Rediscovering My Inner Child

I was recently reminded of how easy it is to lose touch with our inner child. In spite of loving so many aspects of my life, I noticed that a spark was missing. Can anyone relate? Things that I normally enjoyed were starting to feel a little flat, and no matter how hard I worked at it, I could not seem to shift my perspective. I had all of the tools and the awareness, and yet...I just couldn't put my finger on it.

And then, I had a coaching session in which I was reminded to reconnect with my inner child. She was crying out for some adventure, which has felt a bit scarce these past few years since returning to Canada. You see, I went from traveling the world to being a full time student and then growing my business. I love the work I do, but that little girl inside was crying out for some attention. How had I so easily forgotten about her?

So I decided to go on a spontaneous adventure that reminded me of the travels I used to take. No itinerary or set schedule. Just a destination in mind. An unexpectedly open day free of meetings or client sessions (one of the benefits of being self-employed), meant that I could plan a last minute getaway. It all began with a spontaneous decision to visit Bowen Island, a serene and picturesque escape just off the coast of Vancouver.

The adventure was off to an interesting start…I missed my ferry! And although I noticed some disappointment arise (mostly as myself for not paying attention to the change in boarding location), I reminded myself that I had no plan and this day was meant to be one of flow and ease.

I found myself wandering into a local coffee shop, and immediately felt drawn to a woman who was singing and dancing. She appeared to be older than me, and I thought “wow, what a beautiful sense of freedom to be able to sing and dance to a song you like in a coffee shop.” So, I decided to tell her. This sparked an inspiring conversation in which she shared her story with me about how she has an illness that could cause a blood clot in her brain at any moment. So, she was choosing to live life fully expressed. Authentically. What an inspiration.

Beside her sat an older woman who started to join in the conversation, and we came to realize that she had missed her ferry as well. To which we decided to travel over to the island together and spend the day having fun! Spending the day in the company of this remarkable soul, I found myself immersed in her youthful spirit, and it had a profound impact on me. It was as if her joy and vitality were contagious, and it gradually reconnected me with my own inner child, which I had unknowingly pushed aside in the midst of my daily responsibilities and commitments.

As we shared stories, laughed, and reveled in the simple joys of the day, I realized how far I had strayed from my authentic self. The encounter with these inspiring women helped me rediscover the importance of lightness, laughter, and the pursuit of happiness. It was a vivid reminder that embracing our inner child is not a regression but a reawakening of our true essence.

The experience on Bowen Island rekindled my sense of purpose and passion, igniting the dreams and passions that had guided my journey of authenticity. It reaffirmed that staying true to oneself means embracing the unadulterated joy of the present moment, just as these two remarkable women had shown me.

In a world that often compels us to be serious and responsible, it's essential to embrace moments of spontaneity and reconnect with our authentic selves. My journey to Bowen Island and the encounter with two extraordinary women was just the reminder I needed. The experience of rekindling my youthful spirit allowed me to rediscover my purpose and passion, reminding me of the profound joy that comes with being true to oneself. So, let us all take the time to connect with our inner child and find our way back to authenticity and the happiness it brings.

Curious about how to connect with yours? Let’s chat!