The Parts of You That Got Tucked Away
It’s a strange concept, giving the parts of yourself a chance to speak after so long of being silenced. Trauma, fear, or just habit teaches you to tuck pieces of yourself away: the scared kid, the angry teen, and the goofy, messy adult. “Stay quiet,” they’re told, “so you can survive… or fit in.” And for years, that’s exactly what I did. I performed, I people-pleased, and I shape-shifted like a nervous chameleon, all in the name of being accepted.
Hosting a Reunion With Yourself
At first, letting those silenced pieces speak is… kind of like hosting a reunion with yourself. Awkward. Chaotic. Some parts complain, some cry, and some demand a snack. And honestly, some of them just stare at you like, “Really? You’re letting me out now?” But when you actually listen, like, really listen, those parts start to feel seen, validated, and even loved. And when that happens, they don’t need to shout anymore; they just settle in. And little by little, you start to feel more whole.
If you’re curious about tools that helped me give my inner voices space and truly heal, I wrote more about how IFS therapy helped me heal from CPTSD. It’s where I really started to understand that all these silenced parts weren’t the problem, they were waiting for a chance to be heard.
The Hilarious, Tender Magic of Being Seen
It’s a tender, hilarious, and slightly bizarre process. “Oh right, that part of me has opinions on EVERYTHING.” But here’s the magic: letting them speak is what finally allows you to accept yourself without performing, hiding, or constantly fishing for external approval. It’s like learning that you don’t have to be a perfect guest at your own life party; you can just show up and be yourself, snacks or not.
Self-Acceptance Is a Thousand Tiny Choices
Self-acceptance doesn’t hit like a dramatic “Eureka!” moment. It’s a thousand tiny choices to stay, to soften, to let yourself feel. To let yourself be weird. To fail. And to let yourself exist without apology. And each small choice counts. They pile up. Slowly, they start to outweigh the years of hiding.
Sometimes it’s as small as letting the goofy adult make terrible dad jokes at the dinner table or letting the anxious part take a five-minute panic dance break in the living room. Tiny. Ridiculous. Healing.
Being Myself Isn’t Something I Have to Earn
I still have moments when the old instincts flare up, when I feel like shrinking back into someone safer, quieter, and less noticeable. But now, I can notice it, breathe through it, and return to the parts of myself I’ve been giving voice to. It’s a practice, a messy, imperfect, sometimes hilarious practice.
And here’s the thing I’ve learned: being myself isn’t something I have to earn. It’s something I get to be. And honestly, that might just be the biggest gift I’ve ever given myself. The weird, messy, stubborn, endlessly talking gift of me.
Your Turn
If this resonates with you, try giving one part of yourself a little voice today, even if it’s just asking the scared kid what they want for breakfast or letting your goofy side tell a terrible joke. Share your experience in the comments or hit me up on social media; I’d love to hear how your inner reunion goes.
Photo by A n v e s h on Unsplash