How to: heal your inner child
While it can be really comforting and healing to have a caregiver or someone to help look after you while you’re feeling regressed, here is some ways to love and comfort your inner child on your own. (Disclaimer: these are things I have done that have helped me but may not work for everyone. If you have any suggestions, please add to this! <3) Have a chore chart/task list & give yourself rewards: Make sure you take into account what your daily lifestyle is and give yourself tasks that are attainable. These tasks do not have to be super “big” to be celebrated as overall you want these tasks to be beneficial to you mentally & physically. For example, some tasks that are included on my list are working out, feeding myself, having water, reading, etc. Learn to be proud of your accomplishments both large and small. Talk to/comfort small you: Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed/sad or having the best day ever, talk with yourself & praise yourself for the positive things you’re doing. Some examples of this include: “I know we’re feeling overwhelmed right now but we are doing great and I’m super proud!” “You’re doing your very best and that is what is most important.” “I know we feel scared but we’re okay, we’re safe, and we are going to get through this”
Find ways to include small you during the day: I’ve found that going about my day to day adult life can make small me feel neglected and it can make me sad. To avoid this, I try and find some ways to include that childlike part of myself into the day. Some ways I do this is bringing kiddo things with me to work (Disney princess cup, stimming toys for break time, etc), looking at the toy section when I go grocery shopping, picking a new stuffie to sleep with each night, coloring pictures/doodling in the evening, eating snacks little me likes, etc. Treat yourself as you would a kid/friend: This may seem a bit odd or confusing at first but in time it will feel like second nature. Overall, what I really mean by this is imagine you are caring for your younger self or a friend and act accordingly. Make sure you are feeding yourself, bathing yourself, allowing yourself proper rest, validating your own feelings, etc. We are often times are worst critic and for a lot of us who suffer with mental health issues (or even physical ones), we can be really harsh with ourselves when we are simply just doing our best and deserve to be cared for.
I hope this makes sense and can help someone out tthere <3
