Welcome back to our Shadow Work series. So far, we've explored the triggers that others present, the lies we tell ourselves, and the frustrating cycle of self-sabotage. Today, we're going to the very source of many of these patterns: our childhood. The beliefs and behaviors we carry into adulthood were often formed in our earliest years as a survival strategy to feel safe, loved, and accepted. So cozy up with your favorite blanket, your journal, and a warm beverage, and let’s get back to reclaiming!!
Our journal prompt for today is: "What parts of my childhood self did I have to suppress in order to be loved or accepted?"
Think back to your younger self. What were you like before you were taught to fit into a mold? Were you loud and boisterous? Were you a quiet dreamer? Were you a natural leader? Now, consider the feedback you received. Did you learn that your curiosity was "too much"? Did you get the message that your emotions were "inconvenient"? Did your unique imagination get dismissed as impractical?
The parts of us that we suppressed as children—our spontaneity, our authentic emotions, our boundless creativity—don't disappear. They are pushed into the shadow, but they remain, waiting to be reclaimed. This can include:
- Your Natural Emotions: Maybe you were taught that crying was a sign of weakness, so you learned to hide your sadness. Or perhaps your anger was met with punishment, teaching you to repress it completely.
- Your True Desires: You might have had a deep passion for art, but you were told to focus on more "practical" pursuits, leading you to abandon a core part of your identity.
- Your Inner Voice: You may have been a confident child, but you were consistently told to be quiet or to defer to others, so you learned to silence your own opinions.
The reason we suppressed these parts of ourselves was simple: we were seeking love and acceptance. A child's deepest need is to feel safe and loved by their caregivers. If expressing a certain part of our personality led to disapproval or a sense of not being good enough, our young mind, in its infinite wisdom, decided to hide it away to ensure we would be cared for. This was a brilliant survival strategy at the time.
The problem is, this survival strategy continues to run the show in our adult lives. The "adult" you still carries the belief that if you were to fully express your authentic self—your messiness, your emotions, your creative urges—you would be rejected. You might find yourself still people-pleasing, still trying to be what you think others want you to be, and feeling a deep sense of inauthenticity.
Shadow work helps us to acknowledge and honor that wounded inner child. By asking this question, you are not blaming your past. You are giving yourself the gift of understanding. You are beginning to see the origins of your self-limiting beliefs and behaviors. The true healing comes when you can go back to that younger self and say, "It's safe to be you now. You can come out of hiding. I see you, and I love you, all of you." That’s what she wants, your inner child, to be loved and feel safe.
This week, let’s commit to listening to the whispers of our inner child. The parts of you that you hid away are not gone; they are waiting to be integrated so you can finally live with a sense of genuine wholeness.
If you want more tips and support, find me on TikTok, find me on TT:@ starseedsarah. Let's continue this journey to balance and purpose, and let our energy show what we choose to focus on – success, love & courage!
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