How Long Does It Take to Heal Your Inner Child? Understanding the Journey

What Does "Healing Your Inner Child" Really Mean?

You’ve probably heard the term "healing your inner child" tossed around in self-help books or conversations. But what does it really mean? Essentially, healing your inner child refers to addressing and mending the emotional wounds you might have carried with you since childhood. These could be caused by neglect, trauma, or unmet emotional needs. It’s about reconnecting with the vulnerable, younger version of yourself to nurture and care for it in a way that perhaps you didn't get back then.

I remember the first time I heard someone mention this idea. Honestly, I wasn’t sure whether it was just another buzzword or if it had real significance. But, as I looked deeper into it and started doing the work myself, I realized how much my own unresolved childhood experiences were still influencing my behavior and emotions today. Trust me, the journey isn’t linear, and it's definitely not easy, but it’s incredibly rewarding.

How Long Does It Take to Heal the Inner Child?

Healing is Not a Set Timeline

Here’s the thing: there’s no "one size fits all" answer to this question. Healing your inner child isn’t like recovering from a physical injury where you can measure progress in days or weeks. It’s an emotional and psychological process, and the timeline varies widely from person to person. Some might take a few months, while for others, it could take years. And that’s okay.

A friend of mine, Sarah, recently shared her experience with me. She said that at first, she thought that once she started confronting her past, the pain would be over quickly. But after months of deep reflection, she came to understand that healing takes time, and that’s perfectly normal. It’s about recognizing that the inner child work is ongoing.

Factors That Affect the Healing Process

There are several factors that influence how long it might take for you to heal your inner child:

1. The Severity of Past Wounds: If you’ve experienced significant trauma or emotional neglect, the process could take longer. That’s a tough truth, but it’s important to acknowledge.

2. Your Current Mental Health: If you're already dealing with anxiety, depression, or other emotional struggles, healing might take more time. It’s not just about healing the child within, but also dealing with your present-day emotions.

3. Your Willingness to Face the Pain: You can’t skip past the hard parts. Sometimes, the more you avoid confronting painful memories or emotions, the longer it can take to heal.

But don’t get discouraged! The longer journey doesn’t mean you’re not making progress. It just means you’re doing deeper, more meaningful work.

Signs You’re Making Progress in Healing

Feeling More in Tune with Yourself

As you begin to heal your inner child, you'll notice subtle (or not so subtle) changes. One of the biggest signs is feeling more connected to yourself. You might find that you’re less reactive to things that used to trigger you, or you’re learning to set healthier boundaries. This was definitely the case for me. At first, I didn’t even realize how much I was carrying from childhood until I started to feel lighter and more in control of my emotional responses.

Emotional Release and Growth

Another indication of progress is that you might feel more emotionally expressive, without the shame or fear you once had. You could cry more freely, laugh more often, or feel less blocked when it comes to expressing love or sadness. Trust me, it can be so liberating. It might feel messy at times, but it’s part of the process of integrating your past with your present self.

Building Healthier Relationships

As you heal, your relationships often start to improve as well. You may find yourself in more supportive friendships, or feeling less triggered by situations that used to cause tension. That’s because healing your inner child often includes learning to love and care for yourself, which naturally extends to how you interact with others. It’s a bit like you’ve been giving yourself the care and attention you always needed but didn’t get.

Why Healing the Inner Child is a Lifelong Journey

It’s a Process, Not a Destination

Now, I’m not going to lie to you and say that once you heal your inner child, everything is fixed forever. It’s more of a process than a clear-cut destination. You’ll probably find that old patterns resurface from time to time, especially in moments of stress or when you’re triggered by something from your past. That’s okay—it doesn’t mean you haven’t made progress.

Actually, I recently had a conversation with my therapist where I confessed to her that I thought I should be “done” with healing my inner child by now. She laughed a little and gently reminded me that healing isn’t linear, and that sometimes the deepest layers take years to peel back. And she was right.

Embracing the Healing Process

Healing your inner child is about learning to love and care for that vulnerable version of you, over and over again. Sometimes, you’ll need to revisit old wounds or do extra work in certain areas of your life. But each step forward is worth it. And hey, some days might feel like you’re stuck, but remember that healing isn’t a race. It's okay to take your time.

Conclusion: Be Patient, and Trust the Process

So, how long does it take to heal your inner child? Honestly, it depends. It’s a journey that requires patience, understanding, and compassion for yourself. It could take months, it could take years—but every step you take brings you closer to a more whole, authentic self. And at the end of the day, that’s what makes the healing process so worthwhile.

Be kind to yourself. Trust the process. And most importantly, don’t forget to celebrate your progress—no matter how small it seems. The road to healing is long, but it’s one you don’t have to walk alone.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.