My bedroom is newly painted a shade called Lemon Sorbet. My husband hung a bookshelf where I can see the spines of my TBR pile. I thoughtfully browse them all at once when I close an old friend and decide to pick up a new one.
I lie on my bed and peer out the windows at the clouds passing over the East River + think thought after thought after thought. Ideas growing wings, past waves of shame creeping up with slimy fingers, remembering my mother’s sun tea.
My eyes are closed and I’m absorbing the sun's rays through the pear-green leaves at Central Park. Legs, face, and back of the neck are sticky with the air’s humidity.
Expecting to feel frosty mountain water, I’m shocked by the warmth that envelopes my skin as I dive off a dock in the Hudson Valley. We swim to the deep end, intermittently kissing and forcing ourselves as far down as we can go into the depth below to feel waves of icy cold.
My fingers stain red as I pit sour cherries. My dog is allowed in bed the night of the fireworks and we all sleep soundly snuggling together. I wake up smiling and my lover brings me a cappuccino adorned with a milk foam heart.
I read greedily, letting coffee-caked stained plates sit in the sink, knowing a vacuum of the living room couldn’t hurt.
I call my dad and laugh over comics he found, take off shoes and wiggle toes in grassy hills, make up songs that I sing off-key to my dog.
I didn’t make a plan, have only committed to doing what feels good, and it dawns on me that the summer of my inner child is alive + well.
I smile, she smiles.
We’re safe here, and enjoying the ride.
To making up dance routines in the kitchen,
Kayli
Frederic Leighton’s “Flaming June” // By the Pool // Cappuccino in Bed // Under the Sea
My images of girlhood are intrinsically linked with my sisters. Feathers boas strewn across necks performing concerts into echo microphones, laughing until we had stomach aches, and sticking tiny blue moons to our ears to wear on late evening custard runs.
While I live across the country from my sisters now (I’ll be reuniting with them by the time this goes to publishing — eek!) I know there’s always things I can do to channel those times + do some good for the soul.
🌈 Lay down a blanket in a patch of grass, pop open a cold seltzer + read a magazine.
🧜🏽♀️ Strap on some goggles + dive into some water looking for undersea wonders.
🍦 Buy an ice cream cone with extra whipped cream. Bonus Points if it’s on your way home from an afternoon outdoors!
💄 Wear your brightest lipstick + your most colorful outfit together.
🍿Make some popcorn + have a movie night with friends. May I recommend the Lizzie McGuire movie?
📖 Grab a fantasy read or book that brings nostalgia + spend the day curled up next to a window getting lost in the plot.
🎤 Make a playlist of childhood songs you know by heart + sing them at the top of your lungs as you get ready for the day.
🔑 Journal in your best loopy cursive about how your inner child would love to spend the day + then plan a day where you can actually live that way. Take note of how this makes you feel!
📞 Call up your bestie and lye on your bed chatting about everything and nothing.
🍓 Go to a local farm + pick some berries, not caring if your fingers or clothes get full of the juices!
🧖🏼♀️ My Mom always loved making us oatmeal face masks! Whip one up + wear it as you catch up your latest TV show.
🎨 Make something! Working with my hands always helps me get out of my head. There’s adult bead kits, air dry clay, and my personal fave, chocolate chip cookies.
🌸 Take a walk device-free + make a list of things to notice. A particular color, flowers, count how many dogs you pass. In Anne Lamott’s new book (Amazon, Bookshop), she says her husband lives by the adage that everything true and beautiful about life can be discovered on a 10-minute walk.
✏️ Make a list of things that make you happy, movies that scream “summer”, books that have changed you, quotes you live by, and then share with a friend. Also, see where it takes you! This exercise can spark the urge to collage, see a local play, write in your journal. Honor that.
“A sister is a little bit of childhood that can never be lost.” - Marion Garretty
via Pinterest
To Prep: You’ll want to find a photo of you as a child. If you have an age you know you want to connect with, try to find a photo of you around that time that you can prop up where you plan on meditating.
To begin, Find a safe space you feel free to let your emotions come to life in. A corner of your living room or kitchen table works perfectly! Then, find a comfortable seated position + close your eyes.
If you’d like, this is a good step to play calming music to help you drop in.
Take a few deep breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth. Allow yourself to fully sink into the present moment.
When you feel relaxed, gently flutter your eyes open and gaze at the photo of yourself as a child. Observe the photo with kindness and curiosity. Notice any emotions, memories, or sensations that arise. Spend a few moments connecting with the energy of your younger self.
When ready, close your eyes again and visualize the environment where the photo was taken. Use all of your senses to immerse yourself in this space. What emotions arise? Do you smell specific scents? Hear things coming back to you? Take a few deep breaths here.
Imagine your younger self stepping into the scene. Observe their facial expressions, body language, and overall energy.
Greet your inner child and ask if there’s anything they would like to share with you. Listen to their words, feelings, and desires with open and non-judgmental awareness. Allow this to be a safe space for them to express themselves.
Ask your inner child what they need from you in order to feel more supported, loved, or protected. Take time to truly listen without judgment, fear, or other emotions that normally come into play when you think of your childhood.
Ask what your inner child needs and visualize yourself providing comfort and support to them based on what they’ve shared with you. This could be a hug, words of encouragement, or simply being present with them.
Thank your inner child for being brave and vulnerable with you. Let them know that you will continue to be there for them and that they can rest knowing you’re going to take good care of them.
When you feel called, gently bring your awareness back to the present moment and your breath. Feel the connection and healing between you and your inner child strengthening.
When you are ready, slowly open your eyes and journal what came up for you.
Take the kind of care of yourself that you’d want for your inner child. This practice can stir up a lot of emotions and is best done with space after to reflect, move, or simply relax. Your body will know what it desires. I love putting some epsom salts in a bath and playing a soft playlist to come back into my body.
via Jack Gray
I recently got this Inner Child & Beyond Oracle Deck from the absolutely magical Tweefontein Herb Farm in New Paltz + have been enjoying it in my morning practice.
This photographer captured heartwarming images of his mother’s inner child.
Rachel Khong’s Real Americans (Amazon, Bookshop) took me all of two days to read. An incredibly moving page turner that begs the question, are we destined, or are we made?
If you’re into wine, California in the 70’s, or just want an excuse to see Alan Rickman on your screen again, you might enjoy Bottle Shock!
Ever since my sister and brother in law introduced cribbage to us, Aaron and I have played constantly. Plus, it’s a light addition to our suitcase or tote bag!
I want to create this vibe at my next outdoor gathering. Who’s in??
This hike to supper experience for adults in the Hudson Valley sounds epic!
Idea: Frame things other than photos! I recently hung a card I found at a stationery shop that says “Here for Hugs” on the trunk of a tree. I love hugging trees in my spare time (but seriously) so it’s a perfect addition to our home! We also love framing small notes, postcards, and I even surprised Aaron with a shadowbox of sugars from some of our honeymoon spots for Christmas. Think outside the box! No pun intended.
I took a writing tour with
in Antibes and she wrote a fabulous book you must check out if you’re into Paris and feminism, Women À La Mode (Amazon, Bookshop).The benefits of inner child work extend far beyond healing!
I was just writing about some inner child collages I made 🥰 I love inner child work thanks for sharing your meditation.