Inner Child Work: How I Am Healing by Reparenting Myself

Today's blog post is a little bit more personal than the ones we have been sharing. As I've discussed before, several pieces of our brand are inspired by my life, who I am, and my life experiences. I talk about my personal life in blog posts such as Fall Down Seven Stand Up Eight, and others, but this one feels special. 

I'd like to share with you the story behind my "I'm Worthy" necklace. Growing up, I struggled with feeling deserving of love and attention due to my emotionally unavailable mother. I always felt like I had to prove my worth, that I had to show everyone I was valuable, that I deserved love and to be heard. As a result, I ended up selecting the wrong partners as an adult. I always prioritized their preferences over my own, seeking their approval above my own.

After ending an 18-year marriage, I started my healing journey where I realized I had deep abandonment wounds. This has been a journey of self-discovery where I have learned that the only validation that truly matters is the one I gave myself, which is what will bring me true happiness. My healing journey has been about prioritizing my needs and practicing self-love. 

In this post, I want to share with you the six healing strategies I’ve been following to reparent my inner child.

Listening to what my inner child has to say and validating her feelings

Healing from abandonment can be a difficult and painful process, but it is essential to move forward and find peace. One of the most important steps in this process is learning to listen to your inner child and validate their feelings. Your inner child is the part of you that holds onto the pain of abandonment and neglect, and it is essential to give them a voice and acknowledge their pain.

To begin this process, find a quiet and safe space where you can be alone with your thoughts. Take some deep breaths and focus on your inner self. Imagine your inner child standing in front of you, and listening to what she has to say. She may express feelings of sadness, anger, or fear, but it is important to validate these feelings and let her know that it is okay to feel that way.

Daily meditation practice

Meditation is a powerful tool that can be used to promote healing in the body, mind, and spirit. When we take the time to sit quietly and focus our attention on our breath or a particular object, we activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps to calm the body and reduce stress.

Meditation has been an incredible part of my healing journey. It allows me to reconnect with myself. 

Practice self-compassion

Forgiving yourself for past mistakes and not loving yourself enough can be challenging. However, practicing self-compassion is a vital step towards healing. It involves acknowledging that you did your best with the resources available to you at the time. This understanding is key to forgiving yourself and moving forward. Self-compassion is an ongoing practice throughout life. 

Embracing moments that bring me joy

Embracing moments that bring you joy can be a powerful way to start the healing process. Our inner child holds onto past pain and trauma, and by embracing joy and finding activities that make us happy, we can help our inner child feel safe and loved. 

For me, healing my emotional wounds has been a self-discovery journey as well. I stopped thinking about what makes others happy and started thinking about what makes me happy.

Daily affirmations 

Daily affirmations can be a powerful tool for self-healing and self-improvement. They may sound simple, but they have the power to change the way we think and feel about ourselves. For some, it may seem silly to talk to themselves in this way, but the truth is that we all need to hear positive and affirming messages.

The "I am Worthy" necklace is a beautiful reminder of the power of affirmations. It represents everything that you never believed about yourself, and serves as a daily reminder that you are deserving of love, respect, and happiness. 

Therapy

Therapy is an invaluable tool for healing emotional wounds. It provides individuals with a supportive environment to address past traumas, navigate complex emotions, and develop healthy coping mechanisms. 

Final Thoughts

The process of healing is not always straightforward. It can be painful and involve separating yourself from situations or people that no longer serve you. Sometimes, this means letting go of individuals who were once important to you but who now only exacerbate your pain. It’s a difficult process but it’s a rewarding one as well. You discover a new you that you didn’t know existed, and you learn to navigate life and its difficulties with a new outlook.