A Personal Moment
Last week, I shared something personal in my stories. I believe we can best inspire through sharing our journeys…both the highs and the lows. So, I wanted to take you along with me on this adventure that I’m walking out, because sometimes the best way to encourage and empower is to open up about the challenges we face. And that’s exactly what I did when I revealed that I had recently started trauma therapy.
No Choice But To Move Forward
The decision to seek therapy came after years of internal struggles, from the scars left by childhood events to the wounds of the past decade that seemed to have piled up. As the clock struck midnight on New Year’s Eve and 2023 began, those who follow me know the battles I faced at the start of the year – from the heartbreaking & tragic sudden loss of my sweet Poppy (my 9 year old Mal-Shi) to a series of medical emergencies that left me physically and emotionally strained for months. It was as if life had decided to unleash its storms all at once.
For years, I had been pushing emotions under the rug, favoring my natural joyful bent over confronting the painful memories and experiences. As an Enneagram 7 (a personality type) I’m the kind of person who seeks out what can be learned from experiences, who finds solace in positivity and prefers to focus on the good rather than dwell on the sad. But as things progressed & compounded, (this year was the proverbial “straw”), I began to realize that there were deeper issues I needed to confront, emotions that I had suppressed. It was time to face it all.
A Call to Healing
When I shared that I had begun trauma therapy, the response was overwhelming. Many DMs, filled with support, curiosity, and contemplation, came through on both Facebook & Instagram. It became clear that this topic resonated with many of you, sparking conversations about the importance of facing our past and seeking healing. That’s why I’ve decided to delve. I’m going here today….to make sure that if any of this resonates with you, that you know you’re not alone.
For the past 4 months, God has had me in a “quiet place” (I know no other way to describe it), which had me shelve many of my responsibilities in order to face my baggage head on. It’s given me space to breathe, to think, to feel. By the way, my word for the year was “breathe.” He knew well enough all I’d be called to. So here I am…in my year of surrender and breathing.
Let me say, that the Joy of the Lord truly is my strength. Without Him, you wouldn’t see the woman who shows up walking in joy and having fun in her 50th year of life. Honestly, without Him, I’m not even sure I’d ever leave my house. I owe my very survival to Him. I owe it ALL to Him.
Breaking the Silence on Trauma
Trauma is a word that carries weight – an emotional response to distressing events that can have a lasting impact. The American Psychological Association defines trauma as “the emotional aftermath of events such as accidents, assaults, or natural disasters. Short-term reactions include shock and denial, while long-term effects may manifest as unpredictable emotions, flashbacks, strained relationships, and even physical symptoms like headaches or nausea. These are the normal responses to abnormal experiences.”
The Path to Healing
Whether we’re naturally inclined to avoid sadness or confrontational situations, dealing with trauma is something most of us have, or will eventually, face in our lifetime. I want to make sure you never feel alone in this. If you’ve lived on this earth for any amount of time, you’ve likely dealt with some form of it. Because God has been slowly building something amazing I’ll be able to share with my next wave of clients, I knew that to bring the best version of myself, I had to shed the albatross around my neck. Healing requires a proactive approach. And so, this year, I made the conscious decision to step back from my usual routines and seek the help I needed to heal.
Taking a Step Towards Therapy
Therapy isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution, and I’m not here to advocate for a specific approach. However, I can attest to the fact that therapy, in whatever form it takes, has already made a difference in my journey. I’ve come to understand that healing doesn’t mean erasing scars or pain completely; rather, it’s about acknowledging and working through them. Therapy is just one avenue, but its role in my healing journey is proving to be wonderful.
Embracing The Suck
Embracing therapy has opened my eyes to the power of “the suck”…the very place we avoid because we fear the monster that waits just on the other side. It’s uncomfortable, but the alternative is staying stuck. And that just couldn’t continue. Avoiding emotions only perpetuates pain. To truly heal, we must be willing to lean into discomfort and process our experiences.
The Path Ahead
Healing isn’t a linear journey with a clear destination. It’s a winding path that requires patience, self-compassion, and the courage to face our shadows. My faith is my anchor throughout this process, and I believe that seeking healing is an act of self-love and self-care. We deserve to step into our next phases of life unburdened by the weight of the past.
A Journey Worth Taking
As I continue with my, now weekly, trauma therapy, I encourage you to consider your own healing journey. Whether through therapy, counseling, or another form of self-care, the pursuit of healing is an act of courage and self-love. Our past doesn’t define us, but how we confront it shapes our future. By sharing my story, I hope to inspire you to take those necessary steps toward healing, one courageous step at a time. We’re all fractured, but that doesn’t mean we have to be broken. You deserve this gift to yourself.
