Mental Health Ofrenda: Remembering Our Inner Child

Support for Austin Vida’s mental health coverage is made possible by the Ortiz Therapy Group.

Mis queridos familiares y amistades,

As I grow older, I sometimes feel burdened by or afraid of the idea of growing up. Ser un adulto me da miedo. In my so-called adulthood, I often worry about whether or not I am doing this thing called life “correctly.” Que raro, ¿no? Sometimes when I am so focused on a current worry or my trajectory in life, I can feel overwhelmed and sad. I feel distraught about the uncertainty of next week, month, or year. Life can feel frustrating in these moments. Maybe you experienced or are experiencing this in the middle of bumper to bumper traffic, a seemingly endless job search, or in the middle of a health scare. Our minds can keep us stuck on these worries, thoughts, or feelings.

¿Siempre fuimos así? Were we always like this? In moments like these when I feel myself trudging through the day to day, I like to think about children. Even in the most dire or oppressive situations, children have this incredible propensity to cultivate and experience joy. This is something we can learn from the spirit of children.

Our Inner Child

When I think back to my younger self, I remember the weightlessness and freedom of the present moment. As a 4 or 5 year old, I was not thinking ahead all the time. I enjoyed my surroundings and made observations. I played, laughed, and imagined. A Magalita le gustaba jugar.

Y tú, ¿te acuerdas de cómo eras en tu niñez? Do you remember yourself as a child? I know, in the depth of my heart, that even as you faced hardships and pain, you still felt deep joy. I have seen children in difficult circumstances demonstrate this very strength. So what if we thought of our inner child or the younger parts of ourselves as a resource and guide? What if when we are feeling most tense, frustrated, sad, or disheartened we could look to our younger selves for comfort, guidance, and inspiration? Imagine the possibilities, queridos. 

Mi Ofrenda Para Ti

If you have not done so before, now is the time for you to begin familiarizing yourself with your inner child. Esa version de ti todavía vive dentro de tu ser. Even if you do not have the clearest memories about who you were at four or seven or nine years old, start asking yourself questions about your younger self. Here are some ways you can channel your inner child and experience that same joyfulness or playfulness you carry inside of you, today.

• Explore within: On a piece of paper, start by drawing an outline of a younger version of your body in the middle of the page. Feel free to decorate that outline with stickers, your favorite colors, or even an outfit you remember loving as a child. Around the outline write down what you already know about this younger version of yourself such as: how old they are, what questions they have about the world, what animals they like, what they enjoy doing for fun, what they enjoy about their life, and more. Get as specific as possible!
• Explore with others: Another fun way to explore your inner child could be to ask a family member or childhood friend what they remember about you at a certain age. You can also ask them about themselves and offer up any memories you may have of them.
• Explore today: Now that you have done some “research” on your younger self, think about how you can incorporate habits, hobbies, or interests in your present day that honor your younger self. How might you make your inner child smile or laugh? How might you help your older self remember to play, imagine, and have fun? Now, go and do one thing on that list!

De mi corazón al tuyo, te deseo lo mejor. I hope you can tap into your inner child and find warmth in them.

MORE RESOURCES:

Familia, September is National Suicide Prevention Month. Visit the National Alliance on Mental Illness website to learn more about this important month.

Gentle note: Sometimes we need a little help. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, including thoughts of self-harm or suicide, or is simply having a tough time, consider reaching out to the following resources. No estas solx.

Si quieres ayuda / if you want help:

• Dial or text 988 to connect with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
• Llama 1-888-628-9454 para Servicios en español
• For deaf and hard of hearing people, use your preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988, or text 988.
• You can also text HOME to 741741 to connect with the Crisis Text Line.
• Caminos de sanación mental: Kit de herramientas de salud mental
• Pathways to Mental Healing: Mental Health Toolkit

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A message from our Mental Health sponsor:

At Ortiz Therapy Group, we’re passionate about people sharing their stories and acknowledge the privilege it is when they’re shared with us.
En Ortiz Therapy Group, nos apasiona que las personas compartan sus historias y reconocemos el privilegio que es cuando las comparten con nosotros.