Healing isn’t just about moving forward—it’s about looking back and integrating the parts of you that were left behind. The wounds of childhood don’t disappear with age; they shape the way we think, react, and experience the world.
But within you, there is more than just the pain of the past. There are three core parts of your inner self that play a role in your healing journey:
- The Inner Child – The pure, untainted self—full of wonder, joy, and innocence. This part of you has never been hurt and carries your deepest essence.
- The Wounded Child – The protector, shaped by past pain and survival instincts. This part of you has been in the driver’s seat for too long, often steering through fear and self-protection.
- The Wise Self – Who you are now and who you are becoming. This is the version of you that holds the wisdom to heal, integrate, and guide your inner self toward wholeness.
By understanding these three aspects, you can begin to heal deeply, release old patterns, and step into a life of peace and self-trust.
The Inner Child: Reconnecting with innocence & joy
Your Inner Child is the purest version of you—the one before pain, before fear, before conditioning. It’s the part of you that still craves joy, playfulness, and unconditional love. But for many, this part gets buried under responsibilities, fear of rejection, or the belief that joy isn’t safe.
Signs your inner child needs attention:
✔ You struggle with play, fun, or creativity—feeling disconnected from joy.
✔ You long for acceptance, belonging, or external validation.
✔ You have deep-seated fears of abandonment or rejection.
Ways to reconnect with your inner child:
- Reintroduce play: Engage in activities that once brought you joy—painting, dancing, singing, or playing outside.
- Speak to yourself with kindness: When self-doubt arises, ask yourself, “What would I say to a child who felt this way?” and respond with love.
- Create a safe space for your inner child: Spend quiet time in reflection or prayer, imagining yourself embracing and comforting your younger self.
The Wounded Child: Understanding triggers & protection mechanisms
The Wounded Child is the part of you shaped by past hurt—often operating in fight, flight, or freeze mode. It holds your deepest fears and learned survival patterns, trying to protect you from further harm. But sometimes, this protective instinct keeps you trapped in cycles of fear, avoidance, or overreaction.
How the wounded child shows up in adulthood:
✔ Difficulty trusting others or letting people get close.
✔ Self-sabotaging behaviors, perfectionism, or people-pleasing.
✔ Recurring emotional triggers that feel overwhelming or irrational.
How to heal the wounded child:
- Recognize the Pattern: Notice when you’re reacting from a place of fear or protection rather than truth.
- Soothe, Don’t Silence: Instead of ignoring your triggers, acknowledge them with curiosity, not judgment. Ask yourself, “What is this pain trying to protect me from?” and explore it with compassion rather than criticism.
- Practice Reparenting: Give yourself the love, patience, and validation that you didn’t receive as a child. Imagine speaking to yourself as the loving parent you needed.
The Wise Self: Stepping into healing & integration
The Wise Self is the version of you that has grown, learned, and is capable of guiding your healing journey. This part of you understands that your past does not define you, and that you have the power to create new patterns and a new story.
How to strengthen the Wise Self within you:
✔ Make decisions based on truth rather than fear.
✔ Set boundaries that honor your growth and protect your peace.
✔ Speak life over yourself—affirming that you are safe, worthy, and whole.
Practices to embody the Wise Self:
- Journaling & Self-Reflection: Write letters to your younger self, reminding them they are safe and loved.
- Grounding & Breathwork: Regulate your nervous system with deep breathing and body awareness exercises.
- Faith & Spiritual Connection: Surrender your past wounds to God, trusting in His plan for your restoration.
Your next step: Integrating & healing
Mantra for healing
💛 I love and accept all parts of me. I did then what I knew how to do. Now that I know better, I do better. I am progress, not perfection.
Healing your Inner Child isn’t about erasing the past—it’s about bringing all parts of yourself into wholeness. Your Inner Child, Wounded Child, and Wise Self all have a role to play. By acknowledging them, tending to their needs, and allowing the Wise One to lead, you step into a more peaceful, empowered, and healed version of yourself.
Where do you go from here?
If you’ve never explored inner child work
Start by simply getting curious about your past experiences and how they might still affect you today. Journaling, reading about inner child healing, and practicing self-compassion are great first steps. 🔗 Explore Introductory Blog Posts
If you’re beginning to acknowledge the wounded & wise self
Recognizing your Wounded Child means you’re ready to start breaking old patterns. One powerful step is giving your Wounded Child a name—separating it from your identity and honoring it for the protection it has offered.
Try this: Look in the mirror and speak to your Wounded Child with gratitude. Say, “[Name], I see you. I know you’ve been protecting me. Thank you for keeping me safe. But I am ready to lead now.” Look into your left eye, and repeat it 3 times.
💡 Mirror work and journaling exercises can help you further integrate this process and deepen your healing.
If you’re stepping into your Wise Self
You’re already on your way, making conscious choices to lead your healing with wisdom, faith, and intention. Now, it’s time to fully embody your Wise Self.
One powerful step is giving your Wise Self a name—recognizing that your Inner Child and your Wise One are one and the same. Your wisdom has always been within you, waiting to be reclaimed.
💡 Mirror work: Look at yourself and say three times, “[Name], I see you. You are strong, capable, and whole. I trust you to lead me forward.”
✨ Nourish your inner child today: Do something that brings you joy—whether it’s playing, resting, or engaging in something creative. Healing happens when joy is reclaimed.
You are not broken. You are becoming whole. Every version of you—the inner child, the wounded child, the wise self—deserves love, patience, and grace. Trust in the wisdom within you, and know that healing is always unfolding.
Say hello to my Nori (Inner Child), Ellie (Wounded Child) and Chi (Wise Self).
What are the names of your Inner Child, Wounded Child, and Wise Self?
How will you honor them today? Please share below!