Beginning inner child work can be an exciting and fun step toward self healing! Journaling is one tool that helps you to get to know your inner child in an intimate way.
As a mental health therapist, I LOVE helping people discover and heal their inner child. I often give people journaling prompts at the end of session to go explore at home. This post is ALL ABOUT journaling prompts for inner child work.
What is the Inner Child?
In mental health counseling, there is often exploration of different “parts.” Meaning, that we all have different versions of ourselves in our inner world that interact inside of us, holding memories, behaviors and beliefs. These parts, when explored, can give you a lot of information about yourself and what guides you.
The inner child is the part of you that was created during early development. This part is very childlike, observing the world through feeling instead of logic. When healthy, this part allows you to be playful, curious, and connected. However, most people discover that their inner child is stuck or lost due to childhood trauma or other experiences.
Inner child work helps to reconnect you to this part, heal childhood wounds, and live more freely. Journaling is one way to begin deeper exploration.
Before you Begin
Before you begin journaling with your inner child, it’s important to get connected with him or her. Start by closing your eyes, or letting them have a soft gaze, and try identifying where your inner child lives in your body. Imagine your inner child is a separate entity that you can talk to. If you can, imagine pulling your inner child out from where he or she lies in your body and place him or her in front of you. Once you are sitting with your inner child, begin journaling.
If this feels too abstract, it is also an option to get a picture of a younger you and place this picture in front of you when you journal.
Exploration Prompts for Inner Child Work
How old are you?
What do you need?
What are you afraid of?
Where do you feel stuck?
How do you feel toward me (the adult)?
Empowering Prompts for Inner Child Work
What is your favorite memory?
If you could do anything right now, what would it be?
What makes you feel strong?
What are things you like about yourself?
Safety Prompts for Inner Child Work
What makes you feel safe?
What can you do when you feel scared?
When have you felt safe before?
Trauma Prompts for Inner Child Work
When have you felt unsafe?
What keeps you from feeling safe now?
What memories bother you the most?
Who are you afraid of? Why?
Healing Prompts for Inner Child Work
What are things you would like us (the adult and child) to do more of?
How do you want us to play more?
What are loving things that I (the adult) can do for you?
What are you proud of looking at us now?
Art Prompts for Inner Child Work
If your inner child is not very vocal or is very young, art prompts might be more helpful! Once they are drawn, you can choose to explore and make sense of the artwork.
Draw a picture of your favorite (or worst) memory.
Draw something silly that makes you laugh.
Pick colors and use them to express your feelings.
Draw what makes your feel strong.
Draw what scares you.
Draw what love looks like to you.
These are some of my favorite prompts to explore and heal your inner child. If you notice there are things that you are getting stuck on or would like to explore with a trained professional, don’t hesitate to reach out to a professional therapist who can help!
I hope this was helpful in giving you journaling prompts for inner child work! What are your favorite inner child activities? Comment below!
Other post you might like:
3 Easy-to-Use Journaling Ideas for Mental Health
19 Therapy Journaling Prompts
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