Who is the Inner Child?

Getting to Know Your Emotional Self

The inner child is not a literal person inside you, but a metaphor for your emotional heartbeat.

It is the deepest, most tender part of our being, one we often haven't known how to access or control.

In order to heal our lives, it is absolutely necessary that we begin by connecting with this most vulnerable part of us.

The Container of All Emotions

This part of us is what holds the full spectrum of our emotions, both positive and negative.

It is home to our capacity for joy, curiosity, play, and unconditional, spontaneous love.

However, this inner child is also the part of us that carries all our pain and stores our anger.

It is where our deepest longings reside, such as the need for intimacy, affection, and to be nurtured.

The Shelter from Wounds and Traumas

The inner child emerges when we experience traumas that are too overwhelming for us to emotionally process at the time.

As a defense mechanism, we fragment our personality and store the pain in this internal compartment in order to survive.

Thus, our inner child becomes the place where all of our unprocessed wounds and past traumas reside.

Even if we forget these traumatic events, they remain engraved in our unconscious and are automatically reactivated in similar situations.

Anxiety as the Voice of the Frightened Child

The chronic anxiety we feel as adults is, to a large extent, the manifestation of the anguish of this inner child.

It is the voice of a frightened, uncared for child who is desperately trying to communicate its fear and pain.

This anguish lives in the deepest caverns of our minds and bodies, beyond our control conscious.

As long as we don't claim and attend to this child, its distress will remain lodged within us, manifesting as anxiety.

Overcoming Resistance to the Concept

It's normal to feel some resistance or even shame at the idea of connecting with our inner child.

Some of us fear that acknowledging this part will make us seem weak, fragile, or even pathetic.

However, it's important to understand that this is a concept of enormous strength and a courageous step toward healing.

Summary

The inner child is a metaphor for your emotional heart. It's the vulnerable part of you that contains the full spectrum of your emotions, from joy to pain.

It's also the refuge of your unprocessed wounds and traumas from your past. Chronic anxiety is the voice of this scared child trying to communicate its fear.

Even though you may feel resistance to the concept for fear of appearing weak, it's a courageous step. Connecting with this part of yourself is essential to healing.