When Love Feels Hard to Receive


Hi Reader,

I want to talk about something tender today.

For many of us, love isn’t something we simply receive.
It’s something our body learned to measure, brace for, or quietly pull away from.

You might notice it when someone offers care and a part of you tightens.
When closeness feels sweet—but also uncomfortable.
When you want connection, yet something inside whispers, be careful.

If that’s you, I want you to know this first:
There is nothing wrong with you.

Those responses are often the language of your inner child—the part of you that learned, early on, how to stay safe when love felt inconsistent, overwhelming, or conditional.

This week, I shared a new blog post and guided meditation on my website:
Inner Child Healing: Letting Love In

It’s a therapy-informed, gentle practice designed to help you:
• Create safety in your body
• Meet your inner child with compassion
• Learn how to receive love without force
• Soften old protection patterns at your own pace

Not by “fixing” yourself.
But by offering presence to the parts of you that needed it most.

Before you even read or listen, I want to offer you something you can take with you right now.

🌿 Reflection & Journaling Prompts

You can sit with these slowly—there’s no rush.

  1. When someone offers me love or care, what does my body do first?
    (Tighten, pull away, soften, go numb, feel anxious?)
  2. What did my younger self need to do to stay safe around love?
    (Be quiet, be strong, be helpful, not need too much?)
  3. If my inner child could speak freely, what would they want me to know about love?
  4. What would “receiving love safely” look like for me right now—not someday, but today?

Even noticing these answers is part of healing. Awareness itself builds safety.

If you feel ready, you can read the full blog post and explore the meditation here:

And if this work resonates, I also created a free booklet called
Creating Safety for Insight—filled with grounding practices, reflections, and rituals to support this exact kind of inner work.
👉 download free booklet

Healing doesn’t happen by pushing yourself open.
It happens when the nervous system learns, slowly and gently, that love no longer requires armor.

I’m really honored to walk alongside you in this work.
Thank you for being here. Thank you for choosing softness.

Warmly,

P.S. If this email stirred something tender, be gentle with yourself today. Even reading these words is a sign that a part of you is ready to be met with love.

Intima

Hi, I’m Raquel Perez, a Licensed Professional Counselor based in Colorado. I’m passionate about creating safe spaces for insight and emotional connection, whether through one-on-one therapy or my online resources. My approach blends traditional therapeutic techniques with holistic practices to help individuals navigate challenges like depression, anxiety, relationship dynamics, and personal growth. In my work, I focus on the importance of safety for insight—creating an environment where clients feel seen, heard, and understood. I offer a variety of services, including Ketamine-Assisted Therapy, Couples/Relationship Therapy, Sex Therapy, and individual Counseling. My goal is always to help you feel empowered to face your struggles, reconnect with your inner wisdom, and take steps toward a life full of meaning and connection. In addition to therapy, I offer free resources like guided meditations and workshops, including my 7-day personal development workshop on overcoming the depression cycle. I also host live Q&A events in my private Facebook group, where we dive into mental health topics and strategies for self-discovery. I’m here to support you on your journey toward clarity, self-awareness, and growth.

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