How we shame our inner child — and lose ourselves
Each of us carries an inner child.
The part that dreams. That marvels. That wants to try new things, to take risks, to play, to be seen and wanted.
But far too often we ourselves turn into the stern adult standing beside it and saying:
🔹 “Don’t make people laugh at you.”
🔹 “Don’t be so naive.”
🔹 “Who needs that?”
🔹 “What are you imagining now?”
We shame our impulses and our dreams.
We hold back the wish to show ourselves.
We punish ourselves for being unique and spontaneous.
And we do it so routinely and automatically that we do not even notice how many times a day we clip our own wings.
What do we lose along with the shame?
🌿 Ideas that could have become projects.
🌿 Moments of joy that could have given us energy.
🌿 The courage to express ourselves — and to receive support.
🌿 Recognition and chances to grow.
🌿 The path to our real wishes and goals.
The inner child is not something “infantile” that has to be suppressed.
It is a living force, without which it is impossible to create, to fall in love with life, to build relationships or to move forward at all.
How does shame about the inner child show up in adult affairs?
🔸 We do not put ideas forward at work, because “what if it comes out ridiculous”.
🔸 We do not start something new, because “what will people say?”.
🔸 We do not share our dreams, because “that is unreasonable at my age”.
🔸 We do not ask for help, because “one has to be strong”.
And every time we choose shame instead of expression, we leave a part of ourselves alone.
What can be done?
🌱 Begin to listen to your inner child with curiosity rather than suspicion.
🌱 Give it the right to want, to dream, to get confused and to try.
🌱 Tell yourself: “I can take care of myself and at the same time allow myself to be alive.”
Because only then does real inspiration, creativity and love appear in our lives.
Do not shame your living part. It is your best ally in the wide world of adult possibilities. 🌿
And if this theme resonates with you… if you want to stop shaming your living part and to start building warm, trusting contact with it — we invite you to the therapy group:
«The Inner Child»
🌿 In this group we will gently and attentively open the doors to our real selves:
listening to the voice of our inner child,
exploring its needs and wishes,
finding ways to support ourselves with love and warmth.
We will create a space where it is safe to dream, to search, to live through things and gradually to regain trust in life.