Gisela Lowenstein | Trusted Advisor

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Inner Child

My childhood was marked by the disconnection from my father's family as a consequence of his leaving the family business when I was 6-years old.  Those who I thought loved and cared for me disappeared from one day to the next. No discussion. No explanation.

I wondered, and I worried …… silently. For the next ten years, my grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins disappeared from my life. The truth was silenced. The silence created so much insecurity during my childhood.

10 years later, the family “reconnected.” When we did get together, there was a strange appearance of normal. No one talked openly about what had happened or made any effort to find a resolution to conflicts. The disconnect was extraordinary.

My deep inner work allowed me, as an adult, to understand which are those tools that will support leaders flourish across generations … despite those unique challenges.

This process required me to make peace with my past. 

Making peace with my past allowed me to create a very different life and live under a very different synergy. My internal narrative created such a difference in my life.

Many times, we do not realize that we have our  “little me,” who was not successful in the past, coming back to our present, reminding us we cannot do it, and we fight against ourselves.   

When I could see that in certain moments, my little self was telling me I could not do certain things, I started silencing her by replacing her voice with empowering messages. 

Here are a few important points to consider when making peace with your inner child and, therefore, navigating life's challenges with greater ease and authenticity:

  • Hold space for awareness and reflection. Take a moment to reflect on your childhood experiences and emotions. Acknowledge any pain, trauma, or unmet needs that your inner child may still carry within. Recognizing and validating these feelings is the first step toward healing.

  • Expand your capacity level to handle challenging situations. Allow yourself to be vulnerable and open to exploring deeper layers of your emotions and memories. Be willing to be exposed to difficult or painful experiences with courage and compassion and learn from those situations.

  • Make peace with your inner child. Tap into your inner child's playfully. Talk with your inner child and give your inner child a name. Sometimes, you might encounter two archetypes of your inner child. One is the good one that empowers you, and the other is the one that brings you down.

  • Take time for yourself: Give yourself time to engage in activities that bring you joy and spark your creativity. Whether painting, dancing, singing, or playing, reconnecting with your inner child can help you rediscover a sense of wonder and spontaneity in life.

Allocate time for introspection and processing: Take time to nurture and comfort your inner child through self-care practices that nourish your mind, body, and soul. Create a safe and nurturing space within yourself where your inner child feels loved, accepted, and supported.

Making peace with your inner child will positively impact your personal and professional life. It is not only about working with your past inner child's negative memories but also remembering those moments, either as a child or as an adult, when you felt like a superhero.  These two contradictory memories will allow you to create a balance. One empowers the other. In other words, working on what puts you down and simultaneously reminds you of your superhero memory is essential. By doing this, you will be tuning into your confidence, gaining clarity, and developing a higher standard of leadership.

Embracing personal development and addressing vulnerabilities from a young age has been a cornerstone of my journey. I've learned that making peace with my inner child isn't just about confronting past traumas; it's also about rediscovering moments of empowerment. By reconciling these contradictory memories, I've found a balance that fuels my confidence and clarity. This process has not only transformed me as an individual but has also elevated my leadership standards, allowing me to tune into my inner strength and lead with authenticity.

One of the most significant growth experiences for me as an individual and as a leader was when I was confronted with the realization that my inner child was not providing the empowerment I needed, it was suppressing my best self. This realization marked the beginning of a challenging journey. It demanded introspection, intention, and action. I had to grapple with mistakes, frustrations, inner conflicts, and a myriad of other emotions. Throughout this process, I discovered that while I excelled in understanding and analyzing, genuine change required decisive action. Without action, insights, and awareness, I would always remain stagnant.

This journey proved to be one of the most profound transformational processes I've ever undergone. Navigating through it demanded tolerance, vision, compassion, and a growth mindset. I encountered numerous trial-and-error situations, each serving as a valuable lesson and contributing to my higher self. Ultimately, this journey has enabled me to reclaim my power and evolve into a defined, better version of myself.

​​This is why I decided to write this blog. To inspire you to work on yourself, on your leadership, and to observe the impact your inner child has in your overall life.

For high-level executives, addressing your inner child is crucial. It can profoundly impact your personal and professional lives. Understanding yourself better helps you lead authentically and navigate challenges with emotional intelligence. By healing past wounds, you can stop repeating harmful patterns and improve your overall well-being.

Are you ready to make a meaningful impact in your personal and professional life?

Let's talk.