Have you ever had a "big" reaction to a "small" moment?
Maybe a partner's tone of voice makes you shut down instantly. Or a minor misunderstanding at work leaves you feeling completely overwhelmed or like you're in trouble.
Often these aren't just reactions to the present - they are echoes of our Inner Child.
What is "Inner Child" energy ?
When we are young , we don't always have the words or the understanding to process difficult things. Whether it was growing up around substance misuse, domestic tension or simply having parents who did their best but weren't emotionally available to us, those experiences stay with us.
As adults when we encounter a situation that feels like those old memories , our "Inner Child" can take the wheel and steer.
We might feel:
The urge to hide or to go silent (Self- protection)
A burst of intense anger (Defending a younger version of ourselves)
A deep fear of rejection (The need for safety)
The goal isn't to "fix" or get rid of these feelings , but to integrate them.
Through counselling , we build the self awareness to recognise when a trigger is happening.
Instead of being swept away by the emotion, we learn to say : "I see you. I know why this feel's scary right now. But I am an adult now and I can keep us safe".
By bringing these experiences into the light, they lose their power over our present day lives and the way we react to things.
Does this resonate with you? Have you ever noticed your younger self showing up in your adult life?
Why don't you keep a note of some of your big reactions and see if there are things you are doing for self protection , to defend yourself or to keep yourself safe.
This might be your inner child letting you know she need's your help.