I’m writing this inspired by my own story, which starts with the girl I was and that I see in this photo now. I look so innocent, curious, confident, perhaps somewhat overwhelmed by so many grown ups around me.

I remember perfectly that I was very shy, I played a lot on my own. Later on, external pressures pushed me to annihilate my essence in order to be accepted, to be loved and to be complacent.

Many years have gone by now, and much therapy, so I can take pride in the path I chose for myself and not the one imposed by other people and self-imposed expectations. What can we do to reconnect with that beautiful innocence and inner essence that’s still there from the time we were born?

There is a very wise teaching from master Thich Nhat Hanh that says that we have to be with ourselves as we were a mother who is in the kitchen and listens to her baby cry. What does she do? She leaves everything to comfort her child. When the mother hugs her newborn, her energy calms her baby. Below are three simple things we can do to reconnect with our essence or inner child:

1. Taking care of ourselves as we would do with our baby. We can start by treating ourselves with patience and love. I have personally been ruthless with myself but thanks to the practice of self-compassion, I’ve healed many wounds and there are still many.

2. Respecting our deepest desires. In my case, that shyness that I no longer feel, has left a need for time by myself on a daily basis. Others will want to dance, travel, cook, etc.

3. Pausing. There is a space of wisdom found only when we pause, the hustle and bustle of adult life makes us more impulsive. Meditation, contemplation, faith, a cup of tea alone, sip by sip, walking outdoors, anything that can lead to pausing is key to reconnect with our essence.

Whatever our age, our essence waits patiently for us to embrace it. What else do you do to reconnect with inner child?