Revisiting childhood hobbies and interests can be profoundly healing.In the never-ending chase for productivity and purpose, many of us, adults, are quietly returning to where it all began—those small, joyful moments of childhood that once felt like the whole world. Whether it's pulling out a dusty sketchpad, strumming a forgotten guitar, or simply getting lost in a silly dance before the day starts, revisiting childhood hobbies has become more than a wistful indulgence. It’s an act of remembering. Of reclaiming. Of healing.

The concept of the "inner child" refers to the part of our psyche that retains feelings, experiences, and memories from our formative years. It’s that tender part of us who still remembers the scraped knees, the wide-eyed wonder, the first heartbreaks, and the dreams that got our spirits excited. It’s the version of ourselves that never stopped needing care, affirmation, and a sense of safety.

As Dr. Damon Mitchell, a clinical psychologist, puts it, "healing the inner child can be a profound and transformative journey toward self-discovery and emotional well-being." And when we intentionally engage with the things that once brought us unfiltered joy, we begin to nurture that child we once were—with kindness, creativity, and compassion.

Play Therapy: The Art of Taking Yourself Less Seriously

Somewhere along the way, we were taught that play was childish. That leisure should be earned. “Work hard, play hard,” as they say. Right? Well, psychologists like Joan Erikson beg to differ. She defined play as something you do “for your own pleasure, because you find it amusing and enhancing somehow.” In other words, play is sacred. And it doesn't expire when you hit adulthood.

Whether it's doodling in the margins, rolling down a grassy hill, or putting together a puzzle just for the heck of it, these playful rituals bring levity to heavy days. They lift the weight off our shoulders and give us back a piece of ourselves.

Dr. Caroline Fenkel, a mental health expert, highlights that engaging in childhood hobbies again can offer “stress relief, cognitive advantages, and enhanced brain health.” But more than that, it reminds us how to delight in life again, without needing to explain why.

Play is sacred. And it doesn't expire when you hit adulthood.

Nostalgic Hobbies: A Quiet Kind of Self-Care

From writing bad poetry in the middle of the night to playing tag barefoot under the sun, our childhood hobbies weren’t about impressing anyone. They were about being ourselves—unfiltered, curious, and wildly alive.

Today, those same activities are resurfacing. And no, they aren’t just quirky trends or TikTok fads. They’re lifelines. They're rituals of remembrance. When we pick up the pen, paintbrush, instrument, or jump rope again, we aren’t just killing time. We're reconnecting with the parts of us that never got the chance to fully bloom. The emotions, skills, and character that develop when we do these activities add to who we are.

As Dr. Fenkel explains, engaging in hobbies without pressure to compete or perfect fosters joy that is sustainable. Joy that sticks. And that joy? It grounds us.

Reparenting: The Love We Give Ourselves

For many of us, childhood wasn't always soft. Maybe we grew up too fast. Maybe our needs went unheard. Maybe we learned to shrink.

Reparenting is the intentional, gentle act of becoming the caregiver you needed. It’s speaking kindly to yourself. Saying no when you mean it. Letting yourself rest. Cultivating the right disciplines to thrive in our personhood even more.

Experts like Nicole Johnson and Gillian O'Shea Brown describe reparenting as a pathway to healthier relationships, emotional resilience, and a deeper sense of self-worth. And one of the most profound ways to begin? Do the things your younger self would have loved to see you do.

Paint. Sing. Dance. Write. Dream wildly and show up for yourself. Your inner child is watching and cheering you on.

Reparenting is the intentional, gentle act of becoming the caregiver you needed.

Extending Self-Compassion: Grace Pointing Inward

Healing is not a linear process, and reconnecting with one's inner child can evoke a spectrum of emotions. There might be areas to grieve, celebrate, and simply honor by remembering. It's essential to approach this journey with patience and love. As we allow ourselves the freedom to play, create, and explore without judgment, we pave the way for a more authentic and fulfilling life.

In a world that often demands maturity and composure, permitting ourselves to revisit the innocent pleasures of our past is not only liberating but also profoundly healing. 

So go ahead—blast your favorite childhood song. Bake the cake with too many sprinkles. Build a fort out of blankets and dreams. Somewhere in the midst of it, you'll hear a familiar voice whispering, “Thank you.”

That’s your inner child coming home.