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Reading 3 min.
in collaboration with
Amélie Boukhobza (Clinical psychologist)
In these gloomy times, do you want to find a little lightness? Learn to reconnect with your inner child, thanks to the valuable advice of Amélie Boukhobza, clinical psychologist.
Jumping in puddles, having a snowball fight, picking flowers in a field… We were all amazed, as children, by these “little things” in life that bring a good dose of joy. However, as we grow up – and with the responsibilities that pile up – it is easy (even frequent) to lose that childlike soul. How to reconnect permanently? Advice from Amélie Boukhobza, clinical psychologist.
Why does wonder fade with age?
The sense of wonder often fades as we age, as we become accustomed to the world around us and our experiences lose their “magic.” The first ice creams, first school trips and first kisses are far behind us.
However, the big culprit of this progressive erosion is our “own mind”, affirms the site Psychology Today. Our memories, although precious, can also shape us. We’ve already seen this sunrise, already tasted this strawberry cake, already felt this thrill… So it’s very (too) easy to know what to expect.
“This familiarity breeds complacency, preventing us from fully experiencing the present moment“, underline the site’s experts.”Our mind (…) creates a barrier between us and the world. We cling to pleasant memories and reject unpleasant ones, creating a distorted reality that prevents us from truly seeing things as they are. We find ourselves trapped in our thoughts, worries and judgments, missing the beauty and wonder around us“, they warn.
However, living in the present moment is not just a question of state of mind, it is also and above all an incredible feeling of well-being.
“Growing up and being an adult is not always easy. The reality of life is sometimes bitter. So rediscovering your capacity for wonder, your open, curious, spontaneous mind… is a good thing and it feels good!“, confirms Amélie Boukhobza.
For what ? “Because we sometimes forget to what extent childhood is synonymous with freedom, daring, and creativity. You only have to observe children to realize it…! “, she adds. “So instead of just letting ourselves be locked into the constraints of everyday life, we could find a little of this lightness.”
In summary, reconnecting with your inner child allows you to maintain a form of optimism in the face of life’s challenges and to (re)discover simple pleasures. We continue to learn and open ourselves to new experiences, while leaving stress – and problems – aside.
Good in his body, good in his head!
It is appropriate for this… to practice wonder! Take the time to look at the world with “fresh eyes”, as a child would.
Also integrate playtime into your daily life (board games, creative activities, fun times with friends or children, etc.) and explore new interests (scuba diving, chess games in a club, hiking, horse riding, knitting…).
Any excuse is good for taking care of your mental health, while (re)discovering new facets of your personality (and, of course, forging new connections).
Don’t fear the judgment of others either: allow yourself to have fun and be authentic (Go on a trip to the ends of the world solo? Why not!). You will appreciate this new freedom of mind even more.
For Amélie Boukhobza, the key ultimately lies in the carefree moments experienced and shared.
“Laugh without asking questions, marvel at the little details, don’t be afraid to do things just for fun. Say what comes to us, relearn to be curious, explore, without too much fear of making mistakes. Allow yourself to have fun without worrying about how others look at you, run, jump in puddles, dream, even have a cushion fight… It’s reinjecting simplicity into our days, without trying to control everything !“, she concludes.
Finally, don’t forget to cultivate gratitude. The more we give, the more we receive!
Slide: Happiness: what if we imitated our children?