Have you ever overreacted to a small comment

or suddenly felt like a child in the middle of an adult conversation?

That may have been your inner child speaking.

According to German psychotherapist Stefanie Stahl, the inner child is the part of our psyche that holds onto early emotional experiences, both joyful and painful.

Understanding this inner voice is the key to unlocking self-awareness and emotional healing.

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👉 What Is the Inner Child?

The inner child represents the emotional self that developed in our formative years.

It’s not just a psychological metaphor — it’s an emotional reality that continues to influence how we react, connect, and make decisions as adults.

🌞 The Sun Child: The Positive Inner Child

When nurtured, the inner child brings out our:

• Playfulness and curiosity
• Joy and spontaneity
• Creativity and wonder
• Empathy and emotional openness
• Authenticity and presence

This Sun Child, as Stahl calls it, is the source of light in our personality — our ability to connect genuinely with ourselves and others.

🌑 The Shadow Child: The Wounded Inner Child

On the flip side, unmet needs and emotional wounds create what Stahl refers to as the Shadow Child, which holds our pain, fears, and limiting beliefs.

Key characteristics include:

• Fear of rejection or abandonment
• Low self-esteem and chronic self-doubt
• Emotional overreactions or shutdowns
• People-pleasing or avoiding conflict
• Self-sabotage in love, work, or health

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👉 Signs Your Inner Child Is Running the Show

⛔ In Work:

• Difficulty receiving feedback
• Overworking to feel “worthy”
• Constant need for validation or approval

⛔ In Relationships: