Embracing Your Inner Child: Understanding How Childhood Desires Shape Your Current Attitude

Courtesy: Wix Media

In one of our recent group conversations, someone said something that stopped me mid-thought:

“Sometimes, I think I’m just trying to prove something to the 7-year-old me.”

That one sentence made all of us pause. Because deep down—we knew it was true.

We all have this younger version of ourselves still living within us. A part that quietly influences how we feel, what we chase, how we react, and even what we fear.

This article is a gentle nudge to reflect on how our childhood desires still shape the way we live today, our current attitude — and how becoming aware of them can unlock something powerful in us.

The Unseen Passenger: Our Inner Child

Our inner child is not just a memory—it’s a living energy inside us. It holds our first experiences of love, fear, attention, rejection, joy, shame.

This part of us is still asking questions like:

• Am I enough?

• Will someone notice me?

• Is it okay to be me?

And often, without realising, we spend our adult life answering these questions over and over again—through our work, our relationships, our choices.

My Own Wake-Up Call

I used to push myself a lot—working late, saying yes to everything, always trying to prove I was capable. I thought I was just being “driven.”

But one evening, it hit me. I wasn’t chasing growth. I was chasing a feeling I missed as a child: being acknowledged.

That moment of awareness shifted everything. It didn’t make life instantly easier—but it made it real. And honest.

How Childhood Desires Shape Us and Our Current Attitude Even Today

Let’s look at a few ways this shows up in all of us:

1. Unmet Emotional Needs

If you felt unseen, you may now crave praise. If you weren’t allowed to express anger, you may now avoid conflict at all costs. If you were told to “be strong,” you may struggle to show vulnerability.

2. Forgotten Joys

Remember how you used to draw, dance, tell stories, or build things? Those weren’t just hobbies—they were windows into your soul. Reconnecting with them can bring surprising healing.

3. Family Dynamics

Growing up around pressure, comparison, or silence often leaves deep marks. You may find yourself people-pleasing, over-explaining, or second-guessing your worth—all echoes of what was once normal for you.

How We Start Healing

It’s not about “fixing” the past. It’s about meeting it with compassion. Here’s how we can begin:

1. Give Yourself the Attention You Craved

Start asking yourself gently:

• What did I need back then?

• What am I still trying to hear?

Now give yourself those words: “I see you. I’m proud of you. You did your best.”

2. Recreate Joy in Small Ways

Pick up that childhood passion again—even just for 10 minutes a week. Color. Play music. Write. Be silly. Your adult mind may resist, but your inner child will thank you.

3. Practice Inner Re-parenting

Imagine being the parent your younger self needed. Speak to yourself with care. Set boundaries you never had. Let yourself rest without guilt. Say no without needing to justify it.

4. Pause and Breathe When You’re Triggered

The next time you feel overly reactive or emotional, don’t rush past it.Pause.Ask yourself, “Is this about now—or something older in me being poked?”Often, it's the child reacting—not the adult.

5. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help

This journey doesn’t need to be walked alone. Talk to a friend, a mentor, or a therapist. Sometimes, healing begins simply by being heard.

Why This Work Matters

When we don’t understand our inner child, we repeat old patterns. But when we do, we begin to live with more ease, grace, and emotional strength.

You’ll notice less overthinking, less need for validation, and more calm confidence. Not because life is perfect—but because you’ve made peace with your own story.

A Final Whisper

Your attitude today—how you push, protect, perform, or hide—didn’t come from nowhere.It was shaped by the little version of you, just trying to feel okay in the world.

The good news? You have the power now to choose a different way.

Let this be your reminder: Healing doesn’t require a full restart. Just small, conscious steps toward self-understanding.

Your younger self has been waiting for this moment. Give them what they needed. And watch how your present begins to shift.