Latest news with #innerchild


Daily Mail
12 hours ago
- General
- Daily Mail
Therapist reveals ten signs that you may have grown up with a narcissistic mother - and need to 'heal your inner child'
A therapist has revealed ten signs that could mean you grew up with a narcissist mother - and how they could still be affecting you as a grown-up. Taking to TikTok, complex trauma survivor and inner child healing specialist Carly Boyle, who is UK based, shared past behaviours to reflect on and see if any resonate, as they could have long-term impacts on who you are today. The first, she expressed in the video, is that your parent made 'everything about her'. 'Even her emotions became your drama,' she explained. 'You were never the centre of your own story.' Next, the pro added, was instances where your feelings may have been invalidated - or you were told to 'stop being so sensitive'. 'Three, she used guilt as a form of manipulation and control,' Carly continued. 'You learned to put her needs above your own.' Another example of a narcissistic mother is one that 'competed with you instead of cheering you on' - never joining in to make you feel good about your looks, character or accomplishments. Elsewhere, despite causing emotional turmoil, this type of parent is one that 'never apologised even when clearly in the wrong', the therapist said. Instead, 'she gaslit you'. The sixth trait, Carly explained, was that despite being the one who had the duty to take care of you, she 'parentified you'. Instead, you became the one to offer her emotional support. Other traits also included bringing chaos into your life through unstable relationships, gaslighting you and telling you things didn't happen as they did, as well as withholding love - hence making affection feel 'conditional'. Finally, Carly recounted, she 'broke your sense of self' - and made you feel scared to explore who you are as a person outside of your mother's child. The expert remarked that 'if you have experienced even just one of these then your inner child is still carrying the emotional burden that your mother placed on you'. She added that these are signs of 'emotional neglect', and demand 'inner child healing work'. In a caption, she also penned: 'If you grew up with a narcissistic mother, you might still be carrying the weight of her chaos. 'Maybe she made everything about her. Maybe her emotions always came first. Maybe you had to be the adult while she fell apart.' Her advice resonated with many commenters, many of whom opened up about their own experiences 'This kind of mother wounds your nervous system,' Carly wrote. 'It keeps the little girl inside of you stuck in survival mode - always trying to earn love, avoid conflict, and find safety in unstable people. 'You learned to silence your needs. To be the good girl. To not upset her. 'But deep down, you never got what every child deserves: stability, validation, and unconditional love.' She stressed: 'You are not broken. You were never too much. You were never the problem. 'Your healing begins when you stop minimising what you went through and start reparenting the little girl within.' Carly offers a workbook and course to help make the healing journey on her social media. Her advice resonated with many commenters, many of whom opened up about their own experiences. 'The silent treatment for days on end for doing something she didn't like or agree with,' one wrote. 'I'm 57 and she still does it,' another admitted. 'I never wanted to admit she was a narcissist, but she displayed all 10 behaviours,' a third penned. 'I finally woke up when I read Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents… I'm 37 and I finally went no contact last month.' Another confessed: 'Yes to all of them. I'm no contact now and grieving the mum I wish I had. Hoping one day I'll know who I am.' 'All 10 of these behaviours happened,' one added. 'Now I have my own children and it is a daily battle to raise them better than I was raised, whilst trying to heal myself at the same time.' 'Bless her, she still does. She is 75 now,' another comment read 'So many emotions, but I am lucky that she is still with me.'

News.com.au
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
People are only just learning what the ‘Disney Hug Rule' is
If there's anything that can heal your inner child, it's watching compilations online of kids hugging their favourite characters at Disneyland. They really get you every time, but if you look closely, you might notice a familiar pattern – the Disney character will keep hugging the child until they break off the hug. While it's not an officially mandated rule (although many others exist … more on that later), it's an informal guideline that many Disney theme park staff have embraced, so it's now become a standard practice. The adorable guideline helps ensure that the child feels their beloved character isn't pulling away. According to the Disney fan site Inside the Magic, the practice dates back to Walt Disney himself, who apparently said, 'You never know how much that child may need that hug.' TikTok features countless videos of this rule in action, including one heartwarming clip from @flickdash, showing a montage of kids hugging the characters for as long as they wish, and the characters patiently hold on until they let go. In another clip by @mccallcook, liked by 3.3 million people, a girl called Hazel is seen running up to Anna from Frozen and refusing to 'Let It Go' for more than two minutes. The character is seen chatting with Hazel and asking her questions endlessly until her parents finally manage to guide her away. 'I THINK SHE BROKE THE RECORD WHAT DO YOU THINK?' Hazel's mum wrote in the caption. 'I think Hazie would've sat there all day long if there wasn't a line behind us.' In the comments, people were getting teary over the adorable moment. 'This is so pure and innocent,' said one. 'I'm sorry, but how do you not break down crying every time this happens?' another asked. However, some wondered whether the parents should've stepped in to break the hug sooner and let another child have their turn. 'As a parent, I would have stopped it earlier,' said one. 'The parents should know that the hug went on for way too long as they put the Disney worker in an awkward position,' added someone else. Other official rules at the parks include that characters must never eat in public, tattoos need covering, staff must be able to sign autographs as their character, and no staff member can say 'I don't know' in response to a question. Also, if a staff member wears glasses and their character doesn't, they'll need to wear contact lenses to keep it authentic. For guests, no one over 14 is allowed to wear costumes so they aren't mistaken for real characters, and guests staying at the Disney Hotel aren't permitted to hang wet towels, swimmers, or clothes off their balconies.
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
15 Things Your Inner Child Is Still Waiting To Hear
We carry our childhood whispers like secret companions, often too faint to decipher but too persistent to ignore. These echoes of our younger selves shape our desires, fears, and the way we navigate the world. The words we yearned for then might still hold the power to unlock doors in our minds today. Here, we explore those unspoken affirmations that can soothe your inner child and maybe, just maybe, offer you the grace to grow and glow. In the age of perfectionism, the notion of being enough as you are feels almost radical. Your younger self needed to hear that your worth is innate, not dictated by achievements or accolades. Research by Dr. Brené Brown highlights that acknowledgment of inherent worth fosters resilience and authenticity in adulthood. Remember, your essence is not to be measured by external standards, but cherished in its unaltered form. The relentless quest for approval can be traced back to moments when self-worth felt conditional. Imagine whispering to your inner child, reassuring them that their mere existence is a triumph. Perfection is an illusion; being enough is the reality you deserve to embrace. Letting go of the need for validation is a practice worth honing, a gift to the child within. Sadness is often treated like a stain to scrub away, but what if it were simply part of the tapestry of life? Your inner child craved the freedom to cry without judgment, to recognize sorrow without shame. Allowing yourself to experience sadness can be liberating, a profound act of self-compassion that acknowledges your full emotional spectrum. You learned to hide your tears, believing vulnerability was weakness. What if, instead, you let your inner child know that feeling sad is part of being human? Embracing your emotions, rather than stifling them, frees up space for healing and growth. It's only through facing your shadows that you can bask in the light. The dreams you held as a child were pure, untainted by the cynicism of adulthood. Yet, somewhere along the way, you might have been taught they were frivolous or out of reach. Dr. Gail Matthews, a psychology professor, found that writing down goals increases the likelihood of achieving them by 42%. Your inner child needs to hear that those dreams still hold value and are worthy of pursuit. Reignite those dreams, even if they seem silly or grandiose. Give your inner child permission to imagine without limits, to pursue passions that spark joy. Nurturing these dreams is not merely a nostalgic act but a commitment to living authentically. Remember, the dreams you once whispered to the stars are still waiting to be realized. Love with conditions is a transaction, one your inner child might have become all too familiar with. It's time to dismantle this notion and rebuild it with unconditional regard. An affection not linked to performance or behavior, but simply because you are you, is the type of love that can heal old wounds. Picture the child you were, seeking validation in a world that sometimes seemed indifferent. Your inner child needs to hear that love is not a reward but a given. Accepting love freely, without the weight of expectations, is a revolutionary act of self-care. It's a reminder that love, in its truest form, asks nothing of you but to exist. The fear of making mistakes is often rooted in a childhood where errors were met with criticism or punishment. Yet, every misstep is a stepping stone on the path to understanding and growth. Studies by Carol Dweck, a renowned psychologist, emphasize the importance of a growth mindset in fostering resilience and a love of learning. Tell your inner child that mistakes are not failures but opportunities in disguise. Consider the shame you might have felt when errors seemed like personal shortcomings. Reassure your inner child that in each mistake lies the potential for insight and innovation. Embrace the chaos of trial and error; it's the fertile ground where creativity blooms. Celebrate your imperfections as markers of a life fully lived and lessons well learned. The ability to say no is often misconstrued as defiance, especially for a child. Yet, having agency and setting boundaries is essential for healthy relationships and self-respect. Your inner child yearns to hear that their voice matters, that refusing is not rudeness but a declaration of self-worth. Reflect on times you felt obligated to say yes, even when every fiber of your being screamed no. Teaching your inner child that it's okay to prioritize their needs is a crucial step towards empowerment. Establishing boundaries is not an act of isolation, but one of self-preservation. It's a reminder that your time, energy, and happiness are valuable resources worth protecting. In moments of isolation, your inner child might have felt like an island in an indifferent ocean. But solitude is often an illusion, a trick of the mind that obscures the connections we inherently share. A study published in the Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology found that strong social connections reduce stress and improve overall well-being. Let your inner child know that they are part of a vibrant, interconnected web of humanity. Imagine telling your younger self that they are surrounded by unseen allies, even in solitude. Acknowledge the power of community, the comfort found in shared experiences and empathy. Reassure your inner child that reaching out is a sign of strength, not weakness. Together, we rise, bolstered by the invisible threads that bind us. Voicelessness can be one of the profound silences a child carries into adulthood. Maybe you were told to sit down, be quiet, and not make waves. Yet your inner child deserves to know that their perspectives and ideas hold immense value. Speak up, even if your voice shakes, for it is through expression that liberation is found. Think of all the times you swallowed your thoughts, fearing judgment or dismissal. Let your inner child hear that silence should not be a default, but a choice. Claim your right to articulate your truth, embracing the power words hold. In doing so, you validate your experiences and beliefs, empowering yourself and those who listen. Somewhere between childhood and adulthood, play often becomes a forgotten art. Yet, play is where creativity thrives, where joy is unfiltered and abundant. Your inner child needs to hear that play is not frivolous but rather a vital component of a balanced, fulfilling life. Allow yourself moments of spontaneity and silliness; they are the soul's playtime. Reflect on the pressure to be productive, to always justify your actions with tangible outcomes. Remind your inner child that play fosters imagination and innovation, key ingredients for a vibrant life. Embrace leisure without guilt, knowing that it's as essential as any work you undertake. Rediscover the magic of play, and let it infuse your existence with wonder and possibility. Conformity was often the unwritten rule of childhood, where fitting in felt safer than standing out. Yet, your uniqueness is your superpower, the spark that sets you apart. Your inner child needs to hear that being different is not a liability but an asset. Celebrate your quirks, for they are the threads that weave your distinctive tapestry. Consider the times you hid parts of yourself to blend into the crowd. Reassure your inner child that authenticity opens doors to genuine connections and opportunities. Revel in your peculiarities, knowing they are the hallmarks of a life unapologetically lived. Embrace the diversity within yourself, and watch as it enriches the world around you. Strength is often misconceived as brute force or unyielding toughness. Yet, true strength is the quiet resilience, the ability to endure and adapt in the face of adversity. Your inner child needs to hear that their strength is not measured by their invincibility, but by their courage to persevere. Reflect on the challenges that left you questioning your capacity to cope. Let your inner child know that resilience is forged in the crucible of experience, not in the absence of struggle. Embrace your fortitude, acknowledging the battles you've faced and the wisdom they've imparted. Stand firm in the knowledge that you are capable, courageous, and undeniably strong. In a culture obsessed with linear success, the idea of starting over feels daunting. Yet, every end is a new beginning, a chance to redefine and rediscover. Your inner child needs to hear that it's okay to pivot, to choose a different path when the current one no longer serves. Reinvention is not failure, but a profound act of self-actualization. Consider the fear of leaving behind familiarity, of leaping into the unknown. Reassure your inner child that change is not to be feared but embraced as a gateway to growth. Trust in your ability to rebuild, knowing that your foundation is unshakable. With every new chapter, you write the story of resilience and reinvention. The compulsion to prove oneself can be traced back to early quests for acknowledgment and validation. Yet, your worth is not contingent upon external approval or accolades. Your inner child needs to hear that they are whole and complete without having to justify their existence. Let go of the pressure to perform, and embrace the freedom of being. Think of the times you felt the need to overcompensate, to demonstrate your value tirelessly. Assure your inner child that they are not defined by their accomplishments, but by their essence. You have the liberty to exist authentically, free from the constraints of expectation. In the absence of proving, you find the peace of self-acceptance. Body image issues often originate in childhood, when comparisons and critiques shape self-perception. Yet, your body deserves to be celebrated for its strength, its resilience, and its uniqueness. Your inner child needs to hear that their body is not flawed, but a miraculous vessel that carries them through life. Embrace your form, knowing it is a masterpiece in its own right. Reflect on the societal ideals that dictated what beauty should be. Reassure your inner child that their beauty is not defined by conformity but by individuality. Nourish your body with compassion and gratitude, recognizing its incredible capabilities. In acceptance, you find liberation, a profound love for the skin you're in. Doubt can be a shadow that looms large, obscuring your potential and ambitions. Yet, your inner child needs to hear that they are capable of achieving greatness, of realizing their dreams. Believe in the power of possibility, knowing that the only limits are the ones you impose. Your potential is boundless, waiting to be unleashed. Consider the moments when you questioned your abilities when fear held you back from pursuing your passions. Reaffirm to your inner child that they possess the skills, the vision, and the tenacity to succeed. Trust in your journey, knowing that every step forward is a testament to your capability. In the pursuit of greatness, you honor the child who dared to dream.