Did you know that many people have inner child work to do? Sometimes this child needs to be healed from the past.

It starts as an adult – we come face to face with our inner child, and it happens at different times in our lives depending on what we’re going through. Unfortunately, our inner child may be wounded or badly damaged almost beyond repair. But there’s always an inner child work that can get to the root of the problem.

Understanding inner child work

If you’re not familiar with any of this, and you think you’ve left your inner child behind decades ago, it’s okay. We can take it slow and examine the true existence of this part of you, and we can learn why healing your inner child is so important.

The reason inner child healing helps so much is that it gradually removes the deep-seated low self-esteem you try to hide. It also removes the lies you believe about yourself. Healing of this nature can completely change the way you see yourself in adult life. Trust me, that little child inside wants to be heard and understood.

How to heal your inner child? Exercises and techniques

There is a child inside each one of us in our life. Who comes out in front of the person we are most comfortable with.

There is a child inside each one of us in our life, who comes out in front of the person we are most comfortable with.
-Unknown

Several inner child healing exercises can transform your present and future. And when you think back on the past after healing, you will also see a few other things that happened differently. Here are a few ways to jump-start that inner child healing.

1. Look at photographs

Healing your inner child starts with seeing him/her again. You can’t look into the mirror and see that little round face anymore, but you can look at photographs. I was one of those children who had relatives that thought it was important to take thousands of pictures of me, so I get to look at lots of them. Maybe this is true of you as well. But you don’t have to look at loads of them. All you need is one picture.

Now, as you look at that picture, let the image burn into your brain. You want to be able to close your eyes and see yourself as a child. This helps you in many healing processes as you deal with that little child, and as you speak with them inside your mind. Learn every little detail – remember the curls of your hair, the color of your eyes, and the shape of your face. This is you, and this is where you start.

2. Meditation

After you’ve remembered the physical aspects of yourself, it’s time to try inner child meditation. Yes, you heard me right. It’s time to find a quiet place, practice clearing your mind of all distractions, and reaching out for yourself. I know it sounds strange, but reaching out is reaching within, open, and willing to make a connection with an entity that still exists, partially separate from you.

It’s a past representation that can still be found in that secret place we all have. Let your inner child just dwell in the present with you, fell them there, and make sure you’re emitting welcoming vibes to keep them there.

growing up as an old soul

3. Emotions

As you start to think more and more about your inner child, you will remember things. There will be good things and bad things. Don’t push away the negative aspects of your childhood, not even the damaging and traumatic episodes.

Sit with these inner child exercises and appreciate every single emotion. Healing cannot be complete without facing the emotions you felt as a child along with the emotions you feel now. Some of them will come together as one when you do this.

4. Patterns

When continuing with the inner child work, the time will come when patterns emerge. You will be looking at pictures of yourself, meditating, and connecting with emotions, but then patterns will manifest. This is a good thing.

As patterns start, recognize some of the things you’ve done as a child as some of the same things you do today. This will show you a direct line to where your problems come from. If you felt neglected as a child, it could be why you feel that way now. As you recognize more and more of these patterns, you will start to learn how to change them.

5. Speak to yourself

During all these other processes, you still haven’t actually spoken to the child inside. It’s time. Tell them that you’re sorry for what they went through, and give thanks for their bravery in tough situations, the bravery that helped you to survive.

When you feel that your inner child wishes to speak, then listen. Make sure they know you hear them. And show them, love. Maybe not loving your childhood self is the reason you don’t love yourself as an adult. Just open up that dialogue for inner child healing.

6. Write a letter

That child you used to be may have loved getting letters from their aunt or uncle. So, sit down and write a letter to the inner little one inside the man. I cannot tell you exactly what to write, but putting any lingering emotions on paper always helps cultivate that warmth that brings true healing. Journaling your thoughts has always been a good way to heal, and doing this same thing for your inner child is also important.

Inner child healing takes time

rainbow children

I often think of my inner child and my childhood home. I get this pang in my chest wishing I could go back there and change so many things. But I cannot do this. That’s why it’s so important to heal the inner child and move on in life. Not only will this bring you peace, but it will also reveal a strength within that you never knew existed.

Although inner child work can be heartbreaking at times as you relive the past, the growth that comes from this process is worth the pain. Start today, looking at those pictures and recognizing that little child. Then go on and get acquainted.

I hope this brings you peace.

References:

  1. https://www.mindbodygreen.com
  2. https://www.psychologytoday.com

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This Post Has 2 Comments

  1. Kate Gladstone

    Re:
    “ But you don’t have to look at loads of them. All you need is one picture.”

    What can I do when I _do_ _not_ _have_ one picture?

  2. Nancy, MFT

    Draw a picture of an early childhood memory. This itself will be therapeutic. Use the image for the questions above

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