April is Stress Awareness Month. The intent of this global month-long event is to improve understanding of the causes and symptoms of stress, as well the importance of prioritizing stress relief and mitigation as part of a healthy lifestyle that includes generous levels of mental self-care. Stress can sometimes be driven by underlying distress vs. external circumstances. Today we discuss how to heal your inner child to find peace.
What Does It Mean to Have a Wounded Inner Child?
Many of us have internal struggles as adults that originate from ill-processed events or circumstances that arose during our early lives.
When we refer to our inner child, this represents that part of us that is still wounded from difficult or traumatic situations that were not processed effectively when we were younger.
Factors that may contribute to a wounded inner child include childhood traumas and unmet emotional needs.
By acknowledging and nurturing our inner child, we can create a foundation of self-love, self-worth, and emotional well-being.
Why Is It Essential to Heal Our Inner Child?
It is easy to brush off the significance of events that occurred so long ago, especially if we seem to ‘doing fine’ accordingly to the arbitrary measures society considers to be hallmarks of success or happiness.
But the impact of unresolved trauma and pain can be far-reaching.
In fact, it may influence virtually every aspect of our lives. It may create ongoing stress that undermines and permeates each moment.
Until we are free of it, we don’t realize how much distress we have borne.
Nor do we begin to understand what may drive some of our unhealthy adult behaviors.
If we are able to process previously unresolved issues, it can bring profound healing, growth and peace, to our lives.
The First Step to Heal Your Inner Child
The first step in healing your inner child is to recognize and acknowledge the wounds that exist within you.
Take some time to reflect on your past and identify any painful or traumatic experiences from your childhood.
This could include neglect, abandonment, criticism, or any other form of emotional or physical abuse.
Acknowledging these wounds is essential to your healing journey.
We Must Validate Our Feelings to Heal Our Inner Child
Once you’ve identified the wounds, it’s important to validate the emotions associated with them.
Allow yourself to feel and express the pain, anger, sadness, or fear that may arise.
Give yourself permission to grieve for the experiences you missed out on or the love and nurturing you didn’t receive.
Understanding that your feelings are valid and deserve to be heard is a critical step towards healing.
Self-Compassion is Essential to Heal Your Inner Child
Healing your inner child requires showing yourself the same love, compassion, and understanding that you deserved as a child.
Treat yourself kindly and gently, just as you would comfort a scared or hurt child.
Practice positive self-talk and affirmations, reminding yourself that you are worthy of love and healing.
As you continue heal your inner child, you have the opportunity to re-parent yourself in a healthy and nurturing way.
Pay attention to your needs and prioritize self-care.
Develop daily practices that bring you joy and comfort, such as journaling, spending time in nature, or engaging in activities that make you feel safe and loved.
Be the loving, supportive adult for your inner child that you may not have had growing up.
Please also visit: How to Heal Your Inner Child: 7 Powerful Affirmations.
Seek Professional Help to Help Heal Your Inner Child
Healing your inner child can be a complex and emotional process.
It may be beneficial to seek support from a therapist or counselor who specializes in inner child work.
A trained professional can guide you through the healing journey, provide tools and techniques, and offer a safe space for you to express and process your emotions.
The Need to Practice Forgiveness
Forgiveness is an integral part of healing your inner child.
This includes forgiving yourself for any self-blame or guilt you may hold, as well as forgiving those who may have hurt you in the past.
Forgiveness doesn’t mean forgetting or condoning the actions that caused harm but rather releasing the emotional burden and freeing yourself from the pain and resentment.
How to Heal Your Inner Child
Healing your inner child is an ongoing process that requires patience, self-compassion, and a commitment to your own growth and well-being.
Do your best to open your heart and celebrate each step forward, no matter how small.
By healing your inner child, you can create a solid foundation of self-love, that will allow you to live a more joyful and authentic life.
Thank you as always for reading.
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Joan Senio is the founder of KindCompassCoach. Joan’s career includes clinical healthcare plus 20+ years as an executive in a nationwide health care system and 15 years as a consultant. The common threads throughout Joan’s personal and professional life are a commitment to non-profit organizations, mental health, compassionate coaching, professional development and servant leadership. Joan has had the privilege of mentoring early and mid-career professionals as well as current and future executives and leaders. She is a member of the International Organization of Life Coaches, serves as a thought-leader for KuelLife.com and is also a regular contributor to PsychReg and Sixty and Me. You can read more about Joan here: Joan Senio.
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