Remember when movement used to feel like freedom?
When running wasn’t a chore, but a race to the swing set?
When climbing, rolling, and dancing happened just because?
For many of us in our 30s and 40s, those days feel like a distant memory. We’ve traded tree climbing for team meetings, spontaneous cartwheels for scheduled gym sessions. Somewhere along the way, the joy of moving got buried under the pressure to be productive, efficient, and “fit.”
And now, even though we want to move, and our bodies crave it, we can’t seem to stay motivated.
Spoiler alert: Your inner child hasn’t gone anywhere. And reconnecting with them might be the missing link between you and a movement practice you actually look forward to.
The Problem Isn’t Motivation; It’s Meaning
Traditional fitness often frames movement as something to endure. Burn calories. Tone this. Tighten that. Hustle. Grind. Get it done.
But if you used to love dancing, surfing, playing tag, or tumbling around on the floor, then this kind of punishment-based movement just doesn’t feel right. It’s no wonder motivation fizzles out. I personally hate running or any kind of repetitive exercise. I need variety in my exercise, otherwise I just get so bored!
When movement has no spark, your brain quickly labels it as another “should”; and your nervous system resists.
But movement that feels playful, exploratory, or creative? That’s movement with meaning. That’s movement your inner child recognizes. And that’s the kind of movement your body wants to return to - again and again.
Who Is Your Inner Child?
Your inner child isn’t some cheesy self-help concept. It’s the part of you that remembers joy for joy’s sake. It’s that younger version of you who used to skip instead of walk, laugh while upside-down, and make up obstacle courses out of furniture.
They weren’t counting reps. They weren’t “working out.”
They were just moving — for the fun of it.
That part of you still exists. And tapping into it can reignite your love for movement, even if it’s been years.
So let’s just check in with ourselves here. Can you ask yourself right now, “when did I lose my curiosity for play?”
What Happens When You Move Like a Kid Again
Here’s what starts to shift when you invite your inner child into your workouts:
- You stop obsessing over outcomes and start enjoying the process.
(Play doesn’t need a goal. It is the goal.) - You rewire your brain to associate movement with pleasure, not endurance.
- You’re more likely to be consistent; because it feels good, not forced.
- You stop thinking “I don’t have time” and start thinking “I get to do this.”
- You unlock creative, functional movement patterns that help you feel more alive - not just more toned.
So, if you’re ready to open your heart and mind for playful movement again, then read on!
3 Ways to Reconnect with Your Inner Child Through Movement
You don’t need to sign up for gymnastics or buy a trampoline (although, hey, no judgment if you do). Here are a few simple ways to bring play back into your practice:
1. Crawl, Roll, and Rock
Your body still remembers these primal patterns from childhood, and they’re amazing for strength, coordination, and mobility. Try a short movement flow where you crawl like a bear, roll across your mat, or rock on your back like a happy baby.
No mirrors. No expectations. Just movement for movement’s sake.
2. Make It a Game
Set up a playful challenge: How many different ways can you get from one side of the room to the other without using your feet? Or: Can you balance on one leg while brushing your teeth? Little games like these wake up your brain and your body.
3. Dance Like No One’s Watching (Because They’re Not)
Put on your favorite childhood song - yes, even that 90s pop hit - and dance for one full track. No choreography. Just movement. Silly, awkward, weird and wonderful movement.
This is your inner child’s language. Speak it.
Final Thoughts: The Best Workout Is the One You’ll Actually Do
If you’ve been struggling to stay consistent, beating yourself up for skipping workouts, or feeling bored and uninspired by the same old routines… maybe it’s not you.
Maybe it’s the way movement has been packaged and sold to you.
What if the answer isn’t more discipline, but more delight?
Your inner child remembers what that feels like.
They’re just waiting for you to invite them out to play.