Connect with your inner child

We were all children once. Remember the time when you were happy for no reason as a child. It was because you loved yourself as you were, without inhibitions. Somewhere along the way, we learnt that we needed a reason to be happy. There stopped our ability to be happy without a reason.

Connecting with the child that you once were will help in connecting with the joy of living, the joy of being who you are.

You can try this exercise to connect with that child within you. Find a quiet spot and sit very comfortably. Take a few deep breaths. Think back to your childhood and find yourself a happy memory. You may have enjoyed sport, found that you were happiest when a parent or a loved one hugged you. Go back to that time and see that child that you were – happy; loved by yourself. Now, imagine the person that you are in this time reaching out to that child and playing with him/her. Give that child a big hug and look into those eyes. You will see the joy that you had in your heart. You will see the love that you had for yourself. When you are ready, say bye to that child and come back to your life as it is now, knowing that the child you once were always lives within you.

Reconnect with your inner child. Watch a movie, enjoy eating pop-corn, skip instead of walking, do something just to make you happy. Notice how this will change the way you look at yourself. It helps to release self-criticism, any judgement that you have for yourself. You will feel lighter and peaceful.