Tip#1083: Connecting with Your Inner Child, Part 6 – I, Tonya

I recently had a profound, re-vitalizing meeting with an old high school friend that rattled my cage, but in a good way! We talked about healing a wounded inner child in order to move forward in life if we felt stuck like in a Groundhog Day loop. She referred to “reparenting” as the key to breaking free. Reparenting is a form of psychotherapy in which the therapist actively assumes the role of a new or surrogate parental figure for the client. This is to treat psychological disturbances caused by defective or abusive parenting.

What resonated deeply from our conversation was the following:

Anxiety = inner child
Depression = inner child
Subconscious blocks = inner child
Fears = inner child
Ego = inner child

Something deep inside me clicked with these revelations. And perhaps this was also my inner child signaling that I’ve been on the right track for weeks now (see tip#1082). I felt re-energized, focused and excited to now make it a priority to rescue my wounded inner child. My friend suggested many starting points, one of which included reviewing photos of myself as a child around age 6 and 7. This is highly synchronistic because I already spent weeks doing this while re-organizing my dad’s vast photo archives during the Christmas holidays (see tip#1075).

The photo idea is also mentioned in this fantastic article I found online by Psychotherapist and Author Maxine Harley. I highly recommend you check out this straightforward overview on reparenting if you resonate with this as a solution for yourself. Read: How To Heal And Re-parent Your Inner Child

On this current self-discovery journey I am reminded that movies have already been teaching me the consequences of a wounded child sabotaging one’s adult life. The classic film Citizen Kane is a brilliant cinematic example which I highly recommend you see (see tip#906). And I recently discovered a new film that reinforces these consequences like a sledgehammer!

I, Tonya (2017)

The biographical, dark comedy, mockumentary-style drama film, I, Tonya, follows the life of figure skater Tonya Harding (Margot Robbie) and her connection to the 1994 attack on her rival Nancy Kerrigan. This movie is filled with intense performances, hilarious moments and many stunning ice-skating re-creations. See: movie trailer 

This film reveals the physical, mental and emotional abuse that Harding endured growing up as a child at the hands of her mother LaVona (Allison Janney). You then see how this pattern of abuse repeats with her abusive husband Jeff Gillooly (Sebastian Stan) and then in her career. And inbetween you see her persevere and become the first American female figure skater to complete two triple axel jumps in competition.

Like the movie Citizen Kane, this film illustrates the tragic consequences of not acknowledging and healing a wounded inner child. This is why I highly recommend seeing these movies to inspire and motivate you to examine reparenting as a possible solution to freeing yourself from the chronic challenges that keep repeating in your life or career.

Movies can be a powerful and emotional mirror for the positives and negatives that have happened, are happening or could happen in your life. Let these cinematic role models, with both their flaws and talents, show you the way out of your darkness. Who knows, perhaps your inner child was the one that led you to see these movies in the first place!

Related Tips:
Tip#906: Connecting with Your Inner Child, Part 1 - Top 10 Movies 
Tip#909: Connecting with Your Inner Child, Part 2 - The Little Prince 
Tip#917: Connecting with Your Inner Child, Part 3 - Joy 
Tip#928: Connecting with Your Inner Child, Part 4 - Hector and the Search for Happiness
Tip#1082: Connecting with Your Inner Child, Part 5 - The Florida Project
Tip#1083: Connecting with Your Inner Child, Part 6 – I, Tonya 
Tip#1084: Connecting with Your Inner Child, Part 7 - Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle 

Tip#494: Keep Childlike Wonder Alive - Steve Jobs – Real Steel
Tip#422: Keep Your Playful Imagination Alive – Imagine That



DO YOU KNOW SOMEONE DEALING WITH
DEPRESSION, S.A.D. OR WINTER BLUES?
• READ: Top 10 Inspiring Movies for Managing Depression
• READ: Emmanuel & Depression featured in The Toronto Star
• LISTEN: Emmanuel's CBC Radio Interview on Movie Messages of Hope: The Fresh Air Show
• WATCH: Uplifting Movie Montage produced by Emmanuel Lopez!
• DISCOVER: 8 Creative Tools for Motivation & Depression

Remember How Movies Can Help You:
A) Entertain & Escape
B) Re-energize & Release
C) Inspiration & Motivation

 

Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
Motivational Speaker
Discover How Movies Inspire, Motivate & Empower You!
See website: www.motivatorman.com
 
© Emmanuel Lopez 2018