IF: Importance of the Inner Child

Synopsis

As her father receives surgery, a young girl starts to tap into memories from her younger years and remembers what it is like to be a kid again. 

IF is a great example of why it’s important to stay connected to our inner child even as we grow. The protagonist, Bea, very much enjoyed playing and dancing with her parents, but it’s clear that after her mother passed away that that changed. We come to present day to see that her father is getting surgery for a ‘broken heart’ and Bea is a little older now. There is a scene with her grandmother where her grandmother pulls out all her old drawings from when she was younger and Bea tells her grandmother ‘I’m not really a kid anymore, I don’t play with those things now’.

When I heard that line, it was crushing, as we grow up it’s so easy to lose connection with the part of us that found joy in getting dirty, dancing in the kitchen and using our imaginations! Our imagination is more powerful than we think. It is the first building block in manifestation. 

However, as the movie progresses, Bea starts to meet some Imaginary Friends that are starting to be forgotten by their childhood friends that have grown into adults. She decides to help them get reunited with their childhood friends. As she does this, she starts to reconnect with her own imagination and the power behind it. One great example in the movie of this is with the Imaginary Friend named Blue. Bea finds out where Blue’s now adult, childhood friend is. Their mission is to get him to remember who Blue is. Bea finds out from Blue that they bonded over croissants so she buys some and follows Blue’s friend. As they follow him it’s very clear that this man is nervous, but when Bea takes out a croissant and he smells it, he remembers Blue and in turn relaxes and becomes much more confident.

Our inner child is so important to our adult lives. By keeping that connection, we are able to live in joy, have confidence and truly know ourselves.