4 x 4, what I am working on right now

[manuel_moe_g]

Hi Oak!

Thanks for all the wonderful things you said, Oak! I means a lot to me coming from you.

[manuel_moe_g]

My inner child is scared of things where he cannot predict the outcome. Hmm

[manuel_moe_g]

my inner child "future trips" ( https://www.healthyplace.com/blogs/trea ... or%20other. ) until he arrives at a really depressing place, which is a familiar place for him.

my inner child is scared to be hurried - afraid will make a mistake

in general, my inner child is afraid to make a mistake

[Beany Boo]

I think your idea of just listening to your inner child is inspired. It could be the turning point.

A child who isn’t heard gets scared. A child who feels their fear threatens the relationship with the parent learns not to show fear. On the inside, they’re scared to be scared. That’s the quality of the tone in the voice; scared and scared to be that way.

If you listen, and stay, and signal that you’ll stay, that painful quality will de-escalate.

It’s also okay to show your inner child that you’re scared too. Then they see that your fear is not of them. Then they can learn what to actually be scared of, by watching you face things in the world.

And that you’re in it together.

[manuel_moe_g]

Thanks Beany Boo!

Part of why showering is hard for me, is that my inner child hates to be forced to do something.

[Beany Boo]

To a child, a shower is a major event. Lead up to it more gently. Take a rubber duck. One that quacks.

[oak]

Agreed with our friend Beany Boo.

Per an anxiety hierarchy, tomorrow turn on the shower and splash the water around. No washing allowed!

Bring the duck. And maybe a plastic ship. Have the duck Godzilla the ship into a million imaginary pieces.

Do a silly dance. Listen to your favorite song. Make up a song about The Shower Monster. Start to order it around.

[manuel_moe_g]

My younger self used to play and play and play in the bathtub, with all kinds of floaty toys. I may have lost that ability, in the same way I lost the ability to cry.

My inner child is really relieved that I have stopped trying to shame myself into desired behaviors. So that is good.

My inner child is a depressed little guy, he cannot help it, he doesn't want to be hated for it.

[rivergirl]

"My inner child is a depressed little guy, he cannot help it, he doesn't want to be hated for it."

This is sad and beautiful, Manuel Moe.

I'm glad you're not shaming him. He deserves to be comforted and loved.

[manuel_moe_g]

Thanks Rivergirl!

When it comes to eating, my inner child loves how _fast_ it works for managing my mood.

When it comes to sleeping, my inner child loves dreams. Taken away for a new dream situation, then don't have to worry about that new situation when you wake up! Like magic!

My inner child also loves naps. Break time!

When it comes to feeling that are intense, my inner child likes to lay on the floor motionless. Maybe someone nice will notice something is wrong.

I don't hate you, inner child. But you drag me along on your journeys with feelings, make it difficult to adult properly. Sigh.