I think I have two distinct younger selves. The one I see the most is my inner little kid, she's probably about six and a generally very happy-go-lucky girl, probably because she's from before my trauma. I really enjoy being her and being with her, and I've invested in a bunch of calico critters and their playsets to re-visit what brought me the most joy during that time: playing pretend. I don't think I really need inner child work for her, she feels protected by her our mom, and I think by me as well.
However, my inner teen is much more reticent. I'm not sure if she's just much more intertwined with my current self, or if it's something else, but I want to help her more. I'm just really not sure how. I often daydream about going back in time with my current college knowlege, so that teenage-me could focus on having fun. Maybe part of me still thinks if I'd been even smarter, I'd be more valued, but I know that isn't accurate. People being cruel is outside of my control.
When I try to engage my inner teen in the same way I do with my inner child however, it just kind of falls flat. Inner child, who I'll be calling Jessie for convenience sake, is enthusiastic about playing again, about getting to stretch her legs. My inner teen doesn't want any of that, no video games, no magazines. I want to give her comfort, but I don't know how...
Any advice/ideas?
However, my inner teen is much more reticent. I'm not sure if she's just much more intertwined with my current self, or if it's something else, but I want to help her more. I'm just really not sure how. I often daydream about going back in time with my current college knowlege, so that teenage-me could focus on having fun. Maybe part of me still thinks if I'd been even smarter, I'd be more valued, but I know that isn't accurate. People being cruel is outside of my control.
When I try to engage my inner teen in the same way I do with my inner child however, it just kind of falls flat. Inner child, who I'll be calling Jessie for convenience sake, is enthusiastic about playing again, about getting to stretch her legs. My inner teen doesn't want any of that, no video games, no magazines. I want to give her comfort, but I don't know how...
Any advice/ideas?