2.2 Reflect: Triggers as Teachers

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Understanding and Healing Triggers: A Journey of Self-Discovery

In this episode of SolSocial with Dr. Makeba and Friends, Dr. Makeba delves into the concept of triggers—those moments when something or someone causes a strong emotional response. She explains how these triggers are reflections of unhealed parts within us and offers practical steps to use them for self-growth. Through pausing, identifying patterns, practicing self-compassion, approaching with curiosity, and reframing and releasing, listeners are guided on how to transform their triggers into powerful tools for healing and self-discovery.

00:00 Welcome to SolSocial with Dr. Makeba

00:23 Understanding Triggers: A Deep Dive

01:58 Identifying and Pausing: The First Step

02:59 Self-Compassion and Acceptance

04:08 Reflecting with Curiosity

05:05 Reframe and Release: Transforming Triggers

06:45 Final Thoughts and Next Steps

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Sol Social w/ Dr. Makeba & Friends is a soul-nourishing podcast exploring spirituality, self-discovery, and the many paths to healing. Hosted by Dr. Makeba—spiritual life coach, intuitive healer, and 3x Amazon bestselling author—this sacred space is a soft place to land and a bold place to rise. Through honest conversation, sacred storytelling, and spiritual strategy, we invite you to return to yourself, trust your knowing, and live from your light.

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With love and light,
– Dr. Makeba & Friends

Episode Transcript

(00:00):
Welcome back to SolSocial withDr.

(00:01):
Makeba and Friends.
I'm Dr.
Makeba, your guide on thistransformative journey where
spirituality meets everydaylife.
This podcast is all about divingdeep, uncovering the truths that
guide us in finding practicalways to align with our highest
selves.
In today's episode, we'retalking about something we all

(00:22):
deal with, but don't alwaysunderstand.
Triggers.
You know those moments whensomeone says or does something
and it just hits you in a waythat you can't shake off?
What if I told you that thosemoments are mirrors, reflections
of something deeper within you.
Today we're going to explorewhat those reflections are

(00:44):
trying to teach us and how wecan use them to grow.
We're gonna talk about how thepeople in situations in our
lives often reflect back what'swithin us.
Understanding those reflectionscan lead to deep healing.
Let's be real.
We've all been triggered bysomething or someone at some

(01:05):
point.
It could be a person's comment,an event, or even something we
see online that leaves usfeeling unsettled or angry.
It's so easy to point fingersand say that's their problem,
but here's the thing.
Triggers are often reflectionsof something inside us that we
haven't fully accepted orhealed.

(01:25):
Now, before we go too deep intothe concept, let's take a moment
to breathe and acknowledge thatwe're all human.
It's okay to feel triggered.
It's a normal part of life.
The magic happens when we canuse those moments as
opportunities to learn aboutourselves and heal.

(01:49):
So how do we do that?
Let's break it down into somepractical steps.
Tool number one, identify thetrigger and the pattern.
The first thing is simple.
When you feel triggered, pause.
I know it's hard because ourinstinct is to react, but the
pause is crucial.

(02:10):
Once you pause, ask yourself,what am I really feeling here?
Is it anger hurt, jealousy?
Now, here's where the reflectioncomes in.
Look for the pattern.
Does this feeling show up inother areas of your life?
For example, do you gettriggered when people, um, are
too confident or extraconfident, or by people who seem

(02:34):
to have what you want?
The truth is, triggers oftenpoint to something inside of us
that needs attention.
Maybe it's a wound from thepast, or maybe it's a part of us
that we haven't fully accepted.
Recognizing that pattern is thefirst step in this healing tool.

(02:54):
Number two, self-compassion andacceptance.
Once you've identified thepattern, it's time for
self-compassion.
This is a big one.
Too often we're quick to judgeourselves for feeling triggered.
We think I should be over thisby now, or why does this bother
me so much?
But here's the thing, yourfeelings are valid.

(03:18):
Take a moment to place your handon your heart.
Breathe deeply and say, I amhuman and I'm allowed to feel.
This simple act ofself-compassion creates space
for healing.
It allows you to acknowledgeyour emotions without letting
them control you.

(03:39):
And here's the truth.
The part of ourselves that weresist or try to hide are often
the parts that need the mostlove.
So when you find yourselftriggered, ask what part of me
needs acceptance right now, itmight surprise you how much
relief that brings.
Tool number three, reflectingwith curiosity.

(04:03):
Let's move on to curiosity.
Instead of seeing triggers assomething negative, what if we
approach them with curiosity?
What if, instead of immediatelyreacting, we ask ourselves, what
is this trying to teach me?
For example, if someone successtriggers envy in you, get
curious about it.

(04:23):
Is it possible that theirsuccess is simply reflecting a
part of you that longs to stepinto your own greatness?
Or if someone's behaviortriggers frustration, is it
possible they're showing you apart of yourself that you've
been suppressing?
Triggers are like signposts and,and they're showing you where

(04:44):
your healing needs to happen.
So the next time you feeltriggered, try asking yourself
what lesson is being reflectedback to me here?
Approach it with curiosityinstead of judgment, and see how
that goes.
Tool number four, reframe andrelease.

(05:05):
Now, this is where the magichappens.
Once you've identified thetrigger, given yourself some
compassion and approached itwith curiosity, it is time to
reframe and release.
Here's an exercise for you.
When you're triggered, take afew minutes to journal, write
down what triggered you.

(05:27):
What you felt and what you thinkis reflecting back to you.
Then at the end of yourjournaling, write the statement.
I choose to release this triggerand see it as a reflection of my
growth.
I choose to release this triggerand see it as a reflection of my
growth.

(05:48):
This practice is so powerfulbecause it shifts your mindset
from being a victim of youremotions to seeing yourself as
empowered.
You're no longer stuck in thetrigger.
You're using it as fuel for yourgrowth.
Triggers are tough, no doubtabout it, but when we approach
them with compassion andcuriosity, they can be some of

(06:12):
our greatest teachers.
They show us where we need toheal.
They show us where we need togrow and how we can become more
aligned with our true selves.
So the next time you feeltriggered, remember these tools.
Identify the pattern.
Offer yourself compassion.
Get curious about what's beingreflected back to you, and then

(06:35):
reframe and release.
It's all part of the journey.
As you move through your day,take time to reflect on what the
world is showing you aboutyourself.
Thank you so, so much forjoining me on this episode of
SolSocial with Dr.
Makeba and Friends.
If today's episode resonatedwith you, I encourage you to

(06:55):
share it with a friend.
Leave a review and subscribe toStay Connected for future
episodes.
If you wanna dive deeper intothese topics, you can follow me
on Instagram at Dr.
Makeba for Love, 2, 2, 2.
And remember, all eight episodesof this season are available
now.
So if you're ready to keepgoing, feel free to binge listen
to the next episode.

(07:15):
Until then, take care ofyourself.
Be gentle with your triggers andcontinue on this beautiful
journey of self-discovery.
I'll see you next time onSolSocial with Dr.
Makeba and Friends, love andLight.