EP 19: Does Your Inner Teen Need Healing?
Welcome back to another episode of Breathe More! Today, let's dive into a topic that's often overlooked – our inner teenage self. We hear a lot about inner child work, but when was the last time you connected with that awkward, rebellious teenager within you?
Our teenage self is a crucial part of who we are. It seeks love, safety, and a sense of being heard. You might resonate with this if you've noticed patterns of repressed anger, self-sabotage, or passive-aggressive behavior in your life. Perhaps you find yourself being overly controlling or attracting the wrong partners. These are often signals from your inner teen, desperately trying to communicate its need for support and understanding.
Recognizing when your inner teen needs attention is the first step to being able to heal.
Ways to Connect with Your Inner Teen
1. Meditation: Start by connecting with your inner teen through meditation. Close your eyes, take deep breaths, and visualize your teenage self. What are they wearing? How do they feel? What do they need? This simple practice can provide profound insights into your inner world.
2. Journaling: Journaling allows raw emotions to surface. Write from the perspective of your teenage self, expressing hurt feelings, pain, or any emotions that may have been suppressed. This process can be therapeutic and lead to self-discovery.
3. Visualization: Look at a picture of yourself from your teenage years. Connect with the experiences and emotions of that time. What were you going through? This exercise fosters empathy and understanding for your teenage self.
Healing Techniques for Your Inner Teen
1. Express Yourself: Much of the healing revolves around feeling safe expressing yourself. If you experienced dismissal or felt unheard as a teenager, cultivating a safe space for expression is vital. Speak up, share your thoughts, and set boundaries.
2. Reconnect with Joy: Revisit activities that brought joy during your teenage years. Incorporate them into your adult life. This not only rejuvenates your spirit but also reassures your inner teen that they are still an essential part of your life.
3. Forgiveness: Practice forgiveness, whether directed towards others or yourself. Release any lingering resentment or guilt. This act of compassion and self-acceptance can be a powerful catalyst for healing.
4. Be Unapologetically Yourself: As adults, we often suppress aspects of our personalities. Rediscover and embrace these suppressed traits. Be playful, share your sense of humor, and be unapologetically yourself. Create a community where you can authentically express who you are.
Guided Meditation to Connect with Your Inner Teen
Follow these steps for a brief guided meditation to connect with your inner teen:
1. Find a comfortable space.
2. Close your eyes and take deep breaths.
3. Visualize your teenage self.
4. Connect with their emotions and experiences.
5. Create a safe space for them to express themselves.
6. Release any past emotions or memories.
7. Collect their energy with a golden sun visualization.
8. Bring the golden sun down, filling your inner teen with power and love.
9. Practice feeling safe being seen.
Connecting with your inner teen is a transformative journey. By acknowledging their presence and addressing their needs, you pave the way for healing and self-discovery. Share your experiences with me! How did the meditation work for you? Did you uncover any surprising insights or have any aha moments? I'd love to hear from you.
Thank you for joining me on this exploration of our inner teenage selves. Remember, your teenage self is a valuable part of who you are today. Embrace them, nurture them, and watch as your journey to healing unfolds.
Until next time, remember to breathe.
WORK WITH ANA:
CONNECT WITH ANA: