The Inner Child Never Forgets: Healing the Wounds That Follow Us

Have you ever noticed an ache you can’t quite name—like a part of you got left behind somewhere along the way? As women on a path of healing and spiritual growth, many of us carry stories from childhood that continue to echo through our adult lives. These stories show up in the quiet moments when we doubt our worth, in the way we put others first, or in the fear that we’ll never truly belong.
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I’ve walked this path myself and witnessed it in so many others—the way our inner child calls out not to be fixed, but to be seen, held, and honored. That ache you feel? It’s a sacred invitation. In this post, we’ll explore how inner child wounds form, how they follow us, and how shamanic healing offers a path to true soul restoration.

The Roots of Inner Child Wounds

Your inner child is the thread that connects who you were then to who you are now. When we were young, we depended on those around us to nurture our emotional needs. But what happens when those needs weren’t met in the ways we longed for? Maybe no one meant to hurt us, but the missed embraces, the unspoken affirmations, the times we were told it wasn’t okay to feel angry or sad or scared, all left their mark.

As children, we didn’t have the words to explain these moments of disconnection. Instead, we internalized them. “Maybe it’s me,” our young minds would whisper. “Maybe I’m too much. Maybe I’m not good enough.” These beliefs nestle in, influencing how we see ourselves and how we show up in the world.


How Wounds Show Up in Adult Life
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Unhealed wounds don’t disappear just because we grow up. They follow us, like an invisible thread. They show up in the relationships we choose, the way we handle conflict, the stories we tell ourselves about our worth.

• Self-Sabotage
  Have you found yourself avoiding opportunities, even when they light you up? Maybe you downplay your success or procrastinate until the last possible moment. Deep down, there might be a part of you whispering, “If I try too hard and fail, then I’ll confirm I’m not enough.” Self-sabotage often originates from a belief that failure feels safer than risking rejection or disapproval.
  
  
• People-Pleasing
  Perhaps you’re always putting others first, saying “yes” even when “no” would serve you better. Maybe you’re hyper-tuned to other people’s needs, trying to anticipate what will keep them happy. This can be rooted in a childhood where love felt conditional, where approval was earned and not freely given.
  
  
• Fear of Abandonment
  Maybe connections feel fragile, like they could disappear the moment you’re less than perfect. Or maybe you overextend yourself in relationships, trying to secure love by giving more than you can afford. These behaviors often trace back to early moments when love or safety felt uncertain.
  
  
• Emotional Reactivity
  Do your emotions sometimes feel like a storm you can’t control? Does a small conflict leave you spiraling into feelings of rejection or worthlessness? These reactions often stem from unresolved pain, where old hurts are re-triggered by present-day experiences.
  
  

The pain is real, but it’s not the whole story. Beneath the pain lies a profound truth: you are whole, and you always have been. Healing isn’t about fixing yourself. It’s about peeling back the layers and finding the beauty that’s been there all along.


How Shamanic Healing Can Help

Shamanic healing is a sacred practice, one rooted in wisdom older than time. It invites us to go inward, to listen deeply, and to connect with a layer of consciousness that remembers who we truly are.

• Soul Retrieval
  Sometimes, when we experience pain or trauma, parts of our soul can become fragmented, retreating as a way to protect us. Shamanic practitioners often describe this process as losing a piece of yourself. Through soul retrieval, a trained healer journeys on your behalf, finding these missing pieces and gently inviting them back. The result is a sense of wholeness, like something long-lost has returned.
  
  
• Journeying
  Journeying is an ancient practice where you enter a meditative, dreamlike state, often guided by drumming or chanting. Here, you connect with compassionate spirit guides, ancestors, or inner archetypes. With their help, you can uncover your inner child’s unmet needs, offer them love, and rewrite the stories that no longer serve you.
  
  
• Compassionate Spirit Guides
  Imagine having a team of unseen allies, beings who walk beside you, offering guidance and love. These spirit guides can help you see yourself through clearer eyes, free from the distortions of past pain. They remind you of your strength, your worth, and your connection to something greater.

You’re Not Broken—You’re Remembering Yourself

Healing inner child wounds isn't about erasing the past. It's about tending to it with tenderness. It's about learning to sit beside that younger version of you and say, "I'm here now. You’re safe. You matter."

The truth is, every step you take on the healing path is a homecoming. A return to your essence. A reclamation of your sacred wholeness.

You don’t need to be “fixed.” You are not broken. You are a soul remembering itself.
So take a breath. Pour another cup of tea. You’re doing beautifully.

And if you’re ready to go deeper—to meet your inner child, retrieve the lost parts of your soul, and walk with spirit as your guide—know that shamanic healing is here to welcome you home.