Thanks to self reflection and therapy this year I learned about the blessing that is inner child. I've learned that losing my mom when I was five and struggling with my mental health since high school has in a sense triggered an innate mechanism of feeding my inner child. My inner child has been something I've always nurtured, and I believe every adult deserves to do the same. Dear inner child, you are beautiful, you are loved and you are not alone. In honor of my 26th birthday just passing I'm sharing 26 ways I embrace my inner child. Lets embrace being childlike and not childish word to Matthew 18:4.

1. Ordering Shirley Temples

My dad and I would go out to eat frequently when I was little and he would always order a Bombay Sapphire. Whenever he would order a drink I would order a Shirley Temple with a plate of cherries on the side because I loved maraschino cherries so much. Im sharing the picture above for this one because most likely I was watching Shirley Temple as a ballerina when this picture was taken. My mom put me on to Shirley Temple and I still enjoy watching her movies and her special drink as an adult.

2. Going to Museums

Going to museums especially children's museums is another great way to embrace your inner child. I truly enjoyed living in the "Land Before Time" in Raleigh.

3. Following accounts on social media that cater to nostalgia

Nostalgia is like a drug to me. I can't get enough of it. I love following nostalgic based accounts on instagram. Hearing the theme songs to my favorite childhood shows and seeing the music videos from disney stars turnt music artists from the early 2000s is what really tickles my fancy.

4. Ordering box sets of my favorite childhood shows

Two of my favorite cartoons growing up were "The Proud Family" and "As Told By Ginger" and I now have the complete series box sets of both.

5. Looking at and analyzing old photographs

One thing I love to do is study old photographs. This one in particular I noticed the black angel in the back cupboard that my mom used to have on display. It brings me back to my childhood home. I loved how my mom decorated our house.

6. Paying homage to old hairstyles

Last month I redid this iconic chromosone/criss cross braids hair style. And of course I added clear beads to feel 8 years old again. I love how timeless cornrows are.

7. Yellow being my favorite color

My favorite color has always been yellow and I don't believe that will ever change. I remember when I would color pictures I would have my yellow crayon handy. A picture didn't satisfy me if it didn't have a splash of yellow.

8.Playing dress-up in my closet

One thing I'm good for is playing in my closet. I will put together many outfits and never wear them out.

9.Going on daddy-daughter dates

I love when my dad takes my little sister and I on daddy-daughter dates. My dad had a very demanding job, so from elementary school to middle school I wouldn't see him alot during the week. We had a tradition every Friday; a daddy-daughter date to the movies.

10.Studying fashion merchandising and design

Little Sadie wouldn't have guessed in her wildest dreams that I would end up earning a bachelor's degree in fashion design. Little Sadie is proud!

11. Wearing my trusty Tevas

These were the family traveling shoes growing up. They are still my favorite shoes to pack for trips.

12. Watching home videos

13. Styling virtual outfits

Who remembers Stardoll? It was THE site. We got the chance to live out our dreams styling our favorite celebrities as virtual dolls. I remember buying the redeemable cards at Walmart so I could buy my doll all the flyest exclusive stuff. Now thanks to apps like Polyvore I can continue living out my fashion dreams on the net.

14. Laying my quilt on my bed that my Grandmother gave me

My grandmother gifted me this jazzy quilt and a pink blanket with cats on it. I will never stop snuggling up with those

15. Reading my Young Women of Faith Bible

I love reading my young women's Bible my dad gifted me when I was 8 and occasionally finding old notes that I wrote. Suprisingly my handwriting was better back then.

16. Going to the park and swinging

17. Gifting myself a bratz doll

In 2021 Bratz celebrated 20 years by rereleasing the original Bratz dolls from 2001. I had to get my hands on Sasha. The maxi skirt had me drooling.

18. Dressing up in my moms clothes and jewelry

My mom was a dresser honey! The fact that she wore the same size as me; lucky number 4! I love to pay homage to her in little ways to celebrate her life.

19.Buying stuffies

Any one who knows me knows I love a plush stuffed animal. Ive had this big white teddy bear since 2001. Thank you Papa Bear XOXO. My freshman year of college I bought myself a Stitch stuffy from the Disney store, and I carry him around like he's my son.

20. Spending time alone

Although I loved having sleepovers with friends I thoroughly enjoyed spending time alone as a kid and still do as an adult.

21. Standing like penguin

I know, kinda odd. My dad used to get on me about standing with my feet pointed outward. I still catch myself standing like that, I can't help it.

22. Face paint and balloon animals

23.Karaoke

I wanted to be a singer when I was little and would pretend to be a pop star on my karaoke machine. I would sing to the top of my lungs and my brothers would get annoyed.

24. Rereading old cards

I've been collecting cards for years, I never usually ask for gifts. I truly just appreciate a nice afrocentric card.

25. Displaying childhood books

This book by Debbie Allen was my favorite book my dad would read to me at night. Now occasionally I read it to my little sister.

26. Going to the library

I love going to the library with my little sister and finding all the books I read in school. Who remembers David? He was such a bebe kid!

Being childlike has brought me so many joyous and mood boosting moments. I encourage any adult to cater to their inner child. We are so deserving to buy that toy we couldn't get as a kid, or treat ourselves to that favorite meal. I will make it my business to order a Hawaiian pizza this week. We are deserving to be children again. even the Word of God implies that we should look to children as examples of faith. No matter what age we are all God's precious children.

How do you embrace your inner child? I would love to hear from you.