Trauma And Triggers

Summary

The website content discusses the personal journey of self-healing and shadow work, emphasizing the importance of addressing past traumas and their triggers to achieve peace and contentment.

Abstract

The article titled "Know Thyself-Heal Thyself | Weekly Prompts" focuses on the theme of "Trauma And Triggers." It delves into the author's experience with deep self-exploration, acknowledging the challenges of confronting traumatic memories that are both emotional and physical. The author introduces the concept of multiple wounded selves, such as the Wounded Child, Devastated Maiden, Abused Young Woman, and Defeated Crone, which represent different aspects of their traumatic past. The piece encourages readers to engage with their own traumas through a series of weekly prompts, suggesting that addressing these issues is crucial for personal growth and healing. The prompts are designed to facilitate self-reflection and writing as tools for understanding and processing trauma, as well as for preventing the triggering of trauma in others.

Opinions

The author believes that trauma affects not just the mind but the entire being, including physical sensations.
They acknowledge the difficulty and necessity of dealing with past traumas, even though it may be painful and intrusive.
The author suggests that ignoring trauma allows it to continue negatively impacting one's life.
They emphasize the importance of self-compassion and nurturing one's wounded selves as part of the healing process.
The article implies that many people share similar experiences with trauma, as evidenced by the abundance of self-help resources and the demand for therapy.
It advocates for the re-evaluation of one's own behavior to avoid causing trauma to others.
The author proposes a proactive approach to healing, encouraging readers to interact with their wounded selves in a positive and imaginative way.

KTHT Weekly Prompts for the Week of June 27–July 1

As part of my spiritual and self-healing journey, I have often taken deep explorations into the darkest recesses of my mind. At times, these traverses have been perilous feats as traumatic experiences resurface. It also reminds me that my entire being has memory too, not just my mind. This is especially true if the trauma was a physical one — like a sudden ache from a fractured wrist due to a car accident years ago or a sudden pain behind the eyes from a blow I didn’t see coming from an abusive partner decades ago. These residual memories can be both emotional and physical.

I believe this is why I’d put off doing such deep Shadow Work until my fifties. Who wants to relive all that pain when they are still busy living their lives? I surely didn’t. And yet, there comes a time when words and deeds trigger trauma so often, I am forced to look at that trauma and deal with it, else it continues to leech color from my world. The peace and contentment I seek are that important.

I am the first to admit I still possess my Wounded Child. She has resurfaced a lot lately, triggered by razor-sharp words that still slice into my psyche. I’ve spent a lot of time holding her and reassuring her that she is loved, wanted, and needed. However, She is not the only wounded being hiding in the wardrobe of my past. There is the Devastated Maiden, the Abused Young Woman, and the Defeated Crone living there too. They all carry scars, both emotional and physical, from my traumatic past. And from time to time, one or all of them get triggered and resurface. This is why I continue to do deep Shadow Work.

While I do not pretend to know the minds or lives of others, I am pretty sure I am not alone in this. If I were, there wouldn’t be so many self-help books on the market and therapists would be out of work. So this week, I want us all to take a step toward our own traumatic wardrobes (or closets) and explore those beings of our past who still dwell there. Let’s address our trauma and the triggers that force that trauma to resurface.

Prompts for the week:

What name(s) would you give to the wounded being(s) living in your wardrobe? What trauma(s) have left them stuck there?

How do you handle triggered trauma? Do you face it head-on or ignore it and stuff it back inside the closet?

If your biggest trauma is the result of something someone else said or did, write a letter to that person and explain how their words and/or deeds left you traumatized. (There is no need to use the person’s actual name.)

Examine your own words and deeds. How can you restructure them to prevent triggering someone else’s trauma?

Bonus prompt — Set up a playdate with one of your wounded selves. What kind of day would you want to give to that wounded self? Describe the day in full details.

Remember, there is no right or wrong way to use these prompts. Feel free to write poetry or an essay. The intention is merely to look at ourselves and reflect through writing.

There will be more prompts coming soon. Please remember to tag one or all of the editors when you use one of these prompts. We are Diana C., Spyder, jules, or me, Ravyne Hawke.

Stay blessed, my friends.