Hi, Reader.

The first time my therapist brought up healing my "inner child,” I laughed.

Laughing, I blurted out, “Seriously?”

My face said it all: This is ridiculous.

He explained:

I smirked again. The idea felt super corny.

But he added gently:

So, I did.

Here's skeptical me in 2016 following the advice:

That night, I taped a photo of myself at ages six and eight onto my refrigerator and bathroom mirror.

To my surprise…it worked.

Every time I looked at each photo, I didn’t see me.

I saw a little girl who was counting on me.

I remembered the diary entries that detailed grand plans for grownup life - full of hope, dreams of freedom, and excitement about "doing something new every day, even if I have the flu.”

And then I felt things:

💔 Anger that she had to grow up too fast and take on adult responsibilities.

😢 Sadness that adulthood felt so heavy and that she'd be disappointed in how being grownup felt.

💛 Love, most of all. I felt so much love for her.

The photos sparked something powerful.

So, I started doing things just for her.

✨ I scheduled two 30-minute activities every week dedicated to doing things she liked.

🖊 I grabbed a pen and notebook and wrote stories, like I used to love as a kid.

📚 I set a goal to read one book per month for fun.

Slowly, I felt…

Freer.

More in control.

More connected to myself.

This practice helped me continue healing from my past experience growing up coping with my mom’s alcoholism.

It reminded me:

The joyful, hopeful Little Jody I was is still here.

Reader, I know this "inner-child healing" might sound corny at first.

But it’s powerful.

It inspired me.

Maybe it will for you, too.

🌱How to Connect with Your Inner Child

1. Post a photo of yourself as a kid.

Place it somewhere you’ll see it every day like your desk, mirror, or fridge.

2. Write little-kid you a letter.

Speak to them with kindness. Reassure them. Tell them the words they needed to hear.

3. Do what they loved.

If little-kid you loved drawing, draw.

If you loved dancing, dance.

If you loved magic tricks, learn tricks.

If you loved playing outside, go do that.

Whatever brought you joy back then, do it now.

It’s not silly. It’s healing. Trust me, Reader.

4. Speak to yourself with kindness.

That voice in your head? You know, the one that is so quick to criticize everything you do? Make sure it’s the voice your younger self would feel safe with.

No more harshness. You deserve loving words.

You are worth showing up for then and now.

Hit reply to this message and let me know where you are in your healing journey. I'd love to know.

Wishing you well on your journey,

Jody 💛

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