Many of us can easily recognise that we may have needed more love, support and guidance growing up. We are more than happy to try and impart such nurturing qualities to younger people who we come across in our lives. Some of us even take up careers or even start families with the primary function of trying to give children/youth a better life than we had growing up.
However, rarely do we stop and think about
the support our inner child continues to need on a day to day basis, navigating the ups and downs of life. Yes, our inner child exists. Most of us spend a lot of our lives denying this fact or running away from a critical historic and present part of who we are. Perhaps out of fear from childhood trauma, perhaps out of the discomfort of admitting what makes us vulnerable. Or maybe because it feels too difficult to face. Regardless, how we treat the most vulnerable, creative and impressionable part of ourselves, dictates how we manifest all our unique qualities, good, bad, crazy, magnificent, in our everyday lives. It may feel scary to even consider how connected this all is.
However, it is never too late to teach yourself how to set boundaries.
It is never too late to learn how to better communicate your feelings.
It is not too late to learn how to not project your insecurities. Not too late to learn how to pamper when you need it. It is not too late to start trying to listen to the inner most vulnerable part of you. It never too late to learn to not over-criticise yourself.
It is not too late to speak positivity over your own life.
Your inner child is deserving of love and nurture. It is a necessity even if we choose to ignore it. Just as parenting is not a part time job, we deserve the continued love and support we may or may not have once had growing up.
If we can understand that support and nurture of youth strongly contributes to who they become as adults, we should try to understand how the support and nurture (or lack thereof) of our inner child affects us consistently as adults. The most important but often most neglected child in our lives is our inner child. Understandably, trying to address this can be challenging.
Therapy, speaking to a counsellor, support groups, loved ones who are supportive are good ways to help. Journalling, mindfulness activities and doing more fun and creative things can also be helpful. If you’re not yet comfortable to speak to people, to begin with, looking online for resources can also help. This work can feel like healing wounds you never knew you had. Try to be open to support.
It is worth a try. You deserve it.
Jaaay
J writes 