How Creativity Can Heal your Inner Child…

Virgil Abloah for Nike

I recently saw a post with a quote from world famous producer, artist, and creative director, Pharrell Williams in which he said – “I’m doing this for my 17-year-old self.” The late Virgil Abloh, had also said he was creating because he wanted to make his 16-year-old self proud. As an adult both of these creative powerhouses honor their inner child. Their creative spirit performs at such a high level that that’s their legacy -- leaving their artistic foot print in the world for generations to come.

Abloh, (rest in peace) made such an artistic impact that even his death was done in a creative way – he told no one he was sick (even though he knew for years) and we were all shocked when it was revealed that he passed away. He was very intentional in everything he did, how his legacy was to play out and moved quickly to push out so many impactful projects in the last year of his life. His fans were shocked at his sudden death, giving him respect even more and honoring his authentic essence in the way he played it all out.

One of his dreams was to be a Creative Director at a major European fashion house. This came to fruition in 2018 (3 years before his death) when he was appointed the position at Louis Vuitton Men’s. Ironically, shortly after his death, Pharrell became Creative Director of the house which he still holds to this day. He continues to operate at an extremely high level of creativity while Abloh’s genius is still felt to this day with the work he’s left behind.

Both men are an example of what it means to live by honoring their inner child.

Pharrell sees through the eyes of his inner child, this has allowed him to consistently view things from a curious and fresh lens. Having this outlook also allows him to play and nurture his inner child. He hasn’t “grown up” or lost the wonder and excitement in his Spirit, it’s allowed him the ability to continuously be artistic. He knows exactly who he is, knows how to taps in and is confident in the outcome. Pharrell is living in his purpose, utilizing the fullest potential of his creative spirit. This is why he hasn’t aged, he literally looks like he’s 25.

Pharrell Williams for Harpar's Baazar April 2025

As adults we have forgotten to play. For a lot of us, the world has shaped us into being people that we didn’t ask to be. If we are lucky, we love our jobs and so it’s not a big deal, every day is fun. According to the 2024 Gallup polls, only 1 in 3 workers in the US enjoy what they do, that’s 33% of the population. If you were to get that score on a test you would have failed miserably.

Between bills, family, keeping up with the Jones’s and numerous other responsibilities, we are stressed. Most of us depressed and stuck in the rut of survival in what seems like and endless cycle. Our innocence has been robbed from us. Once adult hood hit we had to fit ourselves into these societal norms that might not have been what our heart really wanted. A lot of us squeezed into shoes that were never our size.

So, life has taken a hold of us and buried our childhood dreams out of existence. Maybe you wanted to be an artist, but that seemed like a pipe dream. Who makes money doing that? Or perhaps you really like to draw, write, or paint but put all of that on the back burner because no one has time to play with paints. That was then and this is reality.

I’m here to tell you that there as long as you’re living you deserve to play. You deserve to release that inner child. It’s never too late to tap in. In fact, it’s a must, if you feel like your life is mundane, you absolutely need to play! And the good thing is you are right on time. You are never too old to tap into your creative juice. It’s mandatory at this point. Your soul is aching to make that million-dollar art piece, it’s ready to come to life. Don’t even say it’s far-fetched, you haven’t even tried.   

So what does the creative dream for your inner child look like? How can you honor it as an adult? The first step is exploring, then being honest, and dreaming big (yes, BIG, it doesn’t matter how old you are). Once you figure this out, act. Carve out the time on your schedule dedicated to play and try your best to stay committed to honoring that time for yourself.

Start with half an hour and work up to an hour dedicated to art, fun, learning a new skill, or anything else that activates your creative juices.

How does it heal my inner child?

Taking the time to create allows you to consciously re-parent yourself by reclaiming your time to explore the part of you that was shut out as a child. When you review your childhood, your creative action is rewriting your story, and healing. Who did you want to be before the world told you who you should be? This is one way to figure that out.

Creating as an adult gives you the freedom to express yourself without judgement. You are creating a safe space to be you and unlock a level of yourself that has been suppressed with stored emotions. You are taking back your power by making your own rules for your creative process. It also heals shame and helps you re-build your self-worth.

While some of us may be reluctant to activating this part of themselves and that’s ok. We all play our part in this big world. But for those of you who are open to it and feel like you’re missing something in your life, aware of a mundane existence, or feel like you’ve blocked your dream of having a creative life, this is your que to get moving. There’s a big world waiting to feel your presence! Make that inner teenage you proud!

Inner Child Affirmation – “You’re free now, and it’s safe to play. I will never silence you again”

Reccomended books:

• The Artist Way - By Julia Cameron

• The Creative Way A Way of Being - By Rick Rubin