The Inner Child: Healing Your Wounded Self

What is the Inner Child?

The 5-year-old, 10-year-old, 15-year-old me still lives within us. Especially the me from moments of hurt remains in my unconscious with time stopped. This is called the Inner Child.

Signals of a Wounded Inner Child

• Overreacting to trivial matters (anger, tears)
• Clinging to relationships for fear of abandonment
• Unable to believe praise even when received
• Suffering from perfectionism

Inner Child Healing Practice

Step 1: Look at childhood photos and write a letter to that me.

Step 2: Say “The feelings you had then were natural. It’s not your fault.”

Step 3: Imagine the adult me now hugging the child me.

Reparenting

Give yourself what your parents couldn’t give. Practice saying “Good job”, “It’s okay”, “I love you” to yourself.