50 Journal Prompts To Heal Your Inner Child

Healing the inner child is the key to healing your whole self. The inner child is a representation of everything you were taught or experienced growing up before the age of 7, and anything that has been repressed or unresolved since then.

Healing the inner child is about reconnecting with the authentic you, forgiving the past, and releasing old wounds and hurts that may have contributed to certain behaviors and patterns you have today. Journaling for healing your inner child is a powerful tool for breaking free from patterns, connecting with the little one within, and reawakening the joy, creativity, and spirit you may have buried over the years.

50 Healing Journal Prompts for the Inner Child

These journal prompts are designed to help you heal your inner child. They focus on self-love, self-discovery, and emotional healing. They will allow you to open up, be vulnerable, and identify patterns from your childhood that need attention, healing, and nurturing.

What were some things you loved to do as a child that you don’t have time for anymore?
Identify activities you no longer have time for, ask yourself why you stopped doing them, and try to reconnect with the fun-loving child within.
What was your favorite place to be in your childhood home?
Describe the place where you felt most at peace and free from worry. What physical attributes do you associate with this place? How can you recapture this feeling today?
What was the first moment you felt truly loved and appreciated for who you were?
Think of a moment when you felt seen for who you are. Write about that moment and explore what made it special.
What was your childhood dream job, and what do you think was your true calling?
Think about the childhood dream you used to have and whether it is still relevant today. Did your dreams or aspirations change? Why do you think that happened?
Write a letter to your inner child, comforting them and letting them know it’s okay.
Imagine talking to your younger self. What words of wisdom would you share with them? What would you say to reassure them, validate their feelings, and let them know you’re always there for them?
What memory from your childhood would you like to experience all over again, and why?
Choose a memory that makes you feel safe, happy, or free, and write about it. Who was there? Where were you? How does it make you feel?
What did you fear as a child, and do any of these fears still exist today?
Explore what you feared when you were younger and how you may still carry those fears with you today. What can you do about them in the present?
Who was your childhood hero and what did they do that made you look up to them?
Think of the qualities and traits your childhood hero possessed that made you admire them. Are these traits things you can foster in yourself now?
Think of a time when you were misunderstood as a child.
Describe a time when you felt unseen or unheard. How did that make you feel, and how has it contributed to your current behavior or perception of yourself?
How did you get along with your parents or caregivers as a child?
Write about the patterns that existed between you and your parents. Did you have unspoken rules or emotional needs that were unmet and still haunt you today?
How did you express your emotions as a child?
Recall how you expressed or handled your emotions as a child. Did you bottle up your feelings, or did you freely express yourself? What can you learn from the emotional responses of your inner child?
What do you remember the most about your childhood friendships?
Write about the connections you made with your friends as a child. Did you choose friends with shared interests, or did you bond over simply being part of the group?
Describe a moment in your childhood when you felt completely safe and nurtured.
Write about a moment where you felt loved and taken care of. How do you give yourself that feeling of being nurtured now?
What’s the first memory you have of feeling disappointed or let down?
Write about the first time you felt disappointed. How did you deal with it then, and what expectations of others were you holding on to since?
Think of a childhood memory that still makes you smile today.
Think of a memory, no matter how small, that still makes you smile. Write about that memory and ask yourself why it means so much to you.
How did you feel about going to school when you were a child?
Write about your experience in school. Did you feel confident or insecure? What can you learn from that time?
What was your favorite childhood book or story?
Was there a story that left a deep impression on you as a child? Recall what it was and analyze why it struck a chord within you then and what it might reveal about you now.
When was the first time you felt truly proud of yourself?
Recall a moment when you did something you were proud of. What was the feeling like? Why was it important to you then, and does it still mean the same thing to you now?
What did you do for comfort when you were a child?
Explore how you turned to comfort as a child. What coping mechanisms did you have, and how do you apply them to comfort yourself now?
Describe a moment when you were punished or reprimanded as a child. How did you feel?
Recall a moment when you were scolded and how that made you feel. How can you heal the emotions you still harbor from that moment?
What did your perfect world look like when you were a child?
Recall your childhood fantasies and visions of the perfect life. How do they differ from how you see your life now, and how can you bring some of that childlike hope into your adult life?
What’s one part of your childhood you would change if you could?
Is there anything about your childhood you would like to change? Write about what it was and what could have been done differently to help release any lingering resentment.
Write about one of the most important lessons you learned as a child.
Recall one of the most significant lessons you picked up during your childhood years. Was there one lesson that stuck with you over time? Write about it.
What would you say to your younger self if you could give them advice now?
Give your inner child advice on how to be more compassionate, how to face challenges, and most importantly, how to be worthy of love.
When and how did you first learn to suppress your emotions, and why?
Recall the first time you learned to hide or suppress your emotions. When did that happen? How did it help you then, and what can you do to unlearn it now?
Who was the first person to hurt your feelings when you were a child?
Write about the first time someone’s actions or words hurt your feelings. How has this affected your perceptions of them and yourself?
What part of your childhood do you miss as an adult?
Is there a part of your childhood you miss? Innocence? Simplicity? Comfort? Reflect on what it was and why you miss it. How can you re-create that feeling now?
What were the emotions you had a difficult time expressing as a child?
Think of the emotions you had a difficult time expressing when you were young. Whether it was sadness, anger, or even joy, how did you get by then, and what can you do now to have a healthier way of dealing with them?
How did your family show love when you were growing up?
Recall how your parents or family showed love and affection when you were younger. Was it through verbal communication, physical touch, or actions? How can you show more love in a similar manner today?
What was your favorite childhood holiday or celebration?
Write about a favorite holiday or day of celebration you fondly remember. What made it so special? How can you bring that magic to your celebrations now?
What childhood experiences made you feel like an outcast?
Reflect on those times when you felt like you didn’t belong. What triggered those emotions, and how have they played a part in your adult relationships?
What was your relationship with your body like when you were a child?
Recall how you felt about your body growing up. Did you feel uncomfortable or confident? How do you nurture a positive body image for your inner child now?
What did your emotional landscape look like as a child?
Write about the emotions you experienced when you were a child. Did you freely express joy, sadness, and anger, or did you bottle up your emotions?
What did you crave most from your caregivers but never received as a child?
Think of the things you longed for but never received as a child and what that lack of love meant to you. How can you provide those same things for yourself now?
What was your first experience with heartbreak or loss as a child?
Recall your first heartbreak or loss. It could have been a friend, pet, or family member.
What part of your childhood self do you want to reconnect with now?
Think of a quality or character trait you possessed as a child that you want to reignite. How can you begin that process?
Write a letter to your inner child forgiving them for all the things they did wrong or couldn’t control.
Write a letter of forgiveness to your inner child for the things they couldn’t help or any mistakes they made. Offer them compassion and understanding.
How did you experience the world as a child, and how is it different today?
Write about your perspective on life as a child and how it has changed over the years. What has changed? Why?
What parts of you as a child were neglected, and how do you give them attention now?
Think of any area of emotional neglect you experienced. How can you cater to those neglected parts now?
What does unconditional love look like to you now, and how can you offer it to your inner child?
Explore your thoughts about unconditional love and how you can offer it to your inner child. What steps can you take to practice it daily?
What were your dreams and goals like as a child, and how do they compare to your adult self now?
Recall your dreams as a child and compare them to your adult goals. How are they different? What has influenced those changes?
How did you handle rejection as a child?
Recall the first time you faced rejection. How did you cope? How do you cultivate resilience to tackle similar issues today?
What was your self-talk like as a child?
Think of the way you talked to yourself as a child. Write about it and see how it compares to how you talk to yourself now.
How did you celebrate your small victories as a child?
Recall how you rewarded yourself for small achievements as a child. What can you learn from those moments, and how can you celebrate yourself now?
What was the hardest thing about growing up for you?
Write about the difficulties you faced growing up and how you coped with them.
How did you view your parents’ relationship when you were a child?
Recall how you viewed your parents’ relationship growing up. How did this affect your perspective on love and relationships?
What do you wish you had known about yourself as a child?
Write about the wisdom and knowledge you’ve gained over the years. What would you say to your inner child?
What is one thing you would like to say to the child you once were?
Write a message to your younger self, offering understanding and care. Validate their emotions and give them the love and support they never received.
How would you nurture your inner child today?
Think about how you can nurture and comfort your inner child. How do you give them a sense of security? How do you love your inner child unconditionally?
What does inner peace mean to your inner child, and how do you provide it?
Explore the idea of inner peace and how you can give your inner child that feeling of reassurance to be at ease with themselves.

Final thought

Healing the inner child is a process that takes time and persistence. Remember to be kind and patient with yourself.

You may find that with each prompt, new things will come up for you to work through. This is the journey of self-love and self-compassion. So do not worry if journaling your inner child feels overwhelming at times.

Healing yourself is not something that happens overnight, and there is no rush in the process. The more time you invest in journaling for your inner child, the more peace and freedom you will find within yourself.

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ONWE DAMIAN

Onwe Damian Chukwuemeka is a relationship and self-improvement coach, as well as a final-year law student at the University of Calabar, Nigeria. He has distinguished himself in leadership and service, and has held key positions such as Deputy Director of Public Prosecution in the Students’ Union Government and Justice of the Malabor High Court, University of Calabar, Nigeria. Learn more about him

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