Healing Burnout as a Freelancer by Reconnecting with Your Inner Child

Publication Date

August 2, 2023

Summary

I talk about one of the most unexpected—but powerful—tools I’ve used to heal burnout in my freelance business: inner child work.

Freelancer Burnout: My Story

When I hit burnout again last year, it was the third time it had happened since going full-time as a freelancer. Each time, it got worse. To the point of physical illness.

Even after adjusting my workload and taking time off to recover, I could still feel burnout lurking. That panicked, anxious, exhausted feeling never fully went away.

Then a friend suggested something I never expected:

“You might need to work on your inner child.”

Spoiler: it changed everything.

What Is Inner Child Work?

Your inner child is a metaphorical part of you. It holds your earliest memories, experiences, and emotions—both joyful and painful.

As adults, those early experiences shape:

How we handle stress
How we respond to feedback
How we manage our energy, time, and relationships

Sometimes, the child inside us still feels like they have something to prove. Or that rest isn’t safe. Or that play is “unproductive.”

Inner child work is about reconnecting with those younger parts of ourselves—nurturing them, listening to them, and helping them feel safe.

What Does Your Inner Child Have to Do with Freelance Burnout?

So much more than you’d think.

When we ignore our emotional needs, bury stress, or try to “push through” exhaustion, we create the perfect conditions for burnout. Again and again.

Here’s how an unhealed inner child can show up in your work life:

Fear of rejection or criticism
Taking feedback too personally
Low self-worth or imposter syndrome
People-pleasing and lack of boundaries
Perfectionism and procrastination
Trouble resting or “doing nothing”
Feeling overwhelmed all the time
Creative blocks or loss of inspiration

Sound familiar?

When you start to nurture your inner child, you may notice:

More creative energy
Fewer emotional blocks
Increased motivation and clarity
A renewed sense of play and curiosity

How to Reconnect with Your Inner Child

Here’s what helped me most:

1. The Artist’s Way Workbook

While I didn’t love the essays in the full version, the workbook exercises were gold. You can get it on its own (and it’s often on sale).

This was the starting point for me—and I can’t recommend it enough. (This isn’t an affiliate link. I just genuinely love it.)

2. Creative Expression

Journaling, painting, collage, cooking, crafting—anything that feels tactile, fun, and pressure-free.

3. Physical Play

Get silly. Dance. Jump in puddles. Build a pillow fort. Move your body for joy, not productivity.

4. Home Refreshes

Move your desk by the window. Make a cozy reading nook. Rearrange your space to feel more playful or comforting.

Try This: Reconnect with Your Inner Child This Week

Food: List your 10 favorite foods from childhood. Pick one up at the grocery store.
Wants: Write down 5 things you wanted as a kid. Buy one for yourself. (I got an Alphasmart 2000—no regrets.)
Play: Finger paint, bake cookies, knit, dance, build LEGOs, garden. Let yourself enjoy something for no reason.
Rearrange: Make a reading fort or play space just for you. Channel little-you’s dream room setup.
Move: Go cannonball into a pool. Dance in the rain. Climb something. Do cartwheels in your yard.

FAQ’s About Freelance Burnout + Inner Child Work

What is inner child work, exactly?

Inner child work is the process of reconnecting with your younger self—especially the parts that still hold onto pain, shame, or fear from your early years.

How does this help with burnout?

Burnout often stems from ignoring your emotional needs, overworking, or perfectionism. Inner child work helps you feel safe enough to rest, play, and enjoy your work again.

Do I have to do therapy for this to work?

Therapy can be helpful, but you don’t have to go that route to get started. Journaling, play, and reflection exercises (like in The Artist’s Way Workbook) are powerful on their own.

How often should I do inner child work?

Even 5–10 minutes a day can make a difference. Think of it as maintenance for your emotional well-being.

Where can I learn more about this?

Try:

The Artist’s Way Workbook
Inner child meditations on Insight Timer or YouTube
Journaling prompts around play, rest, and safety

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