From Darkness to Light: Uncovering the Traumas that hold us back!
Our past experiences can cast a long shadow on our present, affecting our relationships and overall well being. Join me on the journey of self discovery as we explore the transformative power of digging out our traumas and finding the light that leads to healing.
IT STARTS WITH US GUYS! As hard as that can be to admit. Building/Bridging a relationship with other people is basically nonexistent if we do not have two steady feet to stand on, Right? We need to nourish OURSELVES and put ourselves first for a change. It is impossible to be broken inside with stored trauma and expect an abundant, flourishing, and longterm relationship. Whether you know you have trauma or not, nothing a little dig won’t hurt. We all have that little subconscious that drives our daily lives without us even realizing it. Who knows what has been stored in there for years or even from childhood that unconsciously affects our decisions or how we act/react. So Buckle up buttercup and grab a pen. Lets get to it.
My greatest asset on my Healing Journey has always been a pen and paper. Yes it was part of my childhood trauma however I have now turned that into a strength. I can organize my thoughts, I can get creative, I can get personal because my pen and paper is for my eyes only. I can ask myself those really hard questions and not just think about it and then forget 5 minutes later when the laundry machine starts beeping. I can self reflect. Some of the greatest personal development teachers have written the most impressive books straight from their journals that they have kept for 20 years. Pen and paper is where I got to truly got to know myself. During my own personal exploration of self I discovered that I absolutely SUCKED at communication. I shut down, I expected people to read my mind, I didn’t know how to communicate effectively what so ever, and every single relationship I had in my life was suffering because of it. Now it may not have been completely my fault I ended up like this but it is 1000% my responsibility to own it and fix it. I read, I listened to audiobooks, I took courses, I journaled. I was picking up anything and everything that I thought could be in of assistance to me. I still have plenty of times where I have a hard time communicating or I just don’t want to and THAT IS OKAY. The main take away is that it doesn’t control my life anymore. You are in control of your own destiny, take the reins back from what doesn’t serve you any longer.
Now you’re probably thinking, okay Kayla but how can IIIIIIII uncover my OWN traumas??……. Ill tell you it is not an overnight discovery. You have to be committed to self discovery, committed to education, and most importantly committed to self love. Here is where to begin.
Trauma has a way of burying itself deep within us, shaping our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Uncovering and healing from trauma is a courageous and transformative journey. Here we will explore effective strategies to help you navigate the process of uncovering trauma, understand its impact, and embark on a path of healing and growth.
Recognizing the Signs:
There are some common signs and symptoms of trauma that stick out more than most; such as anxiety, flashbacks, avoidance, or emotional numbness.
Here is where you have to do the work and reflect on your own personal experiences and see if you can identify any patterns or recurring events that may indicate a bit of trauma. After you have identified some things you think you may want to dig further into, you find an outlet.
Creating a Safe Space:
Trauma is kind of a general term that has come to encompass all of our negative past experiences, please do not forget there are different levels of trauma, some of which needs more than what I can give. It is so important to find a safe space, whatever that means for you. A safe space and supportive environment where you can thrive and be yourself no matter what. A space for you to unpack, and unscramble that brain of yours.
My safe space is a journal. Some people use art or music, and lets not forget therapists. During your excavation if you happen to find an overwhelming amount of trauma do not hesitate to go to a therapist or counselor. There is always tremendous value in that.
Engaging in Self-Reflection:
Then reflect into your past experiences and sit with them. Write down what you learned or what you would do differently if faced with the same thing with the healed version of yourself.
Journal guys, it is the single most helpful tip if this whole blog post. maybe add in some meditation to practice having more love in your life. Maybe do a mindful practice daily. Instead of rushing through daily life one task to another. Take your time, pause, think about what you are doing. Think about how sweet, tangy, and delicious that orange is that you are eating. Think about your breath as it fills your lungs and how beautiful it is how well your body functions on autopilot. Think about who you want to be as the best version of yourself and write it down. Everyday write it down. All of these will put you well on your way to uncovering buried memories and emotions.
Exploring Trauma Triggers:
Next, through all of this self discovery work you may end up finding some triggers that are specific to you. It is important to identify those and become aware to slowly create an alternate response to them.
(Triggers are powerful reminders of past traumatic experiences and can evoke intense emotional or physical reactions. They are what activates our body's stress response system, often without conscious control. Triggers can be external, such as specific sounds, smells, or visual cues, or internal, such as thoughts, memories, or bodily sensations.
Triggers are closely connected to past traumas because they are associated with the original traumatic event. When we experience trauma, our brain and body create strong neural connections between the traumatic event and the associated sensory or emotional cues. These connections can be triggered by similar cues in the present, even if the current situation is not directly related to the original trauma.
The connection between triggers and past traumas is rooted in our brain's survival mechanism. Triggers serve as warning signals, alerting us to potential threats and activating our body's fight-or-flight response. While this response is adaptive in dangerous situations, it can become problematic when triggered in non-threatening situations, leading to distressing symptoms and interfering with daily functioning.
Triggers can manifest in various ways, including emotional reactions (such as fear, anger, or sadness), physical sensations (such as rapid heartbeat, sweating, or shortness of breath), or behavioral responses (such as avoidance or hypervigilance). They can be subtle and nuanced, making them challenging to identify and manage without self-awareness and support.
Understanding triggers is a crucial step in healing from trauma. By recognizing and exploring our triggers, we can gain insight into the underlying traumas and the ways they continue to impact our lives. It allows us to develop strategies for managing and reducing the intensity of our reactions, promoting a sense of safety and control.)
There was an analogy by Eckhart Tolle I like to use when I am having an overwhelming response to something. It goes along the line of: Pretend your thoughts are like clouds floating past in the sky, you see an emotion coming, you feel it and then it passes on by. You do not become the emotion or let it take you over. You are simply aware of it and let is pass on by.
Practicing Self-Care:
Self care is an important step. We’ve all heard the phrase, “it get worse before it gets better”. Well that is the case here as well. You are going to find some not so nice things to work through and it is very possible it will pull out your “pain body”. You might be angry, or easy annoyed, or sad. So here is where it is vital you take some self care days and do what makes you smile. Maybe you want to go do some kick boxing, or go have lunch with your BFF, or maybe just have a glass of wine and take a bath. Self care looks different to everyone. DO WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY! .
Embracing Healing Modalities:
There are also other things to help you release trauma from your body including therapy, yoga, nature walks, or even things like acupuncture can assist you on your journey.
Releasing these things can make you feel a whole hell of a lot lighter.
Uncovering trauma is a deeply personal and courageous journey. By recognizing the signs, creating a safe space, engaging in self-reflection, seeking professional support, exploring triggers, practicing self-care, and embracing healing modalities, you can begin to peel back the layers and embark on a path of healing and growth. Remember, healing takes time, patience, and self-compassion. You are not alone on this journey, and with support and dedication, you can uncover the trauma that has held you back and move towards a brighter, more empowered future.
Healing Trauma is a very individualized plan. It is going to look different for everyone, these were just a few things to get you started. Please do not hesitate to seek any professional help you may need.
Cheers to you, keep going, you are loved, you are supported here, and you are a thriving magical human being. Lets start acting like it. Open your mind to Peace, Love and Light.
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Love Y’all, Be good Humans!
Kayla