Tag: Complex Trauma

  • 8 Ways Trauma Survivors Mastered the Art of Surviving the Unsurvivable

    8 Ways Trauma Survivors Mastered the Art of Surviving the Unsurvivable

    The question isn’t “What’s wrong with you?” The question is “How did you survive?” A Gentle Note Before You Begin This article explores the ways trauma can shape the mind, body, emotions, relationships, and nervous system. Along the way, it discusses experiences that many survivors may find familiar, including abuse, neglect, emotional invalidation, fear, grief,…

  • How Ordinary Moments Become Extraordinary Acts of Healing

    How Ordinary Moments Become Extraordinary Acts of Healing

    Casual Magic: Finding Beauty After Trauma Disclaimer The information contained in this article is intended for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional mental health care, medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. While the concepts discussed may support self-reflection and personal growth, they are not intended to replace therapy,…

  • Sometimes Trauma Healing Feels Like Falling Apart Again

    Sometimes Trauma Healing Feels Like Falling Apart Again

    Returning to old pain before you can heal it. A Gentle Note Before You Begin This article explores trauma recovery, emotional healing, nervous system regulation, grief, emotional numbness, dissociation, and the experience of feeling worse before feeling better. For some readers, these topics may stir tender emotions, memories, or bodily sensations. If that happens, please…

  • The Difference Between Surviving Trauma and Living Again

    The Difference Between Surviving Trauma and Living Again

    Trauma teaches you to survive storms. Healing teaches you the sky can change. A Gentle Note Before You Begin This reflection explores trauma, survival mode, nervous system healing, hypervigilance, and the often complicated journey from coping to truly living again. There are no graphic descriptions of trauma in this article, but some of the themes…

  • I’m Suspicious of Anyone Who Says Healing From Trauma Is “Simple”

    I’m Suspicious of Anyone Who Says Healing From Trauma Is “Simple”

    Why trauma recovery somehow involves both neuroscience and crying in pharmacy parking lots… Trigger Warning This article contains discussions of trauma, trauma recovery, emotional neglect, hypervigilance, dissociation, grief, anxiety, and nervous system dysregulation. Although the piece includes humour and hope, it may still feel emotionally intense at times. Please engage with care and seek support…

  • Healing From Trauma Asks for Participation, Not Perfection.

    Healing From Trauma Asks for Participation, Not Perfection.

    You don’t have to earn healing, but you do have to make an effort. Trigger Warning This article discusses trauma, PTSD, shame, emotional neglect, hypervigilance, dissociation, self-criticism, nervous system dysregulation, grief, burnout, avoidance, and the emotional challenges of trauma recovery. It also explores themes related to healing, self-worth, emotional exhaustion, survival responses, and the complicated…

  • Why’d You Have to Chase the Light Somewhere I Can’t Go?

    Why’d You Have to Chase the Light Somewhere I Can’t Go?

    I could not save him. But his story changed the course of my life. Trigger Warning This essay contains discussions of severe childhood trauma, child abuse, domestic violence, emotional abuse, alcoholism, addiction, suicidal ideation, suicide, intergenerational trauma, self-destruction, PTSD, shame, grief, and trauma-related nervous system responses. It also includes descriptions of child endangerment, physical violence…