Have you ever noticed how sometimes, even as an adult, certain situations can trigger a deep feeling of unease, a sense of vulnerability that feels disproportionate to what’s actually happening?
Maybe criticism stings a little too sharply, or you find yourself hesitating to trust even when there’s no clear reason to doubt. For many of us, these reactions can stem from the experiences and conditioning of our childhood. Think of your inner child as that little roommate living inside you – it’s that part of you that has been around since you were a kid, soaking up all the experiences of growing up until now. This inner child might still be carrying some wounds or unmet needs that make the adult world feel unsafe sometimes.
Imagine that little you, maybe at a younger age, who didn’t always feel secure, seen, or heard. Perhaps there were times of uncertainty, criticism, or even moments that felt scary or overwhelming. That inner child remembers. And sometimes, as adults, those unhealed parts of us can still react as if those past experiences are happening now, leading to feelings of anxiety, distrust, or a constant sense of being on guard.
But here’s the beautiful truth: you have the power to offer that inner child the safety and love it might have longed for. You can create a “forever home” within yourself, a sanctuary where that younger part of you can always feel secure and cherished. This is where the concept of your inner safe space comes in, not just as a general tool for calm, but as a deeply personal haven for your inner child. This little roommate inside deserves a safe and loving environment.
What is This “Safe Space” We’re Talking About?
Think of your inner safe space as a special place you create within your mind and heart. It’s a refuge that’s always available to you, no matter what’s happening in the outside world. This isn’t a physical location, but a feeling and a state of mind you can access simply by turning inward. It’s a place of absolute peace, unconditional acceptance, and profound comfort – a place where your inner child can finally exhale and know they are safe.
This safe space is unique to you. It can be a real place you’ve visited and loved, a completely imagined sanctuary, or even just a feeling of being surrounded by warmth and light. The key is that it evokes a sense of utter security and calm within you for that inner child.
Here are some key reminders to start creating this safe inner safe space or your inner child:
- Find a Quiet Moment to Connect: Choose a time when you can have a few minutes of uninterrupted stillness. Maybe before bed, during a break, or first thing in the morning.
- Get Comfortable and Breathe: Find a relaxed position, sitting or lying down, and close your eyes gently. Take a few slow, deep breaths to center yourself. With each exhale, imagine letting go of any tension or worries, for yourself and for your inner child.
- Invite Your Inner Child: Gently bring your awareness to your inner child. You might imagine them as a specific age, or simply as a feeling of vulnerability and innocence within you. Acknowledge their presence with kindness, like you would greet your inner roommate.
- Imagine Your Safe Place Together: Now, in your mind’s eye, begin to create or visit your inner safe space. It could be a sun-drenched meadow filled with wildflowers, a cozy cabin with a crackling fireplace, a quiet corner in a beloved library, or even being held in a pair of loving arms. Invite your inner child to explore this space with you. Ask them what makes them feel safe and happy here.
- Engage All Your Senses for Deeper Comfort: What do you see in this space? What are the sounds? Are there any comforting smells? What does it feel like to touch the surfaces or the air around you? The more vivid you make it, the more real and comforting it will feel for your inner child. For instance, if it’s a beach, you might feel the warm sun on your skin, hear the gentle lapping of the waves, smell the salty air, and see the vastness of the ocean stretching out before you – all sensations your inner child can experience too.
- Offer Words of Love and Reassurance: In your safe space, talk to your inner child with the same gentle compassion you would offer any child who is feeling scared or uncertain. Tell them they are safe, they are loved, and they are not alone. Reassure them that you, as their adult self, are here to take care of them now. Let that little roommate know you’ve got their back.
- Create an Anchor of Safety: As you spend time in your safe space with your inner child, focus on the feeling of peace and security that arises. You might choose a special object in your safe space – a smooth stone, a favourite toy, a soft blanket – and imagine holding it as a symbol of this safety. You can also choose a word or phrase that instantly connects you to this feeling of safety for you both.
- Journaling Prompts for Connection with Your Inner Child:
- How did my inner child feel today? What might they need to hear from me?
- What does my inner safe space look and feel like right now to my inner child?
- What are some things I can do to make my inner child feel more safe and loved this week?
- What are some memories from my childhood that still bring my inner child joy? I can revisit those feelings in our safe space.
- If my inner child could tell me one thing they need right now, what would it be?
- Affirmations for Your Inner Child Connection:
- My inner child is safe and loved within me.
- I am creating a safe and nurturing space for my inner child to heal and grow.
- I am the loving adult my inner child deserves.
- It is safe for both of us to feel all our emotions.
- I trust my ability to care for myself and my inner child.
Creating an inner safe space isn’t just a nice idea; it’s a powerful act of self-compassion and healing, especially when we connect it with our inner child – that constant companion within us. By offering that younger part of ourselves a consistent and loving sanctuary within, we can begin to soothe old wounds, build trust in ourselves, and navigate the world with a greater sense of security and calm. Remember, you have the ability to create this forever home within you, a place where your inner child can always feel safe, cherished, and unconditionally loved, right alongside you. Take the time to build it, visit it often with your inner child, and watch as a deeper sense of peace and wholeness blossoms within both of you.
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