The Inner child
As we grow, our bodies change, our faces age, and life leaves its imprints on us. But deep within, the child we once were remains—untouched by time, still vibrant, still longing for the moments that once brought us unfiltered joy. That child hasn’t disappeared; it’s just waiting, tucked away in the corners of our hearts, hoping for a chance to play again.
Think about the last time you saw a remote-controlled car zip past you or spotted a trampoline in someone’s backyard. Didn’t you feel the faintest tug, an urge to reach out and join the fun? Maybe you’ve found yourself absentmindedly blowing soap bubbles, hugging a teddy bear, or jumping in a puddle. In those fleeting moments, that playful side of you stretched its arms and came alive, even if just for a while.
Yet somewhere along the way, we learned to hush this part of ourselves, setting it aside in favor of responsibilities and expectations. Fear of judgment is one reason—the worry that our silliness or spontaneity might be seen as immaturity. But it’s not just that. As we grow older, life becomes a balancing act: deadlines to meet, bills to pay, relationships to nurture, and challenges to overcome. In the weight of these responsibilities, we often forget about the playful side of ourselves, treating it like a keepsake we no longer have time for. Still, that child doesn’t give up. It waits patiently, hopeful for a moment of freedom—a chance to laugh, to play, to feel life in its most uncomplicated form. Every now and then, it peeks through, yearning to be noticed, its quiet call almost drowned out by the noise of our daily lives.
When this part of us is ignored for too long, life begins to feel heavier, as if the colors of joy have faded, leaving behind only shades of monotony. But when we make space for it, even briefly, we rediscover a kind of joy that is pure and unfiltered—a joy that reminds us of who we truly are beneath the weight of expectations. These moments of freedom may be fleeting, but they are profound. They are lifelines, anchoring us to the essence of who we are, steadying us amidst the ever-shifting tides of adulthood.
Of course, keeping this part of us alive isn’t always easy. Life rarely allows us the luxury to entertain it fully in every situation. But perhaps that’s not the goal. The goal is to notice—to pay attention to its whispers, to give it space when it calls, and to let it simply be. Whether it’s a few minutes spent dancing alone, laughing uncontrollably with friends, or embracing a spontaneous moment, these experiences matter. They’re not indulgences; they’re necessities.
Some of life’s most beautiful moments happen when we embrace this freedom, whether in solitude or with someone who truly sees us—a best friend, a sibling, or a soulmate. In those moments, we laugh without restraint, let go of our masks, and live as we were meant to: joyfully, authentically, and unapologetically.
As I reflect on this, I find myself asking: Am I ready to notice those playful whispers, embrace the fleeting moments of joy, and let them remind me of who I truly am beneath the layers of expectations and responsibilities? Or will I continue to silence the child within, denying it the freedom to live, to laugh, to simply be?
