Read on Twitter
I’m hearing this a lot. As a trauma survivor I want to point out that many of you are likely experiencing trauma, or trauma responses, for the 1st time. Here are a few helpful things to remember…
1/ https://twitter.com/quasimado/status/1252299139746070528
1/ https://twitter.com/quasimado/status/1252299139746070528
first and foremost: I’m not a therapist, or an expert. I’ve just been living with, and responding to, trauma for half my life. The first time I experience trauma I was 16, I’m now 32.
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What I’m seeing so many people describe are trauma responses, which happen due to prolonged exposure to traumatic events. This is a traumatic event, there is NO question.
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There’s no certainty right now. No one has the answers, we don’t know next steps, etc…there’s no positivity or affirmations that will resolve or make us feel 100%. However, it’s important to remember we are all doing our best.
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And my best looks different than your best, looks different than your best friends best. Please remember that. We are all managing SO much, and managing different things.
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some helpful things for me during times like this, or when I’m having a trauma trigger: I watch TV shows where I know the end. It soothes me because there are no surprises and I know the outcome.
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I focus on things I can control, on what I am accountable to. I start REAL small, think in baby steps.
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I always remember “bodies choice” (which I learned from @callyrgf, @annfriedman + @aminatou) - ask your body what it wants / needs and DELIVER. Remember that asking for what you need is not being needy.
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If possible, naming what you’re going through and experiencing to the people around you can be very helpful. Letting those folks know you may need more time, space and understanding.
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Remember that there’s no need to rush to positivity. Sitting in the anger, the frustration, the “FUCK THIS” is helpful. You’re naming something and allowing yourself to feel it.
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There’s no need to push yourself. Healing has no timeline, it’s not a linear process. We are all trying to care for ourselves, our families and communities and heal at the same time. That is A LOT.
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Practice the same compassion with yourself that you would ask, and want, your friends to. Be kind with yourself, be gentle, be easy, be slow. Practice forgiveness with yourself.
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