Healing is a Journey, Not a Destination: Start by Acknowledging Your Inner Child

Yesterday, we began the journey of overcoming the scars of bullying, and today we’re diving deeper into the healing process. But there’s something crucial you must know before moving forward: you can’t heal without a powerful ally by your side.

That ally is your inner child.

If you think back to the child you once were—the scared, vulnerable version of yourself who faced pain and rejection head-on—you’ll realize they’re still with you. Those experiences, those raw feelings of hurt, have shaped you in ways you may not even fully understand yet.

But what if you could have a conversation with that younger version of you? What would you say to them now?

Acknowledge their pain. Let them know it wasn’t their fault.

Validate their feelings. Remind them they were brave in ways they couldn’t even see.

Offer comfort and security. Reassure them that you’ve got them now. You’re no longer that child lost in fear—you’re an adult, capable of providing the strength and support they never had.

Embrace your inner child. Hold them in your heart and remind them they are worthy of love, respect, and happiness.

This may sound unusual, even a little uncomfortable, but this inner dialogue is one of the most powerful steps in healing.

By nurturing your inner child, you begin to mend the fractured sense of self left behind by bullying. The wounds may not disappear overnight, but with each act of self-compassion, you begin to rebuild a more resilient, loving version of yourself.

Here’s how listening to and nurturing your inner child can transform your life:

It helps you identify triggers of fear and insecurity – Those moments when you feel triggered by certain situations or people? They often trace back to those childhood wounds. By listening to your inner child, you start to understand where these reactions come from.

It helps you challenge negative self-talk – When that inner voice says “I’m not good enough” or “I don’t deserve this,” it’s often the pain of your past trying to keep you stuck. But when you nurture your inner child, you learn to replace that voice with compassion and encouragement.

It helps you practice self-compassion – Healing is about treating yourself with kindness. By embracing your inner child, you show up for yourself the way you wish others had shown up for you. This compassionate self-talk is the foundation of real healing.

Healing isn’t about erasing the past. It’s about acknowledging it, understanding its impact, and choosing to move forward with a renewed sense of self-love and empowerment.

Here are some tools you can use to nurture your inner child:

 Engage in activities you loved as a child – Whether it’s drawing, playing outside, or just spending time in nature, reconnecting with your childhood joys can remind you of your worth and ignite a sense of playfulness and freedom.

Practice relaxation techniques – Deep breathing, mindfulness, or even journaling can help you calm your mind and reconnect with your emotional self. These practices allow space for your inner child to feel heard and understood.

Seek professional help – A coach, therapist, or mentor can help you navigate the emotional complexities of childhood trauma and guide you through the process of healing with support, compassion, and clarity.

When you start to listen to and nurture your inner child, you begin to break free from the limitations that bullying and trauma have placed on your life.

Limitations like feeling unworthy of love or success.

You rewrite your narrative, choosing one filled with self-acceptance, resilience, and the unwavering belief that you deserve love—the kind of love that is patient, kind, and full of grace.

The scars may remain, but they no longer define you. You are not your pain; you are your strength, your resilience, your ability to rise. And your inner child deserves to feel whole again.

Healing is not a destination. It’s a journey—and you don’t have to walk it alone.

Let’s start your healing journey today. Sign up for 1 to 1 session

Together, we can heal, grow, and step into the fullest version of who you were always meant to be.

about the author

I'm Abimbola Oliyide

I am a coach, social work thought leader, and global speaker, empowering women, social workers, leaders, organizations and beyond to achieve clarity, resilience, and impact through lived experiences, reflective intelligence, emotional resilience, entrepreneurial mindsets and transformation.

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