84 Journal Prompts for Healing Your Inner Child

A list of good journal prompts for inner child

If you’re here to see journal prompts for healing your inner child, keep reading!

Are you looking for a healthy way to connect with your inner child and promote healing?

Look no further! In this blog post, we’re going to explore the power of journaling and how it can help you heal your inner child.

Without further ado, let’s get started with my inner child journal prompts.

a pin that says in a large font the best journal prompts for healing your inner child

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What questions should I ask my inner child?

Inner child shadow work prompts for beginners

  1. What are some of the ways you can celebrate and honor your inner child?
  2. What was your biggest fear as a child? How does that fear still impact you today?
  3. What emotions did you struggle to express as a child? How do you feel about those emotions now?
  4. What are some of the unmet needs you had as a child? How can you start to meet those needs now?
  5. What was your relationship like with your parents or caregivers? Was there anything missing from that relationship?
  6. What are some of the ways you can practice self-compassion and self-care? How can you nurture and care for your inner child?
  7. What are some of the things that make you feel joy or excitement? How can you bring more of those things into your daily life?
  8. What were some of the things you were shamed or criticized for as a child? How do those negative experiences still impact you today?
  9. What are some of the things you were told you couldn’t or shouldn’t do as a child? How can you challenge those limiting beliefs now?
  10. What are some of the things you do to cope with difficult emotions or experiences? Are those coping mechanisms healthy and effective?
  11. What were some of the most difficult or traumatic experiences you had as a child? How have those experiences impacted you as an adult?
  12. What are some of the things you wish you had learned or experienced as a child? How can you begin to give those things to yourself now?
  13. What are some of the ways you self-sabotage or hold yourself back? How might those behaviors be connected to your inner child’s wounds?
  14. What were some of the messages you received about your emotions? Were you encouraged to express them, or were they dismissed or invalidated?
  15. What are some of the ways you try to control or avoid difficult situations? How might those behaviors be connected to your inner child’s wounds?
  16. What are some of the things you do to seek assurance or blessing from others? How might those behaviors be connected to your inner child’s wounds?
  17. What are some of the things you can do to cultivate a more positive relationship with yourself? How can you become your own best friend and advocate?
  18. What are some of the ways you can cultivate a sense of safety and security within yourself? How can you begin to trust yourself and the world around you?
  19. What are some of the things you were told you had to do as a child, even if you didn’t want to? How can you begin to honor your own desires and needs now?
  20. What were some of the messages you received from your family member or society about your worth and value? How have those messages impacted your self-esteem?
  21. What are some of the things you wish you could tell your younger self? How can you offer yourself the love and support you may have missed out on as a child?
  22. What was your favorite subject at school? Who were your favorite teachers? Do you have any painful memories from school, or did it have a positive impact on you?
  23. What are some of the things you’re afraid to admit to yourself or others? How can you offer vulnerability and honesty to your inner child in those situations?
  24. What are some of the things you wish you had done differently in the past? How can you practice self-forgiveness and compassion for those experiences?

Journal prompts to heal your inner child

  1. What are some of the things you can do to connect to your inner child?
  2. What were some of the things you were scared of as a child? How do those fears still affect you today?
  3. What are some of the limiting beliefs you developed as a child? How do those beliefs impact your life now?
  4. What are some of the ways you have been hurt or betrayed in your life? How can you start to heal those wounds?
  5. What memories from your childhood bring up strong emotions for you? How can you honor and validate those emotions?
  6. What are some of the things you’re proud of from your past? How can you celebrate and honor those accomplishments?
  7. What are some of the ways you have hurt or betrayed others? How can you make amends and repair those relationships?
  8. What were some of the things you loved to do as a child? How can you bring more of those activities into your life now?
  9. What did you need from your caregivers that you didn’t receive? How can you start to meet those needs for yourself now?
  10. What are some of the things you’re afraid of in the present? How can you offer comfort and reassurance to your inner child?
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  1. What are some of the things you do to seek validation or approval from others? How can you begin to validate and approve of yourself?
  2. What are some of the things you wish someone had told you as a child? How can you offer those words of wisdom to your inner child now?
  3. What are some of the things you’re excited about for the future? How can you cultivate a sense of hope and optimism for your inner child?
  4. What are some of the things you wish you had known as a child? How can you offer that knowledge and understanding to your inner child now?
  5. What are some of the things you wish someone had done for you as a child? How can you offer those acts of kindness to your inner child now?
  6. What are some of the things you’re grateful for in your life now? How can you cultivate a sense of gratitude and appreciation for your inner child?
  7. What are some of the things you do to numb or distract yourself from negative emotions or experiences? How can you develop healthier coping mechanisms?
  8. What were some of the things you were afraid of as a child? How can you offer comfort and reassurance to your inner child now?
  9. What are some of the things that make you feel safe and secure? How can you cultivate a sense of safety and security for your inner child?
  10. What were some of the things you needed from your caregivers that you didn’t receive? How can you start to meet those needs for yourself now?
a laptop on a sofa

Inner child journaling prompts for childhood trauma

  1. How have your traumas impacted your mental health?
  2. What are some of the ways you coped with your traumas?
  3. How have your traumas impacted your ability to set boundaries?
  4. How have your traumas impacted your ability to make decisions?
  5. What’s your earliest memory related to your childhood traumas?
  6. How have your traumas impacted your ability to feel joy and pleasure?
  7. How can you work towards healing and moving forward from your traumas?
  8. How have your traumas impacted your self-esteem and sense of self-worth?
  9. How have your traumas impacted your ability to love and accept yourself?
  10. What are some of the ways your traumas have impacted your sense of identity?
  11. How have your traumas impacted your ability to achieve your goals and dreams?
  12. How has your past trauma impacted your ability to form healthy relationships?
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  1. What are some of the positive beliefs you developed as a result of your traumas?
  2. What are some of the ways your traumas have impacted your ability to trust others?
  3. What are some of the ways your childhood trauma has impacted your physical health?
  4. What are some of the ways your childhood trauma has impacted your spiritual beliefs?
  5. What are some of the negative beliefs you developed as a result of your childhood trauma?
  6. How did your traumas affect your relationships with family members and your closest friends?
  7. What are some of the ways your traumas have impacted your ability to communicate effectively?
  8. What are some of the ways your traumas have impacted your ability to be present in the moment?
  9. What emotions come up when you think about your traumas? How do these emotions impact you now?
  10. What are some of the ways your childhood trauma has impacted your ability to express emotions?
  11. What are some of the ways your childhood trauma has impacted your ability to feel safe and secure?
  12. What are some of the ways your childhood traumas have impacted your ability to forgive yourself and others?
  13. What are some of the ways your traumas have impacted your ability to feel compassion and empathy for others?
guided journals trio

Shadow work questions to ask your inner child

  1. What are some of your favorite memories from your childhood? How can you honor and celebrate those childhood memories now?
  2. What are some of the things you’re passionate about in your life now? How can you cultivate a sense of purpose and fulfillment with your inner child?
  3. What are some of the ways you can practice self-care and self-love? How can you nurture and care for your inner child?
  4. What are some of the things you can do to connect with nature and the world around you? How can you nurture that sense of awe and wonder in your inner child?
  5. What are some of the things you’re ashamed of from your past? How can you practice self-forgiveness and compassion for those experiences with your inner child?
  6. What are some of the things you want to let go of from your past? How can you release those burdens and move forward? This is one of my favorite journal prompts for healing your inner child, for sure. It’s all about letting go of the past.
  7. What are some of the ways you have been harmed or backstabbed in your life? How can you offer compassion and understanding to your inner child in those negative situations?
  8. What are some of the things you’re curious about in your life now? How can you nurture that sense of wonder and exploration in your inner child?
  9. Explore the connection between your favorite things and your unconscious mind. What do your favorite activities or hobbies reveal about your inner child’s needs and desires? How can you use this knowledge to connect with your inner child and nurture yourself?
  10. Write about your shadow self and how it affects your daily life. What aspects of yourself do you hide from others or deny about yourself? How can you bring those aspects into your conscious awareness and work towards integrating them into your personality? Consider exploring this through a dialogue with your imaginary friend or a trusted loved one.
  11. Consider the concept of personal growth and development in relation to your inner child. How can you nurture your inner child to support your personal growth and well-being? Reflect on what your inner child needs from you in order to feel safe, loved, and validated. Consider exploring this through a visualization exercise where you imagine yourself spending a lot of time with your inner child and getting to know them better.
  12. Human beings are complex creatures with many different layers and aspects to their personalities. Write about a part of your personality that you have been hesitant to explore or acknowledge. How does this relate to your unconscious mind and inner child wounds? How can you approach this aspect of yourself with an open mind and a willingness to learn and grow? Reflect on how facing this part of yourself can support your inner child’s healing and personal development journey.
  13. Reflect on your first time experiencing a situation that triggered your inner child’s wounds. Write about how you felt at the time and how that experience has shaped your personality traits and subconscious mind. What have you learned about yourself since then, and what conscious decisions have you made to heal those wounds?
  14. Think about a part of your personality that has been with you for a long time. How does it relate to your childhood self and the unconscious mind? In what ways has this aspect of yourself hindered or helped your personal development and growth? Reflect on how you can use this knowledge to cultivate more self-awareness and make positive changes.
  15. Write about a conscious decision you made to overcome a limiting belief or negative self-talk. How did you use your conscious awareness to shift your subconscious mind and create a new reality for yourself? Consider exploring this through a visualization exercise where you imagine yourself talking to your younger self and offering them support and encouragement.
a pin that says in a large font the best journal prompts for healing your inner child
a pin that says in a large font the best journal prompts for healing your inner child

FAQ: What is your inner child?

Your inner child refers to the part of you that holds onto childhood emotions, experiences, and memories. This inner child can be both positive and negative.

On the positive side, your inner child might be the source of your creativity, spontaneity, and sense of wonder.

On the negative side, your inner child might be carrying emotional wounds or traumas from your past that can impact your present-day experiences and relationships.

Think of your inner child as a metaphorical representation of your younger self.

Just as you physically grow and change as you age, your inner child evolves and develops as you move through your entire life.

However, unlike our physical selves, our inner child remains a constant part of who we are.

It’s the part of us that still gets excited about a favorite childhood memory or that feels triggered by a certain situation or emotion.

Connecting with your inner child can be a powerful way to promote healing and self-discovery.

By exploring the emotions and experiences that shaped your childhood experience, you can start to understand yourself on a deeper level and address any unresolved issues or old wounds.

With time and practice, you can learn to nurture and care for your inner child, creating a more harmonious relationship between your inner world and the outer world.

journal on a table

FAQ: How can you connect with your inner child?

Let’s talk about fun ways to heal your inner child. Connecting with your inner child can be a deeply healing experience.

It allows you to tap into the emotions and childhood experiences that shaped you as a child and to connect with a part of yourself that you may have forgotten or buried over time.

If you’re looking to connect with your inner child, here are some tips that can help:

Spend time doing things you loved as a child

Did you love drawing or playing with dolls? Did you have a favorite game or activity that you enjoyed?

By revisiting these activities as an adult, you can tap into the joy and wonder of childhood and connect with your inner child.

Look at old photos and mementos

Sometimes, looking at old photos or keepsakes from your childhood can help you connect with your inner child.

You might find yourself remembering long-forgotten memories or feeling nostalgic for a time when life was simpler.

Practice self-compassion

Your inner child may be carrying emotional wounds or traumas from your past.

By practicing self-compassion and treating yourself with kindness, you can start to heal those wounds and connect with your inner child in a positive way.

Explore your emotions

Your inner child may be holding onto emotions that you’ve been suppressing as an adult.

By exploring your emotions and giving yourself permission to feel them, you can start to connect with your inner child and understand their needs and desires.

Write a letter to your inner child

It’s one of my favorite activities to heal your inner child. Your journal is your safe space.

Whether you write just one sentence or tons of paragraphs, what matters is that you say whatever’s on your mind.

Remember, connecting with your inner child is a personal journey, and there is no right or wrong way to do it.

By taking small steps and approaching the process with curiosity and kindness, you can start to connect with your inner child and experience the healing benefits that come with that connection.

You might also like: Practical ways you can show up for yourself every single day
journal aesthetic

FAQ: Why is it really important to heal your inner child?

Inner child healing is a process of reconnecting with and healing the emotional wounds of your childhood.

It involves acknowledging and addressing the painful or traumatic experiences that may have impacted your development and learning to provide yourself with the love, care, and attention that you may have missed out on as a child.

Inner child healing is important because the experiences and emotions of your childhood can have a profound impact on your adult life.

By connecting with your inner child and addressing any unresolved issues, you can start to heal those emotional wounds and develop a more positive sense of self.

Inner child healing is a great way to gain a greater understanding of your own needs and desires and cultivate more compassionate and loving relationships with yourself and others.

It’s worth noting that inner child healing is not a one-time event but rather an ongoing process.

It requires patience, self-compassion, and a willingness to confront difficult emotions and experiences.

However, with time and practice, it can be a powerful tool for promoting healing, growth, and self-discovery.

a person writing in a journal

FAQ: How can you heal your inner child with the help of journaling?

Journaling is one of the best tools for healing your inner child.

By putting your unfiltered thoughts and emotions on paper, you can start to explore the experiences and emotions that shaped you as a child.

You’ll learn to work through any unresolved issues or wounds.

Here are some tips for using journaling to heal your inner child:

Set aside time to journal regularly

The best way to get started is to carve out a few minutes each day to sit down with your journal and write.

This could be in the morning, before bed, or any other time that works for you. Consistency is key, so try to make journaling a regular habit.

Here’s my all-time favorite inner child guided journal to help you reparent your inner child.

I also really like this shadow work workbook that promises to help you release emotional blocks and heal your inner child.

Write freely and without judgment

When you sit down to write, give yourself permission to write whatever comes to mind. Don’t worry about grammar, spelling, or punctuation.

Write freely and without judgment while using those journal prompts for inner child healing that I gave you before. Allow your thoughts and emotions to flow onto the page.

Explore your emotions

Use your journal to explore the emotions that come up for you as you write. Are there any patterns or recurring themes?

What emotions do you feel most strongly? By exploring your emotions, you can begin to understand your inner child’s needs and desires.

Practice self-compassion

As you write, be kind and compassionate toward yourself. Acknowledge any painful or difficult emotions that come up.

Offer yourself the unconditional love and support that you may have missed out on as a child.

Set intentions for healing

Use your journal to set intentions for healing and growth. What do you want to achieve through your inner-child healing work?

How do you want to feel? By setting clear intentions, you can focus your energy and attention on the healing process.

So, grab your favorite journal and a pen, and let’s get started on the path to healing your inner child with the help of my journal prompts for healing your inner child.

You might also like: Forgiveness journal prompts to help you forgive yourself right now

What are your favorite shadow work journal prompts for healing your inner child?

Do you like journaling? What are your favorite writing prompts for healing? I would love to hear your thoughts!

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