Three Easy Ways to Care for Your Inner Child and Feel Happy

Having my hand licked by a goat. I never thought I’d ever write those words together, but there you go; this world continues to astonish me.

This picture was taken on a cold December Sunday morning. It struck me how happy I looked when I reviewed the picture. It was the best morning I had in years. I laughed like a kid all morning.

See, the last few months have been full of ‘adults’: tax returns, email marketing campaigns, paying bills, etc. This photo served as a good reminder for me. This picture served as a reminder to me that within this beard life coach and, of course, you and everyone else, there is an inner child that craves the good stuff. Love, Connection Adventure, Fun, and Creativity.

Today, I’m going to show you three simple ways to make yourself happier and care for your inner child.

Speak Kindly to Yourself

I’m such a fool. Why can’t you do anything right? You are not perfect. There will be times when you make mistakes. It’s cool. It’s not cool to criticize and call someone an idiot.

As a child, you may have been criticized despite your best attempts by a teacher or parent. It hurt. You’re inviting these feelings back by verbally attacking yourself. Please forgive yourself completely and quickly. Smile and let go. Life will continue.

Never deny the opportunity to connect with others.

When I was growing up, I spent a lot of time in South France. When I was 11 years old, one hot summer night, I had an interesting thought after observing that all children were integrating despite language barriers.

I concluded that children “get” it. Children listen to the part of themselves that wants love and connection. They know they can achieve this by making new friends and having the courage to ask a stranger to play with them.

You still have this longing inside you.

Start a conversation with someone you are sitting next to on the train about what they’re reading. Be curious. Good morning to anyone you pass on the street. It hurts to deny ourselves human contact.

Enjoy the experiences that your inner child would love.

After yesterday’s animal park experience, I asked myself, “What else would my inner child love?” I wanted to go karting as a kid, so this will be my 2017 goal.

Why not rediscover a passion from your childhood? Maybe it was swimming, drawing, or poetry. You don’t have to wait until you reach adulthood to indulge in your childhood passions.