Inner Child
The inner child is the part of you that still carries your earliest experiences, emotions, and unmet needs. It holds both the wounds of not being fully seen and the playful wonder you may have buried to survive.
Where the Inner Child Comes From
We all carry an inner child—the imprint of how we were parented, treated, and taught about our worth. When those needs for safety, love, or validation went unmet, parts of us froze at that age. That child self still lives inside, shaping how we react today.
It can show up in overreactions, people-pleasing, or the ache you feel when someone ignores you. But it’s also the spark of joy when you dance, play, or laugh so hard you forget the performance. Your inner child is not just wounds—it’s wisdom waiting to be re-parented.
Signs You’re Meeting Your Inner Child
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You feel triggered in ways that feel “younger” than your current age
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You struggle with shame that traces back to childhood messages
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You feel joy or playfulness when you let go of being “the adult in the room”
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You crave validation from authority figures, even now
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You avoid emotions because they feel “too big”
Why It’s Not Your Fault
You didn’t choose how your early needs were met or denied. The child part of you adapted brilliantly to survive—by shrinking, performing, or hardening. Reconnecting with that part isn’t weakness; it’s the most courageous way to integrate the past and free your present.
First Step to Rewrite the Pattern
Write a letter to your younger self, telling her what you wish she’d heard then: “You weren’t too much. You deserved care. You are safe now.” Let it be messy. The act of writing is an act of re-parenting.
Related Terms
Want to reconnect with your inner child and integrate her wisdom?
→ Start with The Rewrite™: 7-week program to end self-abandonment and build radical self-trust.
