November 29, 2024 • 16 mins
50 Journal Prompts for Healing Trauma
Could journaling be the key to unlocking healing from trauma? Join us as we navigate the transformative journey of using journaling for trauma recovery, featuring 50 powerful prompts from the insightful blog post on Lestallion. We promise you'll uncover practical strategies to process complex emotions, understand the impact of trauma, and learn how to let go of the past without forgetting. By the end of our discussion, you'll be equipped with tools to rebuild trust in yourself and others, while fostering hope and optimism as crucial companions in your healing journey.
In this episode, we unravel the intricacies of handling trauma-related anger, treating it as a valid emotion that deserves acknowledgment and understanding. Discover the gentle art of forgiveness, and the empowering choice of moving forward. We delve into the challenges of regaining trust post-trauma, advocating for small, mindful steps towards reconnection. Lastly, we emphasize the significance of self-care and compassion, encouraging listeners to engage in simple, nurturing activities that can make a profound impact on well-being. Remember, you are not alone—support is always within reach through therapists, support groups, and online communities, ready to bolster your resilience and healing process.
LeStallion offers premium PU leather journal notebooks for writing, dedicated to all those who are pursuing their dreams and goals, or nurturing their personal development and mental health.
For More Info on LeStallion, check out:
https://lestallion.com/
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hey everybody, welcome back for another deep
dive with us.
Today we're going to be lookingat something.
Well, it's pretty powerful,honestly.
It's 50 journal prompts, andthese prompts are meant for
healing from trauma.
We actually got all these froma blog post.
It's on a website called Getthis Lestallion, and the funny
thing is, lestallion is awebsite that also sells journals
(00:21):
.
So they really got you covered.
They got you covered for thereflection you're going to be
doing.
But, on a more serious note,before we even get into any of
these prompts, I just want tosay I think it's really
important to remember thatjournaling.
Journaling is not just for,like you know, those people that
are really expressive, thewriters you know.
It's for, it's really foranyone.
It's for anyone that wants toexplore their thoughts and
feelings, and anyone that youknow ultimately wants to explore
(00:41):
their thoughts and feelings,and anyone that you know
ultimately wants to work towardshealing.
Speaker 2 (00:46):
Yeah, you're absolutely right about that.
Journaling can be such apowerful tool, and, I think,
especially when it comes toprocessing any kind of trauma.
And what I find reallyfascinating about these
particular prompts is how theytake this whole complex healing
process and they break it downinto these steps, and they're
really manageable steps.
Each of them focus on adifferent aspect of recovery.
Speaker 1 (01:07):
Yeah, okay, so the blog post.
It actually lays out five ofthese key areas.
Yeah, and they areunderstanding the impact,
processing emotions, releasingthe past, rebuilding trust and
finally embracing hope.
And I got to say, just evenhearing those categories I'm
already kind of feeling a bitintrospective.
So where should we even beginwith this?
Speaker 2 (01:26):
Well, you know, I think when talking about this,
it's important to define whatwe're talking about, what we
mean by trauma, because it's notjust about these really major
life events.
You know, trauma can be anyexperience that overwhelms our
ability to cope, and it canleave a lasting impact on our
emotional and mental well-being.
So, all of these prompts,they're really designed to help
us process those experiences,the big ones and even the small
(01:48):
ones, and then ultimately tobegin to heal.
Speaker 1 (01:51):
Yeah, okay, that really makes a lot of sense, so
maybe we should start, then,with understanding the impact,
because that could be a reallygood place to just kind of
ground ourselves.
Speaker 2 (02:08):
And there's this one prompt that asks what is one way
that your trauma has affectedhow you see yourself?
Mm-hmm, and it's.
It's pretty direct, isn't it?
It is, yeah, it is direct, andI think that's intentional.
A lot of times, trauma canreally distort our
self-perception.
It can lead to all thesenegative self beliefs or these
feelings of worthlessness.
And this prompt I think it,encourages us to really examine
those beliefs and reallyconfront the ways that trauma
has shaped how we see ourselves,our self-image.
(02:31):
It's about bringing thosehidden consequences up to the
surface.
Speaker 1 (02:35):
Yeah, it's like you're holding up this mirror to
yourself and you're seeingthese parts of yourself that you
might have been avoiding, andspeaking of things that we might
avoid.
There's another prompt herethat I think it's really
powerful.
It says what is one memoryrelated to your trauma that
feels the hardest to let go of.
Speaker 2 (02:49):
That's a tough one, but I think it highlights
something really crucial abouttrauma, Because certain memories
, they can become like theseanchors, you know, they just
weigh us down and they preventus from moving forward.
So this prompt it's encouragingus to explore like why do those
memories hold such power Tounderstand their significance
and how they continue to affectus?
So it's not necessarily aboutforgetting, but it's more about
(03:12):
understanding the why behind thelingering impact.
Speaker 1 (03:16):
So it's kind of like your detective trying to uncover
the clues behind thesepersistent memories.
But how do we actually startunpacking those memories?
Speaker 2 (03:26):
Well, there are a couple approaches you could try.
One technique is to focus onthe emotions that are associated
with that memory, so you couldask yourself, okay, what
feelings come up when I recallthis?
Are there any physicalsensations that I notice?
Another strategy is to try toidentify any triggers that might
bring up that memory, and onceyou know your triggers, you can
start to develop copingmechanisms to manage those
(03:46):
reactions.
Speaker 1 (03:46):
Yeah, that's really practical advice.
It's not just about dwelling onthe past, but it's about
actually taking steps tounderstand and manage its impact
on the present.
Speaker 2 (03:56):
Exactly, and it's important to remember too.
This is just one approach.
You know there are manytechniques out there, and it's
all about finding what worksbest for you.
Speaker 1 (04:06):
Okay, so we've talked about understanding the impact
of trauma on our self-image andhow certain memories can really
stick with us, but I'm curioushow do emotions fit into all of
this?
Speaker 2 (04:16):
Well, that's where the next category comes in
processing emotions.
Trauma often leaves us withthis whole jumble of feelings,
you know sadness, anger, fearand it can be really tempting to
try to just suppress or ignorethose emotions.
But the truth is allowingourselves to feel those emotions
.
That's actually a crucial partof healing.
Speaker 1 (04:35):
So it's not about trying to be happy all the time.
It's more about allowingyourself to experience the full
spectrum of emotions, even thedifficult ones.
Speaker 2 (04:42):
Exactly, and one prompt that really speaks to
this is how do you feel when youallow yourself to cry about
your trauma?
Crying can be incrediblycathartic.
It's like you're releasing allthose pent up emotions, you're
giving them a physical outlet,and I think it's important to
emphasize here allowing yourselfto cry.
That doesn't make you weak, itmakes you human.
It's a natural response to painand it's a sign that you're
(05:05):
allowing yourself to processthese experiences.
Yeah, that's.
Speaker 1 (05:09):
That's such a powerful message, and I think it
really speaks to the importanceof self-compassion in this
whole process.
Speaker 2 (05:15):
It's about being kind to ourselves and allowing
ourselves to feel what we needto feel we need to feel
Absolutely, and you know,there's another prompt here in
this section that I think isreally important, especially
because it deals with an emotionthat often gets a bad rap.
It asks how do you handle angerrelated to your trauma?
Speaker 1 (05:32):
That's interesting.
Why do you think that prompt isso important?
Speaker 2 (05:34):
Well, anger is a very natural response to trauma.
It's a way of expressing ourhurt, our frustration and even,
you know, a sense of injustice.
But so often we're taught tosuppress anger.
Especially think women aretaught to suppress anger.
And this prompt, it'sencouraging us to acknowledge
our anger as a valid emotion,but also to find healthy ways to
(05:55):
express and manage it.
So it's about understanding theroot of that anger and finding
ways to work through it that areconstructive, rather than
letting it control us.
Speaker 1 (06:05):
So it's not about condoning any harmful actions,
but it's about recognizing angeras a signal that something
needs to be addressed.
Okay, that makes a lot of sense.
So we've talked aboutunderstanding the impact of
trauma, processing emotions.
What comes next in this journey?
Speaker 2 (06:19):
Well, after we acknowledge the impact and we
start to process those emotions,the next step is usually
releasing the past, and thisdoesn't mean like forgetting
what happened.
It's more about finding ways toloosen its grip on us,
recognizing what's, what's nolonger serving us and choosing
to move forward.
Speaker 1 (06:35):
I like that Choosing to move forward.
It implies that we have achoice, even though sometimes
trauma can feel like it'sdefining our entire lives.
Speaker 2 (06:44):
Yeah, there was one prompt in this category that
really resonated with me.
It asked what is one thingyou've been holding on to from
your trauma that you're ready tolet go of.
Speaker 1 (06:54):
It's such a simple question.
Speaker 2 (06:55):
Yeah.
But it just feels so profoundit is yeah it is profound and
you know know, sometimes it'sthose simplest questions that
are the most powerful, likewe're inviting ourselves to take
inventory of what we'recarrying, what burdens we're
clinging to, and then we'reactually giving ourselves
permission to release thoseburdens and to make space for
(07:15):
healing and growth.
Speaker 1 (07:16):
Yeah, it makes me think about the whole concept of
forgiveness Such a loaded wordbut there's a prompt in this
category that asks how do youfeel when you think about
forgiveness?
And I think that's like such agentle way to approach such a
complex topic.
Speaker 2 (07:30):
Yeah, it is gentle, and I think that's really
important, because forgivenessit's not about condoning what
happened or minimizing the painat all.
It's about acknowledging thatharm was done but choosing not
to let it define us or poisonour future.
And I think it's important toremember that.
Forgiveness is a process.
It's not a destination.
It can take time and it ofteninvolves forgiving ourselves as
(07:54):
well as forgiving those who hurtus.
Speaker 1 (07:55):
That makes a lot of sense.
It's not a one-time thing.
It's like this ongoing processof letting go and making peace
with the past.
But after releasing the past,what's next?
How do we start to rebuild ourlives after going through
something traumatic?
Speaker 2 (08:09):
Well, that's where the next category comes in
Rebuilding trust.
Trauma.
It can really shatter our senseof trust, and not just in other
people but also in ourselves.
So this section is all aboutrestoring that trust, piece by
piece.
Speaker 1 (08:21):
It makes me think about the prompt that asks how
do you begin to trust yourselfagain after trauma, because I
think that's something a lot ofpeople struggle with After
experiencing something traumatic.
It can be so hard to trust ourown judgment, our instincts,
even our own memory sometimes.
Speaker 2 (08:38):
It absolutely can be.
That's why that prompt is sovital.
It's encouraging us to startpaying attention to those inner
whispers, reconnecting with ourintuition and reclaiming that
sense of agency.
You know, it's aboutrecognizing that we have that
wisdom and strength withinourselves to heal and to make
wise choices.
Speaker 1 (08:57):
Yeah, it's like you're learning to trust our
inner compass again after it'sbeen knocked off course.
But rebuilding trust isn't justabout trusting ourselves, is it
?
It's also about learning totrust other people again.
Speaker 2 (09:08):
You're exactly right, and there's actually a prompt
that speaks directly to this.
It asks what is one way you canpractice trusting others in
your life.
So this is encouraging us totake small steps, to start with
people that we feel safe withand gradually expand our circle
of trust.
Speaker 1 (09:22):
Yeah, those baby steps towards connection and
vulnerability.
Yeah, I imagine that can feelreally scary For someone who's
been hurt in the past.
What advice would you give tosomeone who's struggling with
that fear?
Speaker 2 (09:33):
I would say start small and be patient with
yourself.
It's okay to be cautious.
Choose people who have proventhemselves to be trustworthy,
People who respect yourboundaries and make you feel
safe.
And remember trust is builtover time through consistent
actions and open communication.
It's not something that happensovernight.
Speaker 1 (09:52):
So it's about finding those safe harbors.
Speaker 2 (09:54):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (09:55):
Those people who can support us as we navigate this
whole process.
Speaker 2 (09:58):
And rebuilding trust.
Speaker 1 (09:59):
Okay so we've talked about understanding the impact,
processing emotions, releasingthe past and rebuilding trust
that feels, like a lot of heavylifting.
Where do we go from here?
Is there light at the end ofthe tunnel?
Speaker 2 (10:10):
Absolutely, and that's where our final category
comes in embracing hope.
This section is all aboutshifting our focus from the pain
of the past to the possibilityof a brighter future.
It's about finding thoseglimmers of light that keep us
going, even when things feelreally challenging.
Speaker 1 (10:29):
Yeah, I love that image Glimmers of light.
There's a prompt in thiscategory that I think really
captures that feeling and askshow do you stay hopeful when the
healing process feelsoverwhelming?
And I think we all have thosemoments right where it just
feels like we're just not makingany progress.
Speaker 2 (10:43):
No, absolutely.
Yeah, that one really resonatedwith me too, because I think we
all have those times where wejust feel like, ugh, it's just
not happening.
Speaker 1 (10:51):
And that's exactly why I think this prompt is so
crucial, because it'sencouraging us to think about
okay, what are those things thatcan nourish my sense of hope,
especially when things feelreally difficult?
You know, it could be, it couldbe people in my life, it could
be activities, certain beliefs.
You know, it could be somethingas simple as spending time in
nature or listening to someuplifting music, or connecting
(11:12):
with loved ones.
Yeah, those little rituals,they can make such a big
difference.
And I think it's important toremember, too, that hope isn't
about, you know, pretending likeeverything's OK.
Speaker 2 (11:21):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (11:21):
It's about acknowledging the challenges but
still believing that healingand growth are possible.
Speaker 2 (11:27):
Exactly, hope is a powerful force and it can really
sustain us through those reallydark times.
And you know, there's anotherprompt in this category that I
just think is so beautiful.
It asks what is one positivechange you've noticed in
yourself as you've healed?
Speaker 1 (11:43):
Oh, I love that one.
Yeah, it's like we'recelebrating those small
victories, those signs that weare making progress, even if it
doesn't always feel like itExactly.
Speaker 2 (11:52):
It's so easy to get caught up in what's still
difficult, but I think takingthe time to acknowledge those
positive changes, to acknowledgethose moments of growth, that
can be so empowering because itreminds us that we are capable
of healing, that we areresilient and that we are moving
forward.
Speaker 1 (12:07):
Yeah, it's like we're collecting those little
glimmers of hope and we'reweaving them together into
something stronger, somethingthat can guide us through the
rest of our journey.
But I'm curious what about whenyou know those glimmers of hope
?
They feel really faint?
What happens when you know thehealing feels slow or even
stagnant?
Speaker 2 (12:26):
Yeah, well, that's where resilience comes in.
You know, healing it's notalways a linear process.
There will be setbacks, therewill be plateaus, even moments
where it feels like you'retaking steps backward, but it's
in those moments that we reallyneed to dig deep and draw on
that inner strength.
Speaker 1 (12:43):
It's like a lobe.
We're climbing a mountain.
Speaker 2 (12:45):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (12:46):
And sometimes the path gets really steep or rocky
and we might need to just pause,catch our breath, maybe even
adjust our route.
But as long as we keep our eyeson the summit, we'll get there
eventually.
Speaker 2 (12:57):
Exactly, and there's a prompt that speaks to this
challenge.
It asks how do you hold on tohope when healing feels slow?
And I think that's such animportant reminder that, even
when the progress is subtle,it's still happening.
Sometimes it's happeningbeneath the surface, in ways
that we can't always see or evenfeel right away.
Speaker 1 (13:15):
Yeah, it's about trusting the process, even when
it's frustrating or evendiscouraging.
But how do we actuallycultivate that trust?
You know what are some thingswe can do, some practical things
to stay connected, to hope,especially in those challenging
moments.
Speaker 2 (13:30):
I think it goes back to those little rituals we
talked about earlier spendingtime in nature, connecting with
loved ones, engaging inactivities that just brings joy.
Connecting with loved ones,engaging in activities that just
bring us joy.
Speaker 1 (13:42):
it's about intentionally creating moments
of peace and nourishment forourselves, even when things feel
chaotic and it's aboutcelebrating, you know, those
small victories, those momentsof progress, no matter how small
they might seem.
There's a prompt that asks howdo you celebrate the small
victories in your healingprocess?
Why is that such a crucialelement of the journey?
Speaker 2 (13:59):
because it reinfor, reinforces our resilience.
You know it reminds us that weare capable of moving forward.
We're capable of overcomingthese challenges.
Each small victory is a step inthe right direction, and
acknowledging those steps canreally help us stay motivated
and hopeful, even when the pathahead feels long.
Speaker 1 (14:15):
Yeah, it's like we're giving ourselves a little pat
on the back, you know, sayinghey, you're doing a good job,
keep going.
And those small celebrations,they can add up to something
really powerful over time.
Speaker 2 (14:26):
They absolutely can.
You know, as we've been talkingabout these prompts, I've been
really struck by how much theyemphasize the importance of
self-compassion.
It's like a thread that runsthrough all five categories.
Speaker 1 (14:37):
You're right, yeah.
Whether it's acknowledging theimpact of trauma, allowing
ourselves to feel our emotions,or celebrating our victories, it
really all comes back totreating ourselves with kindness
and understanding.
Speaker 2 (14:54):
Exactly, and that's something I would want to
emphasize for anyone listeningwho's on this healing journey Be
gentle with yourself.
You're doing the best you canwith what you've been through.
Healing takes time and it's notalways easy, but with patience,
self-compassion and a littlebit of hope, it is possible.
Speaker 1 (15:07):
That's such a powerful message.
I think it's the perfect way towrap up our deep dive today.
But before we go, I want toleave our listeners with one
final thought provoking question, inspired by everything that
we've discussed today.
What is one small act ofself-care or self-compassion
that you can commit to today tosupport your own healing process
?
It can be something as simpleas taking a few deep breaths,
(15:30):
listening to your favorite songor spending some time in nature.
Just remember even the smallestgestures of kindness towards
yourself can make a world ofdifference.
Speaker 2 (15:39):
Beautifully said, and remember you are not alone on
this journey.
There are so many resourcesavailable to support you,
including therapists, supportgroups and even online
communities, so don't hesitateto reach out for help if you
need it.
Speaker 1 (15:52):
Thank you all so much for joining us on this deep
dive into healing.
Until next time, keep exploring, keep healing and keep
believing in the power of yourown resiliency.
Hey everybody, welcome back for another deep
dive with us.
Today we're going to be lookingat something.
Well, it's pretty powerful,honestly.
It's 50 journal prompts, andthese prompts are meant for
healing from trauma.
We actually got all these froma blog post.
It's on a website called Getthis Lestallion, and the funny
thing is, lestallion is awebsite that also sells journals
(00:21):
.
So they really got you covered.
They got you covered for thereflection you're going to be
doing.
But, on a more serious note,before we even get into any of
these prompts, I just want tosay I think it's really
important to remember thatjournaling.
Journaling is not just for,like you know, those people that
are really expressive, thewriters you know.
It's for, it's really foranyone.
It's for anyone that wants toexplore their thoughts and
feelings, and anyone that youknow ultimately wants to explore
(00:41):
their thoughts and feelings,and anyone that you know
ultimately wants to work towardshealing.
Speaker 2 (00:46):
Yeah, you're absolutely right about that.
Journaling can be such apowerful tool, and, I think,
especially when it comes toprocessing any kind of trauma.
And what I find reallyfascinating about these
particular prompts is how theytake this whole complex healing
process and they break it downinto these steps, and they're
really manageable steps.
Each of them focus on adifferent aspect of recovery.
Speaker 1 (01:07):
Yeah, okay, so the blog post.
It actually lays out five ofthese key areas.
Yeah, and they areunderstanding the impact,
processing emotions, releasingthe past, rebuilding trust and
finally embracing hope.
And I got to say, just evenhearing those categories I'm
already kind of feeling a bitintrospective.
So where should we even beginwith this?
Speaker 2 (01:26):
Well, you know, I think when talking about this,
it's important to define whatwe're talking about, what we
mean by trauma, because it's notjust about these really major
life events.
You know, trauma can be anyexperience that overwhelms our
ability to cope, and it canleave a lasting impact on our
emotional and mental well-being.
So, all of these prompts,they're really designed to help
us process those experiences,the big ones and even the small
(01:48):
ones, and then ultimately tobegin to heal.
Speaker 1 (01:51):
Yeah, okay, that really makes a lot of sense, so
maybe we should start, then,with understanding the impact,
because that could be a reallygood place to just kind of
ground ourselves.
Speaker 2 (02:08):
And there's this one prompt that asks what is one way
that your trauma has affectedhow you see yourself?
Mm-hmm, and it's.
It's pretty direct, isn't it?
It is, yeah, it is direct, andI think that's intentional.
A lot of times, trauma canreally distort our
self-perception.
It can lead to all thesenegative self beliefs or these
feelings of worthlessness.
And this prompt I think it,encourages us to really examine
those beliefs and reallyconfront the ways that trauma
has shaped how we see ourselves,our self-image.
(02:31):
It's about bringing thosehidden consequences up to the
surface.
Speaker 1 (02:35):
Yeah, it's like you're holding up this mirror to
yourself and you're seeingthese parts of yourself that you
might have been avoiding, andspeaking of things that we might
avoid.
There's another prompt herethat I think it's really
powerful.
It says what is one memoryrelated to your trauma that
feels the hardest to let go of.
Speaker 2 (02:49):
That's a tough one, but I think it highlights
something really crucial abouttrauma, Because certain memories
, they can become like theseanchors, you know, they just
weigh us down and they preventus from moving forward.
So this prompt it's encouragingus to explore like why do those
memories hold such power Tounderstand their significance
and how they continue to affectus?
So it's not necessarily aboutforgetting, but it's more about
(03:12):
understanding the why behind thelingering impact.
Speaker 1 (03:16):
So it's kind of like your detective trying to uncover
the clues behind thesepersistent memories.
But how do we actually startunpacking those memories?
Speaker 2 (03:26):
Well, there are a couple approaches you could try.
One technique is to focus onthe emotions that are associated
with that memory, so you couldask yourself, okay, what
feelings come up when I recallthis?
Are there any physicalsensations that I notice?
Another strategy is to try toidentify any triggers that might
bring up that memory, and onceyou know your triggers, you can
start to develop copingmechanisms to manage those
(03:46):
reactions.
Speaker 1 (03:46):
Yeah, that's really practical advice.
It's not just about dwelling onthe past, but it's about
actually taking steps tounderstand and manage its impact
on the present.
Speaker 2 (03:56):
Exactly, and it's important to remember too.
This is just one approach.
You know there are manytechniques out there, and it's
all about finding what worksbest for you.
Speaker 1 (04:06):
Okay, so we've talked about understanding the impact
of trauma on our self-image andhow certain memories can really
stick with us, but I'm curioushow do emotions fit into all of
this?
Speaker 2 (04:16):
Well, that's where the next category comes in
processing emotions.
Trauma often leaves us withthis whole jumble of feelings,
you know sadness, anger, fearand it can be really tempting to
try to just suppress or ignorethose emotions.
But the truth is allowingourselves to feel those emotions
.
That's actually a crucial partof healing.
Speaker 1 (04:35):
So it's not about trying to be happy all the time.
It's more about allowingyourself to experience the full
spectrum of emotions, even thedifficult ones.
Speaker 2 (04:42):
Exactly, and one prompt that really speaks to
this is how do you feel when youallow yourself to cry about
your trauma?
Crying can be incrediblycathartic.
It's like you're releasing allthose pent up emotions, you're
giving them a physical outlet,and I think it's important to
emphasize here allowing yourselfto cry.
That doesn't make you weak, itmakes you human.
It's a natural response to painand it's a sign that you're
(05:05):
allowing yourself to processthese experiences.
Yeah, that's.
Speaker 1 (05:09):
That's such a powerful message, and I think it
really speaks to the importanceof self-compassion in this
whole process.
Speaker 2 (05:15):
It's about being kind to ourselves and allowing
ourselves to feel what we needto feel we need to feel
Absolutely, and you know,there's another prompt here in
this section that I think isreally important, especially
because it deals with an emotionthat often gets a bad rap.
It asks how do you handle angerrelated to your trauma?
Speaker 1 (05:32):
That's interesting.
Why do you think that prompt isso important?
Speaker 2 (05:34):
Well, anger is a very natural response to trauma.
It's a way of expressing ourhurt, our frustration and even,
you know, a sense of injustice.
But so often we're taught tosuppress anger.
Especially think women aretaught to suppress anger.
And this prompt, it'sencouraging us to acknowledge
our anger as a valid emotion,but also to find healthy ways to
(05:55):
express and manage it.
So it's about understanding theroot of that anger and finding
ways to work through it that areconstructive, rather than
letting it control us.
Speaker 1 (06:05):
So it's not about condoning any harmful actions,
but it's about recognizing angeras a signal that something
needs to be addressed.
Okay, that makes a lot of sense.
So we've talked aboutunderstanding the impact of
trauma, processing emotions.
What comes next in this journey?
Speaker 2 (06:19):
Well, after we acknowledge the impact and we
start to process those emotions,the next step is usually
releasing the past, and thisdoesn't mean like forgetting
what happened.
It's more about finding ways toloosen its grip on us,
recognizing what's, what's nolonger serving us and choosing
to move forward.
Speaker 1 (06:35):
I like that Choosing to move forward.
It implies that we have achoice, even though sometimes
trauma can feel like it'sdefining our entire lives.
Speaker 2 (06:44):
Yeah, there was one prompt in this category that
really resonated with me.
It asked what is one thingyou've been holding on to from
your trauma that you're ready tolet go of.
Speaker 1 (06:54):
It's such a simple question.
Speaker 2 (06:55):
Yeah.
But it just feels so profoundit is yeah it is profound and
you know know, sometimes it'sthose simplest questions that
are the most powerful, likewe're inviting ourselves to take
inventory of what we'recarrying, what burdens we're
clinging to, and then we'reactually giving ourselves
permission to release thoseburdens and to make space for
(07:15):
healing and growth.
Speaker 1 (07:16):
Yeah, it makes me think about the whole concept of
forgiveness Such a loaded wordbut there's a prompt in this
category that asks how do youfeel when you think about
forgiveness?
And I think that's like such agentle way to approach such a
complex topic.
Speaker 2 (07:30):
Yeah, it is gentle, and I think that's really
important, because forgivenessit's not about condoning what
happened or minimizing the painat all.
It's about acknowledging thatharm was done but choosing not
to let it define us or poisonour future.
And I think it's important toremember that.
Forgiveness is a process.
It's not a destination.
It can take time and it ofteninvolves forgiving ourselves as
(07:54):
well as forgiving those who hurtus.
Speaker 1 (07:55):
That makes a lot of sense.
It's not a one-time thing.
It's like this ongoing processof letting go and making peace
with the past.
But after releasing the past,what's next?
How do we start to rebuild ourlives after going through
something traumatic?
Speaker 2 (08:09):
Well, that's where the next category comes in
Rebuilding trust.
Trauma.
It can really shatter our senseof trust, and not just in other
people but also in ourselves.
So this section is all aboutrestoring that trust, piece by
piece.
Speaker 1 (08:21):
It makes me think about the prompt that asks how
do you begin to trust yourselfagain after trauma, because I
think that's something a lot ofpeople struggle with After
experiencing something traumatic.
It can be so hard to trust ourown judgment, our instincts,
even our own memory sometimes.
Speaker 2 (08:38):
It absolutely can be.
That's why that prompt is sovital.
It's encouraging us to startpaying attention to those inner
whispers, reconnecting with ourintuition and reclaiming that
sense of agency.
You know, it's aboutrecognizing that we have that
wisdom and strength withinourselves to heal and to make
wise choices.
Speaker 1 (08:57):
Yeah, it's like you're learning to trust our
inner compass again after it'sbeen knocked off course.
But rebuilding trust isn't justabout trusting ourselves, is it
?
It's also about learning totrust other people again.
Speaker 2 (09:08):
You're exactly right, and there's actually a prompt
that speaks directly to this.
It asks what is one way you canpractice trusting others in
your life.
So this is encouraging us totake small steps, to start with
people that we feel safe withand gradually expand our circle
of trust.
Speaker 1 (09:22):
Yeah, those baby steps towards connection and
vulnerability.
Yeah, I imagine that can feelreally scary For someone who's
been hurt in the past.
What advice would you give tosomeone who's struggling with
that fear?
Speaker 2 (09:33):
I would say start small and be patient with
yourself.
It's okay to be cautious.
Choose people who have proventhemselves to be trustworthy,
People who respect yourboundaries and make you feel
safe.
And remember trust is builtover time through consistent
actions and open communication.
It's not something that happensovernight.
Speaker 1 (09:52):
So it's about finding those safe harbors.
Speaker 2 (09:54):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (09:55):
Those people who can support us as we navigate this
whole process.
Speaker 2 (09:58):
And rebuilding trust.
Speaker 1 (09:59):
Okay so we've talked about understanding the impact,
processing emotions, releasingthe past and rebuilding trust
that feels, like a lot of heavylifting.
Where do we go from here?
Is there light at the end ofthe tunnel?
Speaker 2 (10:10):
Absolutely, and that's where our final category
comes in embracing hope.
This section is all aboutshifting our focus from the pain
of the past to the possibilityof a brighter future.
It's about finding thoseglimmers of light that keep us
going, even when things feelreally challenging.
Speaker 1 (10:29):
Yeah, I love that image Glimmers of light.
There's a prompt in thiscategory that I think really
captures that feeling and askshow do you stay hopeful when the
healing process feelsoverwhelming?
And I think we all have thosemoments right where it just
feels like we're just not makingany progress.
Speaker 2 (10:43):
No, absolutely.
Yeah, that one really resonatedwith me too, because I think we
all have those times where wejust feel like, ugh, it's just
not happening.
Speaker 1 (10:51):
And that's exactly why I think this prompt is so
crucial, because it'sencouraging us to think about
okay, what are those things thatcan nourish my sense of hope,
especially when things feelreally difficult?
You know, it could be, it couldbe people in my life, it could
be activities, certain beliefs.
You know, it could be somethingas simple as spending time in
nature or listening to someuplifting music, or connecting
(11:12):
with loved ones.
Yeah, those little rituals,they can make such a big
difference.
And I think it's important toremember, too, that hope isn't
about, you know, pretending likeeverything's OK.
Speaker 2 (11:21):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (11:21):
It's about acknowledging the challenges but
still believing that healingand growth are possible.
Speaker 2 (11:27):
Exactly, hope is a powerful force and it can really
sustain us through those reallydark times.
And you know, there's anotherprompt in this category that I
just think is so beautiful.
It asks what is one positivechange you've noticed in
yourself as you've healed?
Speaker 1 (11:43):
Oh, I love that one.
Yeah, it's like we'recelebrating those small
victories, those signs that weare making progress, even if it
doesn't always feel like itExactly.
Speaker 2 (11:52):
It's so easy to get caught up in what's still
difficult, but I think takingthe time to acknowledge those
positive changes, to acknowledgethose moments of growth, that
can be so empowering because itreminds us that we are capable
of healing, that we areresilient and that we are moving
forward.
Speaker 1 (12:07):
Yeah, it's like we're collecting those little
glimmers of hope and we'reweaving them together into
something stronger, somethingthat can guide us through the
rest of our journey.
But I'm curious what about whenyou know those glimmers of hope
?
They feel really faint?
What happens when you know thehealing feels slow or even
stagnant?
Speaker 2 (12:26):
Yeah, well, that's where resilience comes in.
You know, healing it's notalways a linear process.
There will be setbacks, therewill be plateaus, even moments
where it feels like you'retaking steps backward, but it's
in those moments that we reallyneed to dig deep and draw on
that inner strength.
Speaker 1 (12:43):
It's like a lobe.
We're climbing a mountain.
Speaker 2 (12:45):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (12:46):
And sometimes the path gets really steep or rocky
and we might need to just pause,catch our breath, maybe even
adjust our route.
But as long as we keep our eyeson the summit, we'll get there
eventually.
Speaker 2 (12:57):
Exactly, and there's a prompt that speaks to this
challenge.
It asks how do you hold on tohope when healing feels slow?
And I think that's such animportant reminder that, even
when the progress is subtle,it's still happening.
Sometimes it's happeningbeneath the surface, in ways
that we can't always see or evenfeel right away.
Speaker 1 (13:15):
Yeah, it's about trusting the process, even when
it's frustrating or evendiscouraging.
But how do we actuallycultivate that trust?
You know what are some thingswe can do, some practical things
to stay connected, to hope,especially in those challenging
moments.
Speaker 2 (13:30):
I think it goes back to those little rituals we
talked about earlier spendingtime in nature, connecting with
loved ones, engaging inactivities that just brings joy.
Connecting with loved ones,engaging in activities that just
bring us joy.
Speaker 1 (13:42):
it's about intentionally creating moments
of peace and nourishment forourselves, even when things feel
chaotic and it's aboutcelebrating, you know, those
small victories, those momentsof progress, no matter how small
they might seem.
There's a prompt that asks howdo you celebrate the small
victories in your healingprocess?
Why is that such a crucialelement of the journey?
Speaker 2 (13:59):
because it reinfor, reinforces our resilience.
You know it reminds us that weare capable of moving forward.
We're capable of overcomingthese challenges.
Each small victory is a step inthe right direction, and
acknowledging those steps canreally help us stay motivated
and hopeful, even when the pathahead feels long.
Speaker 1 (14:15):
Yeah, it's like we're giving ourselves a little pat
on the back, you know, sayinghey, you're doing a good job,
keep going.
And those small celebrations,they can add up to something
really powerful over time.
Speaker 2 (14:26):
They absolutely can.
You know, as we've been talkingabout these prompts, I've been
really struck by how much theyemphasize the importance of
self-compassion.
It's like a thread that runsthrough all five categories.
Speaker 1 (14:37):
You're right, yeah.
Whether it's acknowledging theimpact of trauma, allowing
ourselves to feel our emotions,or celebrating our victories, it
really all comes back totreating ourselves with kindness
and understanding.
Speaker 2 (14:54):
Exactly, and that's something I would want to
emphasize for anyone listeningwho's on this healing journey Be
gentle with yourself.
You're doing the best you canwith what you've been through.
Healing takes time and it's notalways easy, but with patience,
self-compassion and a littlebit of hope, it is possible.
Speaker 1 (15:07):
That's such a powerful message.
I think it's the perfect way towrap up our deep dive today.
But before we go, I want toleave our listeners with one
final thought provoking question, inspired by everything that
we've discussed today.
What is one small act ofself-care or self-compassion
that you can commit to today tosupport your own healing process
?
It can be something as simpleas taking a few deep breaths,
(15:30):
listening to your favorite songor spending some time in nature.
Just remember even the smallestgestures of kindness towards
yourself can make a world ofdifference.
Speaker 2 (15:39):
Beautifully said, and remember you are not alone on
this journey.
There are so many resourcesavailable to support you,
including therapists, supportgroups and even online
communities, so don't hesitateto reach out for help if you
need it.
Speaker 1 (15:52):
Thank you all so much for joining us on this deep
dive into healing.
Until next time, keep exploring, keep healing and keep
believing in the power of yourown resiliency.
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