The concept of an inner child can be useful when dealing with trauma - the idea that we still carry with us, as an inner child, the memories of traumatic experiences in our childhood, and that these manifest in our adult behaviours - for example, a child whose play was constantly interrupted with admonishments that "that is not a toy" may find it difficult to be playful with items that are not intended for entertainment - for example, you may feel comfortable to juggle a ball but not comfortable juggling an apple (bonus: "don't play with your food").
However, the concept of an Inner Child need not be limited to our childhood and adolescence.
If you are able to offer any definitions, descriptions, etc. that could be useful in this context, please write to mettacircles [at] manan.life
In the meantime, we offer the following
- Finding and Getting to Know Your Inner Child
- What Is An Inner Child & What Does It Know?
- Inner Child Work: How Your Past Shapes Your Present
ChatGPT's description:
The term "inner child" refers to a psychological and metaphorical concept that represents the original or true self of a person, particularly the self that one was in childhood. This includes the childlike aspects of one's personality, such as innocence, wonder, curiosity, and the emotions experienced during early developmental stages. The concept of the inner child is often used in therapeutic settings to address emotional pain, trauma, or psychological issues that stem from one's childhood. The idea is that many adults carry wounds from their childhood experiences which affect their emotional health and behavior. By connecting with and healing their inner child, individuals may be able to resolve these issues, improve their emotional well-being, and lead more fulfilling lives. Engaging with the inner child can involve various therapeutic techniques, including reflection, imagination exercises, and dialogues facilitated by a therapist. This can help individuals better understand their past experiences, bring to light unresolved emotions, and recapture some of the joy and spontaneity typically associated with childhood.