When the topic of honouring your inner child comes up, the most obvious thing you may think of is PLAY. But there are many ways that your inner-child could be supported and honoured during the holidays.
When you think of gathering around family… or perhaps not gathering at all, there are emotions that come up for each of us. You may be feeling excitement, joy, or love. You may be feeling stressed. You may be feeling uneasy or overwhelmed. Perhaps you feel lonely or a sense of dread. Whatever it is… know that there is possibility to experience the opposite… or perhaps even an inkling of relief from the immensity of this emotion. But how?
This is where honouring your inner child can open a door to new possibility.
What if you simply paused to ask yourself what you needed more of right now?
What if you stopped to think about what more your inner child needed that first time they felt that feeling of excitement, overwhelm, or loneliness?
What did they desire more of? Here are some ideas…
Celebration
- Create Personal Traditions: whether you already have unique holiday traditions or can start with something new this year… know that you get to practice traditions that resonate with your inner child, such as decorating your space in a way that brings joy or baking delicious cookies.
- Reconnect with Playfulness: you deserve to spark a sense of play, whether it’s playing games, building a snowman, or simply embracing the joy of laughter.
- Celebrate Small Victories: notice where you can you acknowledge and celebrate small achievements or positive moments that can foster a mindset of joy and accomplishment.
Safety
- Establish Boundaries: clearly define and communicate your boundaries to ensure a sense of emotional and physical safety during gatherings.
- Create a Cozy Space: you can designate a safe and comfortable space to retreat to if you need a moment alone or want to recharge.
- Practice Mindful Breathing: notice how you can take moments to focus on your breath to create a calming effect and promote a sense of emotional safety in your body.
Appreciation
- Gratitude Journal: you can journal throughout the holidays, jotting down things you’re thankful for daily to foster a positive outlook and reflect on the beautiful moments in your day.
- Express Appreciation: take time to express gratitude to yourself and others, acknowledging the positive aspects of your relationships and experiences, without ego and without judgement.
- Reflect on Achievements: taking a moment to acknowledge just how far you’ve come within your personal growth and achievements during the year, perhaps seeing the moments where you honoured your inner child already, recognizing the resilience and strengths of carrying your inner child with you.
Relaxation
- Mindful Moments: see where you can incorporate short mindfulness sessions or moments of meditation to create pockets of relaxation amid the holiday hustle.
- Plan Downtime: notice opportunities to schedule intentional downtime to relax and recharge, whether it’s reading a book, taking a bath, or simply enjoying a quiet moment.
- Digital Detox: consider taking breaks from digital devices to reduce stress and promote a more relaxed environment where you can be mindful and present.
Surrender
- Let Go of Perfection: perhaps you get to focus on releasing the need for perfection during holiday preparations, allowing room for spontaneity and imperfections.
- Practice Acceptance: notice where you can be more accepting of circumstance, other people’s boundaries, and real opportunities for new possibilities to show up, understanding that not everything needs to go according to plan.
- Delegate Tasks: see where you can ask others to support you in different responsibilities and tasks, recognizing that you don’t have to take on everything yourself.
Nurture:
- Self-Care Rituals: establish self-care rituals that cater to your physical and emotional well-being, such as a daily nap or a warm cup of tea.
- Inner Dialogue: awareness of the words we say can alter how it is we feel, so perhaps you can take that extra moment to monitor and adjust your inner dialogue, speaking to yourself with kindness and encouragement.
- Connect with Nature: find moments to spend time in nature to nurture your inner child, whether it’s a walk in the park or appreciating the beauty of the snow on the trees.
Belonging:
- Reach Out to Loved Ones or New Friends: actively reach out to friends and family to see how they are doing during the holidays, letting them know they are special and loved.
- Enjoy Inclusive Activities: choose activities that can be enjoyed by a diverse group, whether you are hosting or attending to be close to others.
- Practice Empathy: approach interactions with empathy, seeking to understand others’ perspectives as they may not have the same idea or experience of the holidays as you. Perhaps you can offer empathy to yourself if you are feeling lonely and know that this time is just a moment, but there is so much possibility for you to belong within yourself.
What else?
Whatever it is… this is your invitation to give yourself permission to give yourself more… More play, more recognition, more rest, more celebration, more love. 💌
💕 Lauren
| P.S. What simple thing can you do for yourself to honour you… to honour your inner-child to receive love, joy, excitement, peace? |
