A Trauma-Coping Exercise To Heal Your Inner Child + Why It Works

While healing your inner child does take intentional work, it’s well worth the time spent. According to Howes, this practice has helped him become more level-headed in situations that would have previously triggered him; now, he can approach those situations (and life in general) with more positive emotions.

Plus, healing your inner child’s wounds will help you navigate relationships, be it with family, friends, or partners, with grace. While nobody can ever “complete” inner child healing per se, starting the journey is the most important step. 

On the topic of childhood wounds, Howes notes, “They’re unfortunate, but if you don’t find new, powerful meanings from them, they will keep you a prisoner for the rest of your life, and they will keep hurting you.” In short: Sometimes you can’t move forward without looking back.