Healing My Inner Child Through Self Love

By, Fiona M.

As I have come into Steps 10 and 11, with a solid daily meditation practice and my Step 3 prayer, and my Step 5 and 7 prayer (which changes every day), I think that I have found the root of my problem.

The thing which I suffered from the most in active addiction, which stole my life-force, was my obsession. 

Marijuana was always on my mind. The most important thing in my life.

Without it, I find my mind replacing it, with other obsessive objects. Something that I can think of, which my mind wishes to spin a fantasy of pleasure upon, that lifts me momentarily out of my daily life and out of a place of mindfulness, and presence. 

If I substitute this thought, this desired object, with an image of a fantastical world —I tried a fluffy pink marshmallow world 🙂 — from below up pops my inner child, needing love and care and attention.

I realise that in my obsessive thoughts, I am looking for something outside of myself which I can only find within.

As an adult, only I can give my inner child– the wounded/neglected feeling part of myself which was shut away in childhood—  the self protection, the love, and the care that they need.

On this day I give myself the love that only I can give.

Published in A New Leaf – February 2025

More Articles

  • Break Up Letter

    Written By, Stefania M. Dear Mary Jane, I was thinking about you today, I haven’t smoked you in a while, Your smell lingers in my mind. I wondered if you’ve thought of me during this time away….but in reality you’ve been playing around with others. I’m not the only one you took down. Rumour has…

    Break Up Letter
  • Can I truly live a life without marijuana?

    Written By, Kat L. At almost 11 months clean and sober, it is hard to imagine a life completely without marijuana. I smoked pot for over 30 years and tried to quit many, many times to no avail. I lived and breathed marijuana. It was what I lived for on a daily basis. I planned…

    Can I truly live a life without marijuana?
  • Coming Out of Fog

    Written by, JoyceAnne I didn’t arrive here with a dramatic crash. No one dragged me into a meeting. No one waved empty a pipe in my face. No one ever said, “You ruined my life with your using.” I just used enough to muffle the edges. Enough to stuff things down. Enough to crawl into…

    Coming Out of Fog
  • Lost in The Clouds

    Written by, Fe J Did they just say my name? My head hurts. My brain is foggy, hazy, still filled with smoke. “Fe, would you like to introduce yourself?” Oh, God. That’s my name. Suddenly it feels like the AC isn’t working. I straighten my posture sitting on my bed, hot and uncomfortable. Can I…

    Lost in The Clouds
  • Faith Can Be Slippery

    Written by, Susan C. I didn’t know what trust was when I got into recovery. I had no faith. Pot had been my higher power for more than 15 years. When people said their higher power was keeping them clean and sober, I was confused. How come I used so much longer than I wanted…

    Faith Can Be Slippery
  • Buh-Bye, MJ

    Written by, Jen B. Dear MJ, Goodbye. I have decided that I am better off without you. Kicking you off my porch and out of my car felt freeing today. I don’t need you to enjoy my walk — it’s more peaceful without you. I don’t want you clouding my judgment ever again. You are…

    Buh-Bye, MJ