Questions to ask your inner child
There is a younger version of you that still exists somewhere inside.
The child who loved certain songs.
The child who found excitement in small things.
The child who had dreams, curiosity, and a very clear idea of what felt fun.
As we get older, life naturally changes.
We become busy.
We take on responsibilities.
We learn to focus on what needs to be done.
And sometimes, without noticing, we lose touch with the parts of ourselves that once brought us so much joy.
Connecting with your inner child is simply a way of checking in with those parts again.
Not because anything is wrong.
Not because you need to go back.
But because there may be pieces of yourself you would love to welcome back into your life.
Your playfulness.
Your creativity.
Your curiosity.
Your ability to enjoy simple moments.
A journal is a beautiful place to explore that relationship.
You don't need to force any big discoveries.
Just start with a little curiosity.
Remembering your younger self
Take a moment to think back.
What did I love doing when I was younger?
What could I spend hours doing without getting bored?
What made me feel happy and free?
What was my favourite place to be?
What did I dream about becoming?
What small things brought me comfort?
What parts of my younger self do I still recognise today?
Getting to know your inner child
Sometimes the things we loved as children point us towards what we need now.
What made me feel most like myself as a child?
What did I enjoy before I worried about being "good" at it?
What activities make me feel playful or curious today?
What parts of myself have I been too busy to notice?
What would my younger self think of my life today?
What would I like to bring back into my everyday life?
Offering yourself kindness
Imagine sitting beside your younger self.
What would you want them to know?
What would I tell my younger self if they were feeling worried?
What would I thank my younger self for?
What do I wish I had heard more often?
What kindness can I offer myself today?
What have I been through that deserves more compassion?
A journaling exercise: write a letter to your younger self
Find a quiet moment and begin with:
Dear younger me,
You can write about anything that comes up.
Maybe you want to tell your younger self what life is like now.
Maybe you want to reassure them.
Maybe you want to thank them for the things they loved, the dreams they had, or the way they saw the world.
You might write:
"I want you to know..."
"I wish you understood..."
"I hope you never forget..."
"I'm proud of you for..."
Don't worry about making it perfect.
This isn't about writing something beautiful.
It's about writing something honest.
Bringing more joy into your life today
Your inner child isn't only connected to memories.
You can create new moments too.
Ask yourself:
What is something small that would make today more enjoyable?
What did I love doing that I haven't made time for lately?
What would I try if I wasn't worried about being judged?
How can I make ordinary moments feel a little more special?
Maybe it's dancing around your kitchen.
Buying yourself flowers.
Drawing, creating, exploring, or trying something new.
Small moments of joy matter.
One last thought
Your younger self doesn't need you to have everything figured out.
They don't need you to be perfect.
They don't need you to have achieved everything you once imagined.
They simply want to know that you're still here.
That you're still curious.
That you're still making room for happiness.
Sometimes healing isn't about becoming someone new.
Sometimes it's about reconnecting with the parts of yourself that were always there.
Before you go...
Open your journal and finish this sentence:
"When I was younger, I loved..."
Write whatever comes to mind.
A hobby.
A place.
A person.
A feeling.
Then ask yourself:
"How can I bring a little more of that into my life today?"
You might be surprised by what your younger self still has to teach you.
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