Creativity is a human trait that isn’t reserved for just artists. It’s a value that can be indispensable to every occupation, hobby or circumstance. It drives innovation, identifies opportunities, creates space for more fulfilling work.
But it doesn’t come from a singular source—there is no end-all and be-all answer to how, and where you can find or rekindle your creative drive. However, there are a few suggestions to nudge you in the right direction. One of them being the rising topic of the inner child.
What is the Inner Child?
The inner child is an old psychological concept that has been catching traction in recent years. It is the part of ourselves that has been with us since birth, and it holds the thoughts, memories, feelings and dreams we had harboured. This concept particularly refers to the psychological states experienced during childhood, that can continue to influence behaviour up until and past adulthood.
It represents innocence, vulnerability—and more relevantly, it reflects the wonder and bewilderment to the world that the naive have.
The Connection between the Inner Child and Creativity
Try to recall what the world felt like when you were a child. To many, a child’s reality was one where impossibilities were mere road bumps, and the most quotidian things had the potential to be vessels for something greater. Kids often play pretend—imaginative games are simply what kids engaged in. They spent most of their time in their own worlds, and therefore the rules of reality did not apply to them. It’s an environment perfect for creativity.
Why Have Many Lost Connection with Their Inner Child?
Worry plagues most adults. Taking risks is scary when you’re in constant fear of what others may think of you, but this pessimistic thinking can dwindle creativity and suppress that inner child of yours.
When you spend most of your time worrying about the “what ifs” of what you want to make, you stun lock your projects in a box of your own creation, before you can even start. As you grow and see more things, the pressures of mankind can get to you, and no one can blame anyone for it. Individualism is praised but people who truly diverge are shamed—and this can scare many away from expression or trying new things out. But letting the words of others get you down is self-sabotage, so ignore the angry and as long as you aren’t hurting anyone—do as you may.
But there are a few other reasons to the disconnection to your inner child, namely unresolved trauma—which advice on should be taken by professionals and not some writer. Don’t be afraid to reach out for help, there are resources for you out there!
How to Reconnect to Our Inner Child
We’ve established the importance of our inner child to creativity in adulthood. So, how do we tap into the past self that resides in us?
Gift your Inner Child
Was there anything you wanted to do or have as a kid, but were denied it? Well, guess what—no one can stop you now. This isn’t necessarily a big gesture, but the child inside of you won’t complain. Whether it be ice cream for breakfast or an old video game, spoil yourself the way younger you would have wanted.
Break Routine
This could be a drastic change or something simple, like driving on new routes or buying coffee from a shop you’ve never been to. Seeing, doing, tasting and feeling the same things everyday can make life feel banal—so try something new, and perhaps you’ll find enjoyment in it! Give your inner child the opportunity to experience new positives.
Give into Nostalgia
Is there song, movie or game you grew up with? Explore and reconnect to things that the kid in you positively associated with, and maybe you’ll recall the things you had once felt or thought. This also gives you the opportunity to revisit memories, good and bad, and to hopefully resolve any past issues.
Allow yourself to be Vulnerable
You may think you feel “too much”, and that you just need to suck it up. However, the version of you as a child was always brave enough to cry, and so should you. Besides, emotions are a powerful tool for creation, so feel what you do and find a healthy outlet of expression—like making art.
Keep an Open Mind
Most importantly, don’t let yourself fall into the trap of constant worry—get out of your own head from time to time. Agonising over past embarrassments and concern over a future you are not even certain of will only hold your creativity back. Allow yourself to be in the present, because that’s the only point of time you truly live in. Your inner child didn’t have these constraints, until these thoughts were drilled into you.
Conclusion
By healing past grievances and reconnecting to our inner child, a source of creativity is unlocked once more. It may not be a quick and easy process, but this rediscovered perspective is worth it—remember that progress will look differently for everyone, so try not to compare. You’ve got this, no one knows your inner child better than you do.
Author Bio
From Malaysia, Leia Emeera is a writer at TESSR, and a published author. She has been putting pen to paper ever since she learned how to, and has an anthology to her name, titled 'Ten'. Leia loves music, games and her beloved labrador retriever, George. She aims to further her studies in English Literature and Creative Writing the moment her gap year ends. 'Till then, you will find her sitting behind a desk, writing with TESSR.
Connect with her on LinkedIn: Leia Emeera
Comments