Healing the Inner Child
This week, we’re diving into the topic of the Inner Child in our Mindset Boost. Why focus on the inner child? Because understanding this part of ourselves can reveal when limiting beliefs are taking the lead in our lives, especially those tied to our early experiences.
The “Inner Child” refers to the attachment wounds and developmental interruptions we may have experienced growing up. These wounds often create thought patterns that make us feel small, incompetent, unloved, incapable, alone, not good enough, unheard, unseen, abandoned, or unable to trust. Whether our childhoods felt warm or challenging, most of us carry some of these feelings, as they’re linked to our basic attachment needs.
Identifying these wounds allows us to move forward with greater clarity and compassion. First, it helps us to truly love and accept ourselves, just as we are. Second, it enables us to move beyond the stories we’ve come to believe about ourselves, stories that might make us feel abandoned, unloved, or unimportant. We may have real experiences that made us feel this way, but that doesn’t mean these feelings define who we are. Finally, healing these wounds helps us to approach others with more kindness, understanding, and patience.
Exploring the inner child is a crucial part of the journey to greater self-awareness and well-being. No matter where we are in life, this work empowers us to release limiting beliefs, love ourselves fully, and create healthier, more fulfilling connections with others.
Exploring Your Inner Child: Thoughtful Approaches To Profound Insights
1.The Inner Child Meditation
I created this meditation to help you observe your inner child with curiosity and compassion. It's good to use when you have been triggered or if you just want to make time to understand the inner child better. You will be guided to observe the body, emotions, and thoughts. From there you will be guided to identify the attachment and developmental needs that were not met so that you know where to do the work yourself.
2. Explore Erik Erikson’s Developmental Stages
Our childhood experiences shape many of the beliefs and behaviors we carry into adulthood. According to Erik Erikson’s developmental theory, each stage of our early years presents specific psychological challenges that, when unresolved, can create "wounds" we carry forward. These unaddressed stages often relate to limiting beliefs that impact our sense of worth, trust, autonomy, and competence.
3. Identify and Reframe Your Inner Dialogue
I have created a list of Limiting Beliefs and Reframe options. This guide will help you turn unhelpful thoughts into supportive ones. Each reframe provides a way to acknowledge your current feelings while moving towards a more empowered mindset.