The beginner guide to healing and finding peace
Before I begin...
I would like to take this time to welcome you to the Nomi Xin Wellness Blog! If you haven't already after you have taken the time to look over the different aspects of the blog, head over and give my socials a look as well. For those that have stumbled on the blog from my socials, welcome to the website, as promised!
I hope you find what you are looking for or if there is something you would like more information on or would like to discuss personally with me click here! This link will take you to my call page where you can request a personal phone call with me and we can chat. If you would like to also show your support and give input please click here. This link will take you to a free contact form that helps me get to know my readers and better formulate a posting schedule and give you what you are looking for!
Please keep in mind, this is a general overview of the magic that is the inner child and each aspect touched on will have its post! You can also find more discussions on my socials where I dive more into how the inner child lives into a person's adult life. Without further adieu, let's jump right in!
What is the Inner Child?
The Inner Child is part of the subconscious mind that holds memories, suppressed emotions, and the personality of your child self. This part of your brain is one of the few pieces that will directly communicate with your soul and body. What this means, the inner child is the part of the mind that remains dormant and shows in the form of triggers, joy, and expression. While many believe the inner child is a happy little only found in memories, they miss the bigger picture of who the inner child is and its true importance.
One of the biggest aspects of the inner child and how it affects adults is the repressed memories and emotions. While many will see this in the form of being excited over rain or seeing a cute puppy, the inner child is much larger and even deeper. Not only is the part of you that keeps you "feeling like a child" (Harley Therapy(HT)) but it also holds memories. In this example, instead of thinking of seeing the puppy and still being excited, it is more 'I got excited when I saw the puppy because as I child I remember how happy I was when I played with puppies.' This is the inner child in a nutshell. Your inner child holds the memories of your life and gives your subconscious signals to the brain that allow you to react accordingly.
In a different example, the inner child also stores negative memories and emotions. For instance, if a child is told by relatives, teachers, etc. that they are "not smart enough" or "don't have what it takes," the child will subconsciously believe it to be true; this then will follow into adulthood. That is why self-doubt even has room to exist! As a child, you may have been doubted, belittled, or even pushed aside- this creates a mental tether to your self-worth (which by the way is never defined by how you are treated). So, when an adult feels incapable or inadequate, this stems from the inner child tugging at your sleeve because they are scared of their past.
One of the more intriguing aspects (in my opinion) of the inner child, is their growth into an adult intuition and emotional intelligence. One of the lesser-understood parts of being an adult is their emotional intelligence. Emotional intelligence is the capacity to be aware of, control, and express one's emotions, and to handle interpersonal relationships judiciously and empathetically (Oxford Dictionary). The emotional intelligence of an adult stems from their inner child, let me explain! Someone who grew up with full freedom to express emotion and personality will be more adaptable to having control over their emotions than someone who was not able to. For example, a child who grew up in a home with argumentative guardians will be more likely to have little to no control over their anger and will be more likely to "act up" and even lash out! This is due to the lack of emotional regulation exposure.
One of my favorite examples of the inner child and how it follows into adulthood is the movie Megamind! While it is seen as a child movie, the meaning runs deeper. If you remember, in the very beginning, he blatantly describes his home as "broken" and loses his family and home. Not only that, but he also falls into a prison and is raised by the inmates. Metroman, on the other hand, floats down to Earth and lands in the home of a happy couple on Christmas. While extreme, this describes how the inner child progression starts almost perfectly! Megamind spent his nights coming up with inventions and even for a short time, looked up to Metroman. Why is this? Humans, no matter the age, crave acceptance and to 'fit in.' This perfectly mirrors the inner child's development and how their surroundings and the people in their life affect their future. I could honestly create an entire post about this (DM me "Megamind" on Instagram if you want a full explanation blog) but for the sake of saving time, I will leave it here for now.
Lastly, we talked about how your childhood personality plays into your adult life, but what does that mean? Similarly to the puppy example, your inner child's personality follows into adult life, just more sophisticated. Think about what your dreams were as a child. Did you want to be a doctor?- Maybe you wanted to live in a big house on a hill or a skyline-view penthouse? Now, take a look at the life you currently live, do you have what your inner child always wanted? Does your life look the way you thought it would? Do you feel successful in the life that you have lived or fulfilled life every day when you wake up in the morning? If your answer is no, or you feel like there is more you want from this life, that is your inner child tugging at your sleeve.
With all this said, take a look at what your dreams are, what you want from your future, and the role your inner child plays in the betterment of your day-to-day life. Take the time to address the parts of yourself left buried or maybe even the painful and uncomfortable realities of your past. The pain in your chest, the hope in your step, and the "gut feelings" you feel in your soul are your inner child guiding you and proof that it's alive and living inside you.
If you liked this post, follow along on my socials! While I am not a licensed therapist, all information is collected from therapy resources and personal experience. Nomi Xin Wellness was created to educate and help others along their healing journey.
Cited Sources
Darcy, Andrea M. “What Is the ‘Inner Child’?” Harley TherapyTM Blog, 13 Mar. 2023, www.harleytherapy.co.uk/counselling/what-is-the-inner-child.htm.
Megamind. Directed by Tom McGrath, DreamWorks, 2010.
Commentaires