Begin by finding a comfortable position.
Allow your body to settle.
You might like to close your eyes.
And take a slow,
Gentle breath in.
And exhale completely.
Again,
Breathing in… and breathing out.
There is nowhere you need to go right now.
Nothing you need to solve for these next few moments you are simply creating a little space to listen to yourself.
To a part of you that has always been with you.
For a very long time.
Your younger self.
Bring your awareness to your body Feel the surface beneath you.
Supporting your weight.
Notice your breath moving and as you breathe.
Imagine that with every exhale.
You can soften a little more deeply.
Into the earth beneath you.
And now imagine that you are standing at the entrance to a woodland.
It is peaceful here.
You feel safe enough to explore.
Take a moment to notice your surroundings.
The trees blowing gently in the wind.
The earth beneath your feet.
The air all around you the sounds in the distance Somewhere within this woodland there is a place waiting for you.
A place where you can meet a younger version of yourself.
You don't need to know how old they are.
You don't need to decide who they will be Simply allow yourself to walk.
And trust whatever begins to emerge.
Perhaps you notice a palm.
Follow it gently.
There is no need to hurry.
And as you will.
You may begin to sense that you are getting closer.
Eventually you arrive at a clearing.
And there somewhere within this space.
Is your younger self.
Take your time.
You might see them clearly,
Perhaps you only glimpse them perhaps you sense their presence or perhaps nothing comes at all.
Whatever happens is perfectly okay you are not trying to make anything happen simply notice.
And when you are ready.
Look at this younger version of you.
Notice their face.
Their clothes.
Their posture.
The way they are sitting or standing notice the expression in their eyes before you move any closer.
Just let them know that you are here.
You might say silently,
I came to see you.
I haven't forgotten you I am here to listen.
And then wait.
You don't need to speak for them.
You don't need to tell them what they should feel Just listen.
You might ask,
What do you want me to know?
And then become very still Listen.
Perhaps they have words for you Perhaps they show you something.
Perhaps you feel something in your body Perhaps an old memory comes forward.
Or perhaps they simply look at you.
Whatever comes Let it come.
And now ask,
What did you need back then that you didn't receive?
Give them time Maybe they needed someone to believe in them Maybe they needed protection.
Maybe they needed affection.
Maybe they needed permission to be themselves.
Maybe they needed to know that their feelings mattered.
Maybe they simply needed someone to sit beside them.
Listen.
And then ask,
Is there anything you wish you could have said?
Let them speak.
You don't need to correct them.
You don't need to explain anything.
You don't need to defend the adults who are around them.
This moment is simply about listening.
If sadness comes,
Let it be there.
If anger comes,
Let it be there if nothing comes that's okay too there is no right emotional response now when you are ready Imagine moving a little closer perhaps you sit beside your younger self You don't have to touch them,
Simply let them know I believe you.
Your feelings make sense.
You deserved to be heard.
And perhaps most importantly,
You didn't have to carry everything on your own take a breath and allow those words to settle.
Now ask your younger self.
What do you need from me now?
Listen.
Perhaps they want a hug.
Perhaps they want to play Perhaps they want to leave this place.
Perhaps they want you to simply stay.
Whatever they ask for,
Listen without judgment.
And if it feels right,
Imagine offering them what they need.
You might reach out your hand.
You might embrace them you might sit quietly beside them.
Or simply promise that you will remember them you can say you don't have to earn my love you don't have to be perfect You are worthy of love simply because you are you.
Allow yourself to breathe.
And now imagine that a gentle warmth begins to surround both of you it doesn't need to be bright it doesn't need to be dramatic Simply a quiet feeling of warmth and safety.
The earth beneath you.
The trees around you the ground supporting you.
And perhaps you notice that your younger self is beginning to relax.
Maybe they smile Maybe they came closer Maybe they simply know that they have been heard.
You might tell them i'm going to keep growing and I want you to come with me There is still room for you in my life.
You don't have to stay trapped in the past and if they are ready.
Take your younger self by the hand.
Imagine walking together through the woodland.
You are not leaving them behind.
You are bringing them home.
As you walk,
Imagine that the path slowly brings you back towards the place where you began.
And notice that you are no longer walking alone.
Your younger self is with you.
When you reach the edge of the woodland,
Pause.
Look back one last time.
And thank this younger part of yourself for trusting you enough to meet.
You can tell them i will listen for you I will make space for you.
And whenever you need me,
You can find me here.
Now allow the image of the woodland to gently fade.
Bring your awareness back to your physical body.
Feel the ground beneath you.
Feel your hands,
Your feet.
Your breath Take a slow breath in and slowly breathe out Notice what is here now.
You don't need to analyze the experience You don't need to understand everything that came through.
Something may have shifted quietly beneath the surface And that is enough.
Place one hand over your heart.
And if it feels comfortable,
Place the other somewhere on your body where you feel supported.
Take one more slow breath.
And gently say to yourself.
I am here.
I hear you.
I am listening.
And when you are ready,
Begin to gently move your fingers and toes.
Perhaps roll your shoulders.
And slowly bring yourself back into the room.
Taking with you whatever you need from this journey.
And leaving anything else here.
When you're ready.
Open your eyes.
And take a moment to simply be.
You came back for yourself.
