When our childhood needs aren’t met, the hurt doesn’t just disappear as we grow up. Instead, it festers and bleeds into our adult lives. Without us even realizing it, our inner child often takes the wheel—steering control of our actions, thoughts, and emotions. Not because we can’t but more likely because the unresolved childhood issues drive your behavior.

For example, we may cling to external validation, endlessly chasing approval, because, as a child, we never felt seen or acknowledged. Or we may be overcontrolling to compensate for a lack of structure in childhood. Or perhaps we reject any kind of authority, structure, or societal norms as a way to reclaim autonomy.

Unresolved issues have a way to make themselves known. And when no one takes responsibility for them, we end up with a world where every inner child, with all their unmet needs, is running the show. This is the world we live in today. A chaotic mess of unconscious behavior, driven by pain.

However, our inner child isn’t the enemy here. They are scared, hurt and trying to protect us the only way they know how. They just shouldn’t be in charge. They need us to be the one at the wheel, calm and steady, giving them the reassurance they crave.