There is a certain irony in adulthood. We spend our childhoods longing to grow up to avoid those afternoon siestas, yet when we finally arrive, we often find ourselves looking back. When I was little, I dreamed of owning certain toys. Maybe you did too. For me, it was action figures, Lego sets, and that one scooter that seemed to gleam brighter than everything else in the shop. Back then, those things felt like treasures that would make life whole.
Fast forward to today: I’m now a parent, and I get to see my kids eyes light up when they unwrap these gifts I get for them. Now, seeing their joy feels like a double gift. There’s something special about being able to give them what I once longed for. In those moments, I feel a strange, quiet fulfillment. It’s as though the child in me smiles, finally content.
These experiences make me wonder what it really means to “satisfy the inner child.” Is it about fulfilling childhood dreams with material things? Is it about recreating lost moments? Or is it something deeper, a kind of healing or rediscovery of joy?
When people talk about the inner child, it can sound abstract or overly “self-help-y.” But if we strip away the labels, it’s really just about remembering that the child you once were is still shaping the adult you’ve become. That child still longs for joy, still carries old hurts, and still whispers when you slow down enough to listen.
Understanding the Inner Child
The “inner child” is not a new idea. Carl Jung first described it as part of the subconscious mind that carries the experiences and emotions of our early years. In psychological terms, it is the younger self that still influences our choices, reactions, and even the way we handle relationships as adults.
This concept is often linked to fun and wonder. Think about the part of you that still lights up at the first bite of your favorite ice cream or cake, or that glimmer in your eyes when fireworks explode in the night sky. I personally like how the movie, Inside Out, captured this: joy and sadness live side by side in Riley’s memories, reminding us that childhood isn’t just about play, but also about tender, complicated emotions.
For many of us, though, the inner child also carries bruises. A child who felt overlooked might grow into an adult who fears speaking up. A child who only felt loved when they excelled might become an adult perfectionist, forever chasing approval. Think of the friend who always volunteers to help, even when exhausted, because deep down they’re still trying to earn the love they missed. Or the colleague who struggles with feedback because it feels less like critique and more like rejection or comparison.
We may not always realize it, but those echoes of childhood live on. Healing often begins when we admit they’re there.
The Everyday Echoes of the Inner Child
There’s a common belief that to heal the inner child, we just need to shower ourselves with material pleasures. Buy the sneakers we couldn’t afford as kids. Travel to all the places we only saw in books. Indulge in hobbies without restraint. The inner child isn’t satisfied by excess. What it truly seeks is care, recognition, and a sense of being enough.
What I like in my profession today is how I lean into observations. The idea of satisfying the inner child is one that I see a lot more in the recent events I am involved. Here are some examples:
- A parent might buy their child some toys they never had growing up, not just to give them joy but to soothe that part of themselves still wishing for it.
- That sudden craving for a sour candy, or the joy of dipping fries into a vanilla ice cream, might not make sense nutritionally, but it awakens the carefree child who once believed food was meant to be fun.
- An employee might struggle with recognition. A missed “thank you” can sting far more than it “should,” because it taps into old feelings of not being enough.
- That little pang you feel when friends make plans without you? That’s the child within, remembering what it felt like to be left out of the game on the playground.
- Buying a LEGO set as an adult, collecting Funko Pops, or treasuring old comic books isn’t just about the items themselves. These arent about connecting with the wonder and imagination they once sparked.
These moments are not weaknesses. They’re reminders that our histories live on inside us, and that paying attention to them can make us gentler, both with ourselves and with others.
Listening Instead of Fixing
I recently facilitated a session about seeking to understand more… and it resonated very well — still, and on and on, despite teaching it for a couple of years already. Sometimes, we don’t need to fix things, we just have to listen. So what does it mean to care for your inner child? It isn’t about recreating a perfect childhood or trying to erase every scar. It’s about listening with kindness.
Sometimes it looks like giving yourself permission to rest instead of pushing harder. Sometimes it’s allowing yourself to play, whether through painting, dancing, or even building Lego sets with your kids. And sometimes it’s simply learning to pause when you feel triggered, asking yourself, What part of me is speaking right now?
One of my favorite illustrations comes from Good Will Hunting. In the powerful scene where Robin Williams’ character tells Will, “It’s not your fault,” again and again, you see a hardened adult slowly let the child within be seen and comforted. That’s what healing often looks like. Not dramatic fixes, but patient reminders that you are loved and safe.
At the same time, the Bible also invites us into healing. Psalm 34:18 reminds us:
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
In other words, God sees the wounds we carry from childhood and offers restoration that no amount of material possessions can give. Fulfilling the inner child isn’t just about revisiting the past or buying what we once wanted. It’s about letting God meet us in those tender spaces. It’s about remembering that we are His children first, loved without condition.
Of course, caring for the inner child doesn’t mean excusing bad behavior or getting stuck in the past. We’re still responsible for how we show up in the world today. But the more we understand where our patterns come from, the more we can choose wisely instead of reacting blindly.
In my work in learning and development, I see this often. A leader who once felt voiceless as a child may struggle to delegate, clinging to control out of fear. But when they begin to notice that connection, they’re freed to lead with more trust. Likewise, employees who felt overlooked may blossom when they learn to voice their needs in safe, structured spaces. The past doesn’t disappear, but it can be redeemed.
The Drifter’s Invitation
So perhaps the real question isn’t “How do I satisfy my inner child?” but:
“What does my inner child still need, and where am I looking to fulfill it?”
Is it comfort you long for? Joy? Safety? Recognition? Wholeness?
And in seeking those, are you turning only to possessions and experiences, or are you open to the deeper healing that comes from love, community, and faith?
I’d love to hear your thoughts. How do you nurture the child within you? What practices, moments, or even small rituals bring you closer to that sense of wholeness?
Feel free to share in the comments or with someone you trust. Sometimes just voicing these reflections is already a step toward healing.