Your younger self couldn’t understand that Daddy and Mommy we’re young parents and still trying to figure out who they were themselves.
Your younger self couldn’t understand that Mommy and Daddy’s arguing wasn’t about you.
Your younger self couldn’t understand that Daddy and Mommy’s lack of attention/affection or love was more a reflection of their OWN childhood experiences than you.
When you’re a kid, you don’t have the mental capacity to figure out WHY your parents (caregivers) are behaving the way they are. So you take everything personal.
That time you didn’t get tucked into bed, just so happened to be the same night you got a C on your test, so you decide that meant love was conditional.
Unless you got great grades all the time, your parents attention and love would be taken away.
It sounds crazy to think about with your adult brain but STOP for a moment and think about you at 7 or 8 years old.
You didn’t know anything.
All your brain knew was the hugs stopped coming and it coincided with the C you got on your test. So it connected the two experiences and made it a core belief for you.
You began to move through life thinking you have to work hard to receive love and attention and that’s the furthest thing from the truth.
You just being here on EARTH means that you are worthy. Lovable. Enough. Deserving. And everything else!
Despite what you endured as a child, nothing can change that truth.
And I totally sympathize with the younger you who didn’t get love and affection but I want you to know it’s not too late to shower her with love.
Curl up on your sofa, watch your favorite movie from childhood (Mine is Cinderella with Whitney Houston) or read your favorite book. Draw a picture of one of your happy childhood memories.
Whatever you have to do to connect with your inner child and then stop for a moment, close your eyes and remind them how much you love them.
Hold yourself.
Give yourself the hug you wanted your parents to give you when you thought the boogie man was hiding in your closet.
The younger you is waiting for YOU to nourish her.
Do it.
Do it now.
And if you need support. Shoot me a message. I’m here to help.