Cultivating your inner child

Well, here we are, third blog post on this website!

What is this one about then?

I just came back to London after almost two months back home with my parents in Switzerland (#quarantinelife). I am extremely lucky to say I am very close to my family, and goodbyes are always a tricky one. Being home and cared for for the last two months, I was reminded of how important it is to cultivate your inner child by simply going back to being one myself. In these uncertain times, it is sometimes hard to find the positive of everyday life. This is why finding your inner child can be crucial. As a child, you find the smallest thing wonderful, you are curious about everything you see. This state of mind and of lightness can help us get through difficult times.

One of the first tips I would like to share: limit your access to news media. I have read in a book recently how media plays with our fear to maintain our fidelity and desire to be constantly aware of what is going on in the world. But this prevents us from seeing what is currently around us, as well as nurturing our fear and provoking a constant state of anxiety of varying degrees. I am an advocate of knowledge, and yes, I do believe it is important to be conscious of what is going on in the world, but I find that if I do not check every day, I do not miss out. Actually, I gain peace and serenity from staying away from the media.

Another tip I have for you this week: do something that you loved doing as a child. It can be reading, drawing, colouring, going for a walk and marvel at the squirrels and the birds in the park (I am currently not allowed to do that, but oh boy will I catch up as soon as my quarantine is over!), watching a kid’s movie, etc. I have started reading fantasy novels again, and it still ignites this wonderful mix of emotions within me that makes me feel like I am experiencing the story myself, and makes me feel alive. It is not an escape in my opinion, but an action of cultivating your inner life and strength, your inner marvel, your inner power. I have also watched Pocahontas again on Disney +, and remembered why it has been one of my ultimate favourite animated movies of all times: it is just bloody brilliant (I may be biased here, I will leave that for you to judge). Watching it as a young adult now, the love story just feels utterly magical and beautiful and pure and raw, but I also realised how brutal the invasion of the Virginia Company was already depicted; you literally see them destroy the nature they have just discovered, with very little respect towards the local flora, fauna and people. And the score! Another beautiful masterpiece by Alan Menken! Go watch it again if you have not in a long time; and if you have never watched it, GO DO IT NOW. Seriously. You will thank me later.

It is okay to feel the need to withdraw from time to time. When life gets too much, when you feel like you cannot control anything and you feel lost. From my personal experience, it happens usually when I have neglected that inner child, that inner self who now screams for attention and self-love. Cultivating your inner child, in my opinion, is one of the most powerful tool to remain positive, even more in difficult times (although please acknowledge when you are not capable of doing so, it is so crucial to validate your experience and feelings, do not suppress them, it will come rolling back to your face like a high-speed train. But instead of battling those feelings and desperately trying to stay positive, ask your self, your inner self, what those feelings and emotions are; what is it trying to tell you? Give yourself the time and care you need, always. Ask your self questions without seeking a concrete answer: questions open possibilities and space, answers reduce them).

I became an auntie slightly over two weeks ago now (and Lord is my nephew absolutely adorable and sweet!!!!). Watching him looking around at his surroundings, in complete awe, curiosity, wonder, without any trace of judgment whatsoever, reminded me of that magical state we can be in: finding the smallest thing wonderful, and laying neutral eyes on everything, devoid of judgment.

I hope this post was somehow useful to you, whatever state of life you find yourself in.

Sending big virtual hugs and kisses

Clara xx

PS: if you use makeup brushes, please clean them, often, even more if you use liquid foundation, clean the brush you use it with THOROUGHLY, probably more than once a week! Trust me, it can get seriously grim in there…