Journaling is one of the best and most accessible ways to tap into your inner child (and teen), learn about & from them and bring them forward. As you introspect and dive deeper, you begin to understand who you were before the world put labels on you. You begin to recognize your triggers, who you are and used to be, what’s working in your favor and serving who you are now, and you also begin noticing patterns and behaviors that are misaligned with who you are now and who you want to be.
In today’s post, I’m sharing some journal prompts that can help as you explore and start to learn about your inner child through journaling. As you use these prompts, remember to lead with curiosity. Open your heart and consistently ask why and follow the whys down to where the issues lie.
What makes me feel safe?
What uncomfortable emotions do I try to avoid?
When did my inner child/teen feel hurt or betrayed?
What needs were not met in my childhood/teenage years?
What did I enjoy about myself/my personality when I was younger?
What brought me joy as a child/teen?
How did I comfort myself when I was younger? Do I still comfort myself in the same way(s)?
What 5 things do I really do well?
What emotions is my inner child/teen repressing?
What do I admire most about my personality?
What’s one thing about my personality that’s stayed the same from childhood?
Do I have trouble building trust, why?
What did I learn about emotions as a child/teenager?
What am I most afraid of others finding out about me? Why?
What did I need most as a child/teen but didn’t receive?
Create a world for your inner child/teen to live in. What would it look like?
When I look in the mirror I see…
How can I show love to my inner child/teen?