As we grow older, we slowly come to the realization that the wounds carried by our inner child run deep. If we don’t attend to these wounds gently, then we set ourselves to a lifetime of getting hurt and held back by them. That is why self-love is so important. Unlike what the popular narrative makes it out to be, self-love doesn’t have to look like “I only care about myself” or “I will hurt others for my selfish gains.”
On the contrary, self-love is about looking within and providing acceptance and care to your inner child. All the parts of you that you have grown condemning are the ones that you need to heal with love. There are many ways to go about self-love. Some people meditate to connect with their inner selves and realign themselves to their most authentic version. On the other hand, self-love manifests for some in the form of allowing one the liberty to embrace and indulge in the interests and experiences that were once denied in childhood.
The first step in the journey of healing your inner child with self-love is to listen and hear its voice actively. Initially, the voice might be frail and unclear, but with enough care and attention, your inner child will feel safe enough to speak up. The journey starts with trusting and believing in yourself. This will help with building confidence and will lower the self-critical voice inside.
When you face any challenge or barrier, make it a rule to not blame yourself as the sole reason for it. Life is a strange journey and not everything is in our control. Similarly, the healing process is also non-linear. Self-love and healing allow you to show up in your relationships, work, and the world at large as your best self. It doesn’t only help you personally, but also puts you in a position to help and love others more fully.
Give yourself time, do the things you love and enjoy, listen to your inner authentic self, and just breathe!