anxiety, depression, and several interpersonal relationship issues because we’re not allowing ourselves to experience the full range of human emotions.
A Wounded Inner Child
We might disconnect from our inner child if we’ve been wounded or hurt emotionally, either through trauma or neglect.
If you experienced abuse, abandonment, or any kind of trauma as a child, your inner child is likely wounded.
And when your inner child is wounded, it can be difficult to live a full and happy life as an adult.
You might find yourself struggling with anxiety, depression, or addiction.
Or you might have difficulty sustaining healthy relationships because you don’t know how to express your emotions healthily.
If you’re not sure whether or not your inner child is wounded, here are some signs to look out for:
-You have a hard time expressing your emotions
-You tend to bottle up your emotions or stuff them down with food, alcohol, or drugs
-You’re perfectionistic and have a hard time accepting yourself for who you are
-You find it difficult to trust people
-You often feel like something is missing in your life
-You have a hard time having fun or enjoying life
-You tend to be attracted to unhealthy relationships
If you’ve experienced childhood trauma or have a wounded inner child, consider working with a mental health professional to better help you know what’s going on and what the best plan of action might be for you.
Benefits of Embracing Your Inner Child
In addition to therapy and/or external mental health support, consider looking for ways to embrace your inner child.
This can give you autonomy in learning how to better integrate your adult experiences with what happened in your childhood.
It might sound daunting at first, but there are many benefits to reconnecting with your inner child.
Some benefits of reconnecting with your inner child include:
– improved mental and emotional well-being
– increased creativity and playfulness
– improved relationships
– increased self-awareness
– improved physical health
When we learn to embrace our whole selves, including our inner child, we can live more authentic and fulfilling lives.
And while there’s no one right way to do this, here are 10 ways that you can start to embrace your inner child:
10 Ways to Embrace Your Inner Child
1. Permit yourself to play.
One of the best things you can do for your inner child is to allow yourself to play. This can look like anything from taking a dance class to painting to playing with your pet.
Do something that makes you feel joyful and carefree, without stressing about whether or not it’s productive.
When we allow ourselves to play, we give our inner child the attention and care that it needs and wants to feel safe and cared for.
2. Get in touch with your feelings.
If you’re used to stuffing down your emotions, it can be tough to get in touch with them. But it’s so important to allow yourself to feel your feelings, even if they’re difficult.
One way to do this is to keep a journal and write about how you’re feeling each day. You can also express your emotions through art, music, or movement.
Consider trying out this daily Mindfulness Journal that takes just a couple minutes to complete each day.
3. Spend time in nature.
There’s something about being in nature that can help us feel more connected to ourselves and the world around us.
Make it a point to spend time outside, even if it’s just for a few minutes each day. Take a walk in the park, sit under a tree, or lie in the grass and look at the clouds. You could even do a nature meditation or try out this mindful walking meditation next time you go to the park.
4. Reconnect with your senses.
When was the last time you really stopped to smell the flowers or savor a delicious meal?
One way to reconnect with your inner child is to take the time to really experience the world around you through your senses.
Stop and smell the roses, taste your food, feel the wind on your skin.
Consider trying a mindful eating meditation where you use all your senses to consume your food.
5. Be accepting of yourself.
One of the best things you can do for your inner child is to learn to accept yourself, flaws and all.
This can be a challenge if you’re used to being hard on yourself, but it’s so important. Start by practicing self-compassion and giving yourself some grace. You could also use positive affirmations to help you get started.
Need some inspiration on positive affirmations you can start using regularly? Check out my Instagram where I post weekly affirmations every Monday or download right now these FREE 120 Positive Affirmations you can start using today!
6. Be curious.
When was the last time you allowed yourself to be curious?
As adults, we often get so caught up in our day-to-day lives that we forget to explore and be curious about the world around us.
One way to connect with your inner child is to start exploring and learning again. Take a new exercise class, read about a topic that interests you, or go on an adventure.
7. Ditch perfectionism.
If you’re a perfectionist, it can be tough to let go of your need for things to be just right. But this can be harmful to your inner child.
When we strive for perfectionism, we’re often trying to meet an unrealistic standard that’s based on our fears and insecurities. This can lead to feelings of shame, inadequacy, and disappointment.
Instead of striving for perfection, focus on progress. Give yourself credit for the effort you put in and the progress you make, even if it’s not perfect.
8. Laugh more.
Laughter is one of the best medicines, and it’s also great for your inner child. When was the last time you let yourself belly laugh?
Make it a point to laugh more often, even if it’s just at yourself. Watch comedies, read funny books, and spend time with people who make you laugh.
You might try a laughing yoga or meditation class for a different and unique experience.
9. Be present.
It can be tough to be fully present in the moment, especially when we’re used to living in our heads all the time.
One way to connect with your inner child is to start practicing mindfulness and focus on the present moment.
Try a mindfulness meditation where you focus on your breath and simply observe your thoughts as they come and go.
Notice what shows up for you during the meditation. If you notice recurring themes or patterns, it could be a sign that your inner child is trying to tell you something.
Here’s just a short One Minute Meditation practice to get you started!
10. Give yourself some love.
Last but not least, one of the best things you can do for your inner child is to give yourself some love.
This can look like anything from taking yourself on a date to writing yourself a love letter to taking a relaxing bath.
I also love tapping into this feeling using loving-kindness meditations.
Do something that makes you feel loved, special, and cared for. Because you deserve it.
Learning how to love yourself is one of the best gifts you can give to your inner child.
