Fuzzy,
My "inner child" starts with age 6 y.o. and sad to say it isn't/wasn't a very nice thing

I feel I believe I have let it go, but it comes back to haunt me often

Fortunately, it hasn't been about "me", just the environment I was forced to grow up in, and try to accept, but again it still finds time to haunt me. . .
Love,
"darkeyes"
In giving advice seek to help, not please your friend
SOLON