Growing up does not mean we have to grow out of what makes us happy and complete. It is only in accepting all the pieces of our Self that we are able to grow to our highest potential. Here are 7 ways you can learn to re-accept the more vulnerable parts of your being with honesty and love.

 

Let Go of Inhibitions — SOBER

We’ve learned to repress ourselves and it’s time to let go of that habit. As adults, we’re taught that inhibitions are only given up with an excuse in order to allow us to open up to another and be honest with our emotions. I have three words for you…

STOP DOING THAT.

This restrictive behavior does nothing but make you believe you are reliant on something in order to be open and honest. The truth is that you don’t need any of this.

All it does is act as a shield and a scape goat to blame your vulnerability on. There’s nothing scarier than letting your walls down, but that’s the only way to experience life wholly. Take the time to learn how you can bring back a freer you.

It’s time to laugh louder. Smile broadly. Let yourself cry. Get vulnerable… You’ve got this.

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Embrace the Feels & Stop Numbing Yourself

Whether it’s through binge-watching Netflix, nonstop scrolling Instagram, or any other activity that allows us to numb out, many of us shut down our internal dialogue with our Self. I’ve fallen victim to this countless times and continue to work on building healthier time management habits. I’ve learned that emotions can be scary to accept and handle, especially when we’ve been raised to deny them.

As kids, we are just full of emotions and wear them on our sleeves. Growing up we are taught to contain our outbursts, don’t let others see us cry, and more. Unfortunately, sometimes our self-policing is taken too far.

Any benefits of numbing yourself is short-lived. The goal of growing older is not to suppress emotional reactions, but rather to discern the difference between an emotional response and the actions we choose to take in that moment.

In order to continue developing we must come to terms with our emotions and grow our emotional intelligence. Emotional reactions are normal and should not be ignored. Instead, learn how to express those reactions in a healthy way for yourself and others.

Recommended: How Bottling Emotions Affects Your Memory

 

Let the Burden of Your Expectations Go

Kids live in the moment. Growing older, we are taught to plan ahead. We are often asked, “Where do you see yourself in 5 years? …10 years?” Those with well-laid plans are applauded, and those of us without them feel left behind for not living up to the expectations set for them.

But as I’m sure you’ve experienced, there are many times where even our best plans go awry. Everything we look forward to can disappear in an instant, and disappointment is born from unfulfilled expectations.

While it’s good to create plans to achieve your goals, be careful that you’re not making the stakes so high that there’s a better chance for you to be left weighed down by your expectations. Doing this will only lead to more work on your part in order to achieve your dreams. Instead, learn to set goals and plan out how to get there, but release the need to control every aspect of the outcome.

Recommended: How To Let Go Based On Your Sensory Learning Style

 

Be Honest

If there’s anything I’ve learned from my niece and nephew, they have opinions and will speak their mind. Sometimes, this is at the detriment of others when it isn’t the nicest truth. But you know what? At least it’s still a truth that comes from a good place.

As we grow older, we curb our honesty in favor of politeness. We refrain from sharing truths that can be divisive, and tamp them down along with our inner child.

But let’s get real. We are smarter than our younger selves, and the years of psychological development has gifted us with a new ability: tact. It is possible to be truthful without being mean. Focus on building healthy communication skills in your relationships and you’ll never need to lie or withhold your thoughts.

Recommended: Have More Meaningful Conversations With These 3 Skills

 

Put YOU first: Practice Self-Care

Consideration for others, and having a collective mindset is both a blessing and a curse. When taken too far, it puts your own care at risk.

You should never jeopardize your own health or wellbeing to help another. Altruism is a trait to be celebrated, but as with all things it has its limits. You can’t fill another’s glass when yours runs empty.

Take time to recharge when needed. You are perfectly allowed to skip out on a meet up in favor of sleeping in or watching movies on your couch. You are worthy of the same love that you give to others.

Recommended: When Being Considerate is a Bad Thing

 

Keep the Faith

It’s time to let go of limiting beliefs. They are not adding anything positive to your life, only holding you back from fully embracing it along with your inner child.

Let go of the jaded cynic shell you’ve built up over the years. Instead of asking yourself why you should believe in something, try asking, Why not?

Learn to ask why before you deny. Your life will change for the better when you can accept that there are more perspectives than your own, and even perspectives that have yet to be imagined.

 

Embrace Spontaneity

Organization and pre-planning are exciting habits to have as an independent adult, but it isn’t everything. Too much structure can create walls that trap you into a routine of limiting beliefs. Use spontaneity to provide that dose of surprise in your life to keep it fresh.

Some mistake spontaneity for unpredictability and chaos, but you can be both spontaneous and responsible. Spontaneity is a key source for maintaining balance in your life and can help you to relax your need to control every aspect of your life.

You can start with choosing a day or weekend to wander your city to discover hidden gems. Or you can choose a day trip destination by pulling one out of a hat of your choosing. Whatever way you want to do it, I encourage you to push against the boundaries of your comfort zone.

 

Feel free to leave a comment below as well sharing other ways you like to let your inner child out, I’d love to hear what works for you!

 

More Posts You Might Like: 

Negativity & Language: How Your Words Are Creating Your Life Sentence

How Bottling Emotions Affects Your Memory

How To Let Go Based On Your Sensory Learning Style

Have More Meaningful Conversations With These 3 Skills

When Being Considerate is a Bad Thing

 

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