The Child Still Living Inside You

No matter how old we become, there is still a younger version of ourselves living within us.

Our inner child is a vital and very real aspect of our psychology. Even late in life, they continue to hold much of the innocence, joy, playfulness and curiosity that nourish our adult lives.

But our inner child can also hold pain.

Experiences that were too confusing, frightening or overwhelming to process when we were young can remain deeply imprinted within us. The child may grow older physically, but parts of their emotional experience can remain stuck at the age when the hurt occurred.

This is why inner child work appears in so many different healing modalities. It can be an essential part of deeper healing.

When the Past Shows Up in the Present

As adults, we don't always recognise when our younger self has been activated.

We might suddenly feel rejected, abandoned, frightened, ashamed or not good enough. Our reaction can seem much bigger than the situation in front of us.

Sometimes that's because the present moment has touched something much older.

A part of us remembers.

Instead of judging these reactions, we can become curious about them.

How old does this part of me feel?

What are they afraid of?

What did they need then that they didn't receive?

These questions can begin to change our relationship with ourselves.

Becoming the Adult You Needed

When we reconnect with our younger self, something powerful becomes possible.

We can bring all the strengths, understanding and resources of our adult self back to the child who didn't have them.

We can meet them in their confusion and stuckness.

We can offer the love, empathy, reassurance and protection they needed.

We can remind them that they no longer have to face everything alone.

Even on one of your worst days, adult you is a superhero to that child.

You know things they didn't know.

You have choices they didn't have.

You can protect them in ways they couldn't protect themselves.

And, perhaps most importantly, you can finally listen.

Don't Leave Them There

Inner child healing isn't about endlessly living in the past.

It's about bringing the parts of ourselves that became stuck there safely into the present.

The younger you survived long enough for you to become the person you are today.

Now you have an opportunity to return the favour.

Check in with them.

Listen to them.

Protect them.

Love them.

Let's not leave them struggling alone for another moment.

They need present-day you right now.