7 . Be your own protector and nurturer
I recommend journaling about the experience . Journaling is a wonderful tool for self-reflection , deepening your self-understanding , and also serving as a way to document your progress . So take a few minutes to do this so that you can remember the experience and reflect on it in the future ! .
7 . Be your own protector and nurturer
As adults , it ’ s important that we take responsibility for our emotional wellbeing . Feeling safe in this world is extremely important and essential for our inner child to thrive . Signs that you feel unsafe in this world may include :
• Constant anxiety around others
• Tendency to worry excessively
• Inability to trust others
• Inability to trust yourself and your abilities
• Feeling afraid to do things by yourself
• Harsh criticism of yourself
• Fear of trying new things or going to new places
• Assuming the worst in every situation
If you can relate to the feeling of constantly ‘ being on edge ’ in the world and around others , I strongly recommend focusing on feeling safe within yourself . Constant self-criticism , ignoring your needs , lacking personal boundaries , always putting others above yourself , and changing yourself to be accepted all keep you in a fearful state of not feeling safe . While our parents or guardians may not have fulfilled most of our needs ( or any of our needs ), the beautiful truth is that we can . The concept is strange , even foreign to us , but we can be our own parents ! The benefits of re-parenting yourself ?
• Greater happiness and optimism
• Improved creativity
• Healthier mind , body , and soul
• Stronger friendships and relationships
• Development of essential life skills : acceptance , forgiveness , vulnerability , compassion , self-love
If you find it really hard to re-parent your inner child , seeking help from an inner child work therapist will be a wise investment . Therapists , after all , act as temporary substitute parents . They can listen to and help coach your inner child , while supporting and strengthening your inner parent .