Talk to Your Inner Child. Discover its Power,
Purpose and Magic.

Open up a dialogue with your Inner Children and you may be amazed.

According to popular psychology we all have them. If you are making changes in your life, then don't neglect them as a possible resource. Healing the past supports healing in the future.

The beauty of journalling, even though I have never been a diarist, is being able to look back on your writing. Looking back I am sometimes astounded by the wisdom in the 'conversations' I have had with my 'Inner Children.

Though I don't remember where I first learnt about Inner-child work I very clearly remember exactly where I was when I first connected with mine. I remember too, how dire my life was at that particular time.

Do you believe in synchronicity? I do and while decluttering a spare bedroom ready to downsize to a smaller house, I recently re-discovered my Inner Child journal.

Through those writings I gained valuable insight into my own personality, increased self-awareness and even what actions to take to change my life at that time.

This year I reinstated the dialogue with my Inner Children and share this with you in the hope that you may open yourself up to possibility.

Who or What are your Inner Children

The concept of the Inner Child comes from popular psychology and usually refers to the child-like aspect of a person's psyche. It seems we all have this part, and we open a dialogue through which we can:-

• resolve issues from childhood, that may have affected who we have become,
• understand our behaviours and some characteristics of our personalities.

For example your inner child may feel:

• frightened...alone...lonely... forgotten...unloved...threatened...dismissed....unwanted...etc,

How do you communicate with them

You should view this as a process, not a one-off event and once connected with your inner child or children, you should arange to continue regularly with the dialogue you begin.

1. Gather together your writing materials and arrange a comfortable, private space where you will be uninterrupted for about 30 minutes.
2. Firstly you should state your intent and desire (inside your head or out loud) to meet with your inner child or children.
3. You can begin by picturing yourself as a small child aged between 3 and 8. Notice all the thoughts, pictures and sounds that come to mind. It's not important to see real, clear pictures inside your head....but a sense of those times will be sufficient...let your mind lead you to those memories.

4. If painful memories come to the fore and you are not ready to discuss them, then be aware of that.
5. Thank your child for coming, state your feelings clearly to yourself, and arrange to connect at a later date. make a note to yourself and bonour that date and time with your child.

The method I use is to ask a question in writing with my dominant hand and then to reply with my non-dominant hand. It takes a bit of practice to write with that hand, but be patient and it will work for you.

Questions asked of a Playful child may include:

• What do you like?
  What don't you like?
  What kinds of games do you like to play?
  Where do you like to play?
  What do you like to eat and drink?
  Where are your favourite places to eat?
  Where do you like to go on holiday?
  What clothes do you like to wear?
  How do you feel about your place in my life at this time?
  Do you feel ignored or left out?
  What one thing can I do for you right now?
  How can I best do this?

The responses of a third inner child were different again. (Cara - my playful child)

Adult: Where do you like to go?
Cara: To the realms of the impossible or so it would seem to you.
Adult: What about in the real world, where do you like to go then?
Cara: Inside my mind for all things are possible there.

Sometimes your inner child will ask for help.

Adult: Is there anything you would like to explore or create.
Child: Several times I have tried to create an understanding of the beauty within,
but have been unable to break through. Will you help me?

What Happens Next?

You will note that the initial conversation is pretty much like meeting anyone for the first time. It need not be lengthy. Likewise it is important to develop trust with your Inner Child and over subsequent writings you will discover much about each other.

Arrange to 'talk' again at a later date and follow the same pattern. It may seem strange at first, but you need to be aware of the dialogue inside your head.

When I place the pen into my non-dominant left hand I write whatever comes into my head. Do not let your own logic get in the way. You will get to know when the words are yours imposed upon the writing of the child...rub them out, take a breath and wait for the response from your child.

Interpreting your Writing

I believe that the only person who can interpret the dialogue is yourself. You don't really have to analyse it too deeply. It will most likely strike a chord with you.

The significance of Anastasia for me was very clear. For as long as I can remember, from being a very small child I dreamed of being a dancer. I watched every dance show on television. How I longed to be elegant and graceful. to be a ballerina, like many little girls.

However in reality I was painfully shy and would dance only in private. I never got over this until I went to college. It really should have been no surprise that Anastasia came to me as my Vulnerable Child.

I believe now that as a toddler my dancing was the source of some amusement to my family, but purely in the way that most of us find pleasure and fun in our children's early years.

I believe that I mistook that for criticism and it affected my behaviour for the rest of my childhood.

You may be surprised by some of the things you write. I was prompted to look up 'Chinchilla' when it arrived in my writing as a response to a favourite animal.
What's my point in mentioning that..the Characteristics of that animal had relevance in my life at that time. (My subconscious mind alerting me to the fact!)

Return from Inner Child Journalling to Journal Writing.