Why am I researching what I am researching – what is the purpose.

 

Inner Child

 

Although it may be obvious to others, I learned in the last year that your childhood impacts how you are, how you think and how you grow as a person. It’s self-explanatory however I didn’t realise how significant it really was. You only have one childhood and although as an adult you can think rationally about what it is that you “need” to do and think with logic rather than emotions, it still bothers me that I can’t change what I or others have experienced within our childhood – we only get one and I’ve learned that I need to come to terms with that and heal within myself.

 

I think the idea of collectibles somehow ties into this “inner child” concept. As someone who collects figurines, the main reason why I collect them is because of their aesthetics, I like cute things, I like the way it looks like as a set – and because I like characters in general. It could just be down to personal taste however I think a huge part of it also is because now as an adult, I can afford to buy these things that I like – things that I couldn’t have as a child. Me being able to buy these now is healing my inner child in a way. This is why I decided to make some sort of collectibles for my FMP 2 brief. 

 

For my FMP 3, I will be making a short animation, using the characters that I produced in the past – but improving them. When I wrote the brief backstory of my animated world, I decided to make it so all the characters were teenagers or children – there’s no mention of parents or adult figures. I think I will continue with this idea. I’m not sure what kind of storyline I want for my animation yet but it will be around the concept of “inner child”.

 

“It is important that we stay connected with this sensitive part of ourselves. When we are connected to our inner child, we feel excited, invigorated, and inspired by life. When we are disconnected, we feel lethargic, bored, unhappy, and empty.”

 

As the protagonist of my animation is a teenager – 16-17? She has already developed past childhood. Therefore I will introduce a new character, a younger sibling, around 5-7 years old. Probably a younger brother as my protagonists already has two younger sisters – or I might make one of the younger sisters into a child (I think 5 siblings in total would be a bit too much).

 

Ways that we may have felt “unsafe” as children:

 

-        Being taught that it’s not ok to have your opinions

-        Being punished for speaking up or acting differently

-        Being discouraged from playing or having fun

-        No spontaneity

-        Not allowed to show strong emotions such as anger or joy

-        Being shamed by parents

-        Being verbally abused on a regular basis

-        Being made to feel responsible for your parents and their level of happiness

-        Were not given any physical affections

source: https://lonerwolf.com/feeling-safe-inner-child/

 

1.     Emotional

Your parents/guardians didn’t show interest in your emotional needs for love, support, protection and/or guidance. They either didn’t pay attention to you or condemned emotional expressions of need from you. The likely outcome of this was that: You developed low self-worth and esteem for yourself, began ignoring your emotional needs. You learned to hide from, avoid or repress your emotions as they were associated with feelings of neglect from your childhood. You developed psychological or physical sicknesses connected to your inability to listen to, accept and deal with your emotions in healthy ways.

 

2.     Psychologicial

This type of neglect was manifested in childhood by your parents/guardians who failed to listen to, embrace and nurture the person you were. As you grew older, you likely developed any variety of these symptoms: low self-esteem issues due to forms of abuse such as ridicule, overly high expectations, being ignored, rejected, or constantly punished. Development of anger issues from unresolved childhood trauma, and an inability to love oneself. You developed additions and neurosis to create a misguided sense of comfort and safety within your life. You developed psychological and/or physical illnesses. You have problems sustaining healthy and respectful relationships.

3.     Physical 

At a basis and fundamental level, physical safety and nourishment are some of the most intrinsic elements of a loving relationship. We can see this in nature, with mothers and fathers nourishing their chicks, pups, and cubs with food, shelter, and protection. When this is lacking, however, the following issues can develop: Low self-worth resulting in physical neglect/abuse of oneself, eating disorders, maintaining an unhealthy diet, self-harm. Intense safety-seeking behaviours (psychological complexes such as OCD) or extreme risk-taking behaviours. Addictions to drugs, alcohol, violence, food, etc. Sexual dysfunction or promiscuity.