Finding self-love and acceptance through inner-child work

These two pictures represent my two inner children that are still present and whom I have learned to reconnect with, forgive, accept and love as an equally important part of me. The one on the left represents the free and happy part of me that just wants to play, feel safe, connected, and loved. 

I have had much love for this little Sun Mee, while I have struggled to be compassionate with the older, judging her, criticizing her, or feeling ashamed that she has no clue about her Korean background.

They both have been troubled to express themselves fully— out of fear of judgment, resentment, or loss of control.

The older one had to suppress grief and loss of her Korean culture and previous life to fit in and fulfill the narrative of the perfectly integrated adopted foreign child. Now, I can see and acknowledge her strength, resilience, and accomplishments.

I had always been hesitant of going deeper with inner child work out of the fear of feeling too much and not finding the right person to work with, and in the end, it was a combination of somatic, cognitive, and spiritual energy work that has allowed me to understand and arrive at a place of 

❤︎ Radical SELF-ACCEPTANCE and SELF-LOVE.

What I have learned in all of this:

➥ If we can not love ALL of our Selves/Parts/Beings—we can not heal from our stories. We continue to self-criticize and block ourselves 

➥ from moving forward in our relationships and work 

➥ from stepping into OUR truth—not others 

➥ living by our authentic values—and becoming aware of what these are)

➥ Every day is a new chance to start exploring.

➥ That doesn’t mean this work is easy, painless, or a quick fix—but it offers so much opportunity to heal our wounds and deepen our relationship with ourselves AND others.

What experiences have you had with your inner child or younger self?

I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences!

♥︎ Warmly, Sun Mee.