- When's the last time you had crazy amounts of fun?
- Would you consider yourself spontaneous or structured?
- Do you censor yourself or speak from your heart?
- How often do you indulge your curiosity or let your creative juices flow?
Most of us take our "adulting" very seriously. But, like, too seriously. As if the responsibilities of career and family, and the reality of bills, means that life shouldn't also be a technicolor dreamworld of unicorns, rainbows, lollipops and ferris wheels. As if recess is reserved for the schoolyards of our youth and getting lost in our imagination is irresponsible. It seems as if the older we get, the more we lose our playful innocence, gain a bunch of insecurities, and start judging everyone and everything. We label people and stop playing nice, as if Kumbayah is strictly for kids toasting marshmallows around the campfire.
Have you ever wondered who kidnapped your inner-child? Or how she ended up sequestered behind fear, inhibitions, and to-do lists? What happened to your giddiness, insatiable curiosity and crazy imagination? Or your uncensored self-expression and fearless sense of adventure? What happened to your desire to take on new hobbies or explore new ideas? I think these are important questions to ask ourselves because, yes, there's a time for responsibility and pragmatism, but there's also a time to let loose and have fun without all the anxiety and guilt. Our spirit needs that balance. It needs pleasure, freedom, beauty, creativity, sensuality, playtime and self-expression. After all, life is meant to be lived fully; not merely survived. Right?
Liberating your inner-child is about playfulness, joy, and laughing 'til you nearly pee your pants. It's about skipping down the street 'cause you want to. Or singing a completely made up song at the top of your lungs. Or spinning 'round and 'round in circles until dizziness tumbles you to the ground. Liberating your inner-child is to expose the most vulnerable parts of your soul; freeing yourself from the awkwardness and discomfort of your own persona. It's about following your impulses before they’re thwarted by self-doubt. It’s about emotional honesty and expressing your needs and feelings without shame. It's about quieting the critical voice; knowing that your thoughts, ideas and opinions are valid and deserve to be heard. It's about honest communication and genuine connection. It's a willingness to see people for their character instead of through the lens of labels. And above all, it's about living a life of wholeness and authenticity.
Indie Girl Diary: writing prompt
If I liberated my inner-child she would:
Indie Girl-Talk: let's chat!
Tell us where your inner-child been hiding and how you plan to rescue her.
