How kind are you to your younger self?

You'll have heard of the term 'Inner Child' - for some, this phraseology is comfortable. For others, not so much. There can be a strong reluctance to recognise this part of ourselves, and it can be interesting to explore why.

Many of us carry emotional scars from childhood, even when we don't always recognise them. These wounds can manifest as self-doubt, unhelpful coping mechanisms, anxiety, or difficulty forming meaningful relationships.

What if we could help heal those wounds by nurturing the 'hurt child' within us?

Understanding and addressing our inner child's needs can be a powerful tool for emotional growth and healing.

In the unique space of a therapy session, it is possible to explore this part of our psyche that holds memories, emotions, and experiences from our childhood, helping us to understand how these early experiences shaped our sense of self, our patterns of behaviour, and how we now view the world.

The inner child can be a source of joy, wonder and creativity. And for many people it also holds the pain of unmet needs, neglect, abandonment or trauma. These wounds from the past can deeply influence our thoughts, actions and emotional responses today.

This pain can come from a variety of sources such as;

Emotional neglect - Not having our emotional needs validated or supported.

Physical or emotional abuse - Experiencing harm that left lasting emotional scars.

Unmet needs - A lack of safety, love, or attention that we craved during childhood.

Loss or abandonment - Experiencing the loss of a parent or caregiver, whether through death, separation, or emotional unavailability.

As adults, we may not always recognise how these wounds affect us. The likelihood is that they will show up in how we relate to others, how we view ourselves, and how we handle stress or difficult emotions. We can move into self sabotage, difficulty with holding boundaries, or have heightened reactions in stressful situations. We can struggle with trusting others, which can lead to a sense of disconnect, and a feeling we are unworthy of love and attention.

So what can we do?

Healing the hurt inner part of ourselves requires compassion and a gentle approach. It is not about blaming ourselves for our past experiences, but about recognising that we can now care for the parts of ourselves that were neglected or harmed. This can begin with acknowledging and validating our pain, moving then into practicing self compassion. It may be important to create a safe space for our inner child, and perhaps move into some re-parenting of that part of us. Allowance to express and release the difficult emotions we have held so close for so long, and an intention then to set new, healthy boundaries that align with our adult selves.

It's never too late to offer yourself and your inner child compassion and kindness. Please reach out if you would like support to do so.