INNER CHILD HEALING
How to recognize and heal the wounded inner child
SIGNS OF AN UNHEALED INNER CHILD WOUND
feeling reactive
poor mental and emotional health
repressing emotions out of shame
overvaluing independence
self-sabotaging behaviors
repeated relationship patterns
fear of abandonment
people pleasing tendencies and guilt
lack of or too many boundaries
difficult relationships with family
repressing emotions out of shame
self-criticism and low self-esteem
WAYS TO HELP HEAL YOUR INNER CHILD
practice soothing self-talk, be mindful of how you speak to yourself and about yourself
spend time playing outside - swimming, outdoor sports, playing in sand, gardening, riding a bike, going for a walk/walking your pets
breath work and identifying triggers
an example of how to work through this is during times of stress, pick a color and identify everything in the room of that color
draw, paint, finger-paint, color, cook, read, do a puzzle, play a board game
practice patience with yourself and others
start a collection of something you love
have an open-mind
listen to your intuition
watch a favorite childhood show or movie
eat a meal you loved growing up
use your imagination
journal and meditate
a meditation I love is to close your eyes and imagine yourself at seven years old. Walk up to the younger version of yourself and give yourself a hug. What is the facial expression on younger you's face? Spend time with this.​
INNER CHILD JOURNAL PROMPTS
What did I do for fun as a child?
Who were my favorite teachers and why?
What did I daydream about as a kid?
What was the toughest thing I went through as a child? Why was it so hard?
What were the consequences of bad behavior growing up in my house?
Did I fear my parents growing up? If so, why?
Who hurt me the most during my childhood? How did they hurt me? Am I able to forgive them now?
Did I enjoy going to school growing up? Why or why not?
Write a letter to your inner child and say all the things you wish you were told as a kid.
What is a quality I had as a child that I wish I still had now? Why?
What was my dream job as a child?
What was the most helpful thing my parents did while raising me?
What is my inner child most afraid of?
What was my favorite memory or tradition as a child?
Did I find it easy or hard to make friends growing up?
Was I allowed to express my emotional needs growing up?
Do I feel like my parents allowed me to express my true self growing up?
Was I sensitive as a child? Am I sensitive today?
What am I grateful for from my childhood?