By apurva 
Inner child healing is a process-oriented toward resolving and healing emotional injuries early in life. It is based upon the idea that we all have an “inner child”—some part of us that holds feelings and experiences from childhood. Very early experiences can be tremendously influential in determining the way we feel and behave as adults.
This can produce scars from hard or traumatic feelings and experiences we went through as children. These scars could be emotional and not seen, but they can be determinants of how we react to some things, relate to people, or feel about ourselves. Inner child work allows us to reconnect with these early parts of ourselves in order to heal and move forward in life with health.
Why Is Inner Child Work Important?
Emotional Reactions: Many times, if not most, our powerful emotional reactions as grown-ups can be traced back to the unfinished business of our childhood. For example, if today, in the present, you are reacting quite badly in a situation by becoming too angry or anxious that you are unable to think of anything else, this would be related to an occurrence in your early years.
Healing Past Wounds:
When you deal with all the painful experiences of the past, you heal your old wounds. This can mean a really big change in how balanced and peaceful you are in life.
It Helps Improve Relationships
The manner in which we relate to others in the early years gets imprinted on us and, in turn, reflects on our way of relating throughout life. Inner child work is going to help understand and deal with patterns that may be causing problems in the area of relations.
Boosts Self-Esteem
Many people retain negative self-beliefs that originated in childhood. Inner child work enables you to become aware of and alter these beliefs so that you have enhanced self-esteem.
Getting Started with Inner Child Work
It may be a very personal practice, but the following steps will enable you to begin:
Acknowledge your Inner Child:
First off, know that an inner child—a part of you—is still holding on to childhood experiences and feelings. Knowing this part of you exists is the first step toward healing.
Get in Touch with Your Inner Child:
Find your inner child: Try to recall experiences that you had as a child, even if they were sad or happy experiences. Think about them and how they may be reflecting on you. Writing can be helpful. Jot down what your memories are, what your emotions are attached to, and if there is a pattern or theme.
Have a Self-Compassion Practice:
Establish a kind attitude toward yourself in this process of discovery. Give yourself time to heal, as it is a slow and gradual process.
Engage in Healing Activities:
Engage in activities that can really help to heal the child in you. Some of the activities include:
Art and Creativity:
Drawing, painting, or making crafts—just anything that will allow you to express yourself when talking about emotions.
Play and Fun:
How about doing some things you did during your childhood? That will get you back to the game and help you tune those emotions into good feelings.
Make sure to take care of your physical and emotional needs by practicing self-care through meditation, exercise, or time in nature.
Professional Help:
Working with a therapist who specializes in inner child therapy can provide excellent professional help. They will guide you through the whole process, support you, and work with you on overwhelming feelings. Therapy provides a safe space to explore and heal your inner child.
Learn to Set Healthy Boundaries
Healing the child within also entails working on setting boundaries as a way to start protecting oneself from situations or people that bring up old wounds. Setting these boundaries is also considered a way to care for and show concern for the inner child.
Practical Exercises for Your Inner Child
Here are simple exercises you can do to work with your inner child:
Inner Child Meditation :
Find a quiet place to sit down. Close your eyes and imagine yourself as a child. Now imagine your childhood self within you, and console them. Speak to your inner child the same way you would speak to a close friend—somehow loving and understanding.
Letter Writing:
Write a letter to your inner child. In your letter, include your feelings, forgiveness for all the hurt, and support and encouragement. You can also write a letter from your inner child to your adult self that tries to express any feelings or needs.
Memory Retrieval:
Take a little time now to reflect on your childhood memories. Try to remember happy and sad moments from your memory. Analyze this memory through art or writing and, in turn, learn how it is impacting you now.
Visualization:
Imagine a safe space where the child self could be safe and loved. It could be a real or imaginary place. Now, see the child in a safe space and reassure him with comfort and safety.
Affirmations:
Write down some positive affirmations you can use with your Inner Child. These will help you change negative beliefs and strengthen your confidence. Repeat these affirmations often to aid in healing.
Inner child healing can prove to be a really powerful tool in healing or coming out of trauma or improving your well-being. It empowers you to handle unresolved emotional wounds, improving your relationships with people and self. The journey is quite challenging, but the rewards are very nice. Remember to be patient, as it’s a healing process of a kind, and so be gentle with yourself as you start on a journey to discover yourself and heal.