What lights you up?
It’s so easy to feel beat at the end of the day. As adults, we try to be good functional samples out there. And sometimes the fun part often gets neglected when working so hard on our adult to-do list.
Maybe you used to love painting, writing stories, dancing around your room, or simply watching the clouds pass by…I used to wait in front of the tv for the MTV top 10 to sing along and do the dances before my dad arrived for the news channel. That was so liberating! haha But now all we do is scroll our phones whole day, so depleting.
Let me tell you this - around 2022, I was in that headspace of feeling so disconnected from myself, pretty dull I’d say. I had a hard time remembering things I liked to do, or fun memories from my childhood. How was that girl like? I couldn’t remember.
I learned about Inner Child healing through the work of the Brazilian holistic therapist, Anna Loreiro - who is one of the few that I know of in this field that focus on inner child healing on an energetic and spiritual perspective. Her guidance is powerful yet so gentle. Through her work, I achieved this amazing breakthrough that I’ve been carrying with me ‘til this day. And her teachings are part of the first things I check in my toolkit when I notice the spark fading.
Reconnecting with your Inner Child (because they know what’s good)
One of the most powerful ways to reignite your spark is by listening to your inner child. That younger version of you wasn’t afraid to explore, play, or express joy freely. They didn’t worry about productivity or what others thought, they just followed whatever made their heart feel alive. How many sticks were magical wands? How many potions were made from backyard leaves?
While I do suggest a guided work if you need a hand in reconnecting with your inner child or if you want to go deeper, there are few ideas that you can implement to get acquainted again with that powerful part of you:
Think back to what you loved as a child. What activities made you lose track of time? What did you daydream about?
Create just for the sake of it. Grab some crayons, doodle, or dance in your kitchen. Let go of the need for it to “be good” or “perfect” and just enjoy the process. Beginner’s mind, let’s embrace that.
Be unapologetically curious. Try something new, even if it feels silly. Sign up for a pottery class, explore a new part of your city, or learn a skill you’ve always been intrigued by. When was the last time you tried something new?
Making space for joy as a busy adult
You don’t have to sacrifice joy for the sake of a full checked to-do-list. The key is weaving it into your routine in small, intentional ways.
Start with 5-10 minutes. You don’t need hours of free time to reconnect with what lights you up. Set aside just a few minutes each day for something that brings you joy. For me, it’s doodling.
Romanticize the little things. Play your favorite music while cooking or cleaning the house, take a different route home just to explore, or wear something that makes you feel good just because.
Say yes to fun. When was the last time you did something purely for enjoyment? Give yourself permission to say yes to play, spontaneity, and delight.
Your spark is still there. You just have to fan the flame
You don’t have to overhaul your life to feel more connected to yourself. You just have to start noticing the little things that bring you joy. Let yourself be playful, curious, and excited again! The version of you that once felt fully alive is still here, waiting for you to remember.
Get off your phone for a bit and go play with your plants, your pets, your people. Dance in the room even if it feels silly, sing in the shower, paint, sketch, play, build, read, bike, explore!
Over here, I’ve been playing with oil pastels and watercolor lately. Only this time I don’t eat the crayons lol
So I’ll leave you with this journal prompt:
What’s one small thing that lights you up? And how can you invite more of it into your life today?
Let’s go have some fun! See ya in the playground,
- Manu
