When was the last time you felt truly, wildly, completely alive?

Somewhere between childhood and adulthood, we traded wonder for worry, play for productivity, and presence for planning. We built neural pathways that taught us to suppress emotions, stay serious, and live in our heads instead of our bodies.

In this episode, I explore why returning to childlike wonder isn’t just about having fun—it’s about rewiring your brain, healing your nervous system, and reconnecting with your most authentic self.

What I cover:

- How we lost our capacity for spontaneous joy and what happened in our brains when we did

- The difference between narrative mode (thinking about life) and experiential mode (actually living it)

- Why your brain can’t tell the difference between imagination and reality—and what that means for your anxiety

- The neuroscience of play: how it activates your parasympathetic nervous system and releases healing neurochemicals

- Why avoiding the present moment keeps uncomfortable emotions frozen in your body

- 6 practical ways to reclaim childlike wonder and presence

The magic you’re looking for isn’t in the next achievement or relationship. It’s right here, right now, in this moment.

Your challenge this week: Give yourself permission to play like a child. Notice how good it feels to drop out of your head and into your body—into the present moment where all of your power lives.

NEXT WEEK: Divine timing, flow states, and the neuroscience of surrender

What’s one way you’ll practice childlike wonder this week? Let me know in the comments!

Ready to take this deeper? Sign up for my free substack community-  where I bring ancient wisdom together with psychology and neuroscience, along with personal stories ⬇️

👉https://substack.com/@rememberingyourmagic?r=6k8eb2&utm_medium=ios

I’ve also got a free mindset shift guide that will help get you out of victim mode and back to creator consciousness ⬇️ 

👉https://stan.store/brendacarl198/p/get-the-powerful-mindset-shift-guide-now-

Victim mindset to creator mindset master guide - from stuck to living your dream life-  https://stan.store/brendacarl198/p/from-victim-to-creator-the-master-guide-

CONNECT WITH ME:

👉Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brenda.l.carl?igsh=Z2JsNWE2dGpjeWFt&utm_source=qr

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#traumahealing #emotionalhealing #selfhealing #personaltransformation #innerwork #shadowwork #healingjourney #reparenting #innerchildwork

#neuroscience #brainhealth #neuroplasticity