It’s Time to Accept Your Trauma Can Make You Stronger
Jane had a dream of becoming a successful business owner, as she dreamed of opening a flower shop.
But she struggled with feelings of worthlessness and self-doubt, and thought she’d never be able to put things together to open her dream shop.
She began to realize that her obstacles to reaching her dream were connected to her childhood trauma.
As her childhood was filled with abuse and neglect, Jane began to realize there were lingering affects. Even after all this time had passed.
She thought her past would define her future and that she would never be able be who she wanted to be.
Then one day, in what became a huge lightbulb a-ha moment, Jane realized that in order to achieve her dreams, she needed to confront her past and overcome her childhood trauma.
She wanted to be brave and work through her past experiences. So Jane began her journey of healing.
Self awareness was her first priority. and Jane decided she needed to learn how her childhood trauma was affecting her now as an adult.
With all of the adversity Jane experienced as a child, she began to realize that just because all this time had passed, her mind and body were still struggling with what happened so many years ago.
Through self-learning and therapy, Jane learned to understand and process her emotions and to trust herself and her choices.
She learned to let go of the limiting beliefs that had held her back for so long and to embrace her strengths. She also learned to be more compassionate towards herself and to accept that she is worthy of love, success and happiness.
There was a lot to unpack for Jane, and she was able to empower herself with ways to get through her inevitably emotional days. It’s not easy to look back and process and reflect on adversity.
See, it was that voice inside Jane’s head that was her biggest challenge. She needed to change the story she was telling herself day in and day out.
Once Jane was able to find ways to change her fixed mindset to a growth mindset, she began to be intentional about addressing her needs for healing.
She found ways to express trapped energy in her mind and body through exercise, and sharing her story with people she felt safe with.
Her healing was a process of “making sense” of what happened to her and then being intentional how to change her brain.
Yes, Jane learned about neuroplasticity — the ability to change your own brain — and through new practices of mindfulness and meditation was able to change her self talk to more of a coach than a critic.
Jane learned to talk to herself like she would a close friend or family member — with compassion and understanding.
With her new perspective, Jane was able to start her flower business.
She began to master self-leadership — and then became a more effective leader and more able to connect with her employees and customers. She also became a more well-rounded individual, investing time and energy into her personal life and relationships.
Most importantly, Jane had finally found peace with her past and was able to move forward with confidence and resilience.
Maximize your post traumatic growth
Trauma is a difficult and painful experience that can leave a lasting impact on your life.
But the truth is — it can make you stronger!
It’s hard to think that something that caused you so much hurt and suffering can also be the source of growth and strength.
There have been hundreds of studies on post-traumatic growth (PTG) — which refers to the positive changes that can occur as a result of coping with a traumatic event.
Here are a few examples of post-traumatic growth:
- Increased appreciation for life: After surviving a traumatic event, you may have a renewed appreciation for life, and you may find yourself more grateful for the little things. You may also find you have a greater sense of purpose and meaning in life.
- Greater sense of personal strength: Trauma can be incredibly difficult to cope with, but it can also be a source of strength. You may find that you’ve developed a greater sense of personal strength and self-esteem. You may also find that you’re better able to cope with stress and adversity.
- Improved relationships: Trauma can be isolating, but it can also lead to improved relationships. You may find that you’re more open and empathic towards others, and you may also find that you have stronger and more meaningful connections with the people in your life.
- New perspectives: Trauma can change the way you see the world, and it can lead to new perspectives. You may find that you have a new understanding of the world and your place in it, and you may also find that you have new priorities and values.
- Increased personal growth: Trauma can be a difficult and painful experience, but it can also be a source of personal growth. You may find that you have developed new skills, such as problem-solving, decision-making, and emotional regulation. You may also find that you have a greater sense of self-awareness and a deeper understanding of yourself and others.
Building resilience is post traumatic growth
Resilience is the ability to bounce back (bounce forward?) from adversity and setbacks — and it’s an essential component of post-traumatic growth.
Resilience is not something that you’re born with — but rather something that can be developed and strengthened over time.
One of the ways to develop your resilience is by focusing on the things that you can control.
Instead of dwelling on what you can’t change, you can focus on the things that you can control — and take action.
For example, you can work on developing healthy coping skills — such as mindfulness and meditation, to help you manage your stress and anxiety.
You can also focus on building a strong support network — whether it’s through therapy, support groups, or friends and family.
Stand in Your Power
Can you embrace your strengths?
Instead of focusing on your weaknesses — you can focus on your unique talents and abilities, and use them to achieve your goals.
You can also develop and master a growth mindset — which is the belief that you can learn and grow from your experiences, even when they are challenging and difficult.
It’s also essential to develop self-compassion — this means treating yourself with kindness, empathy and understanding. Self-compassion can help you to be kinder to yourself when you make mistakes or fail — and it can also help you to be more compassionate towards others.
Healing takes time and it’s a process that can’t be rushed. It’s ok to take things one step at a time, and it’s important to be patient and kind with yourself.
You trauma doesn’t have to define you.
By developing resilience, focusing on what you can control, embracing your strengths, and being patient and kind to yourself, you can turn your traumatic experiences into a source of growth and strength.
It’s time to accept that trauma can make you stronger. It’s not an easy process, but it’s possible.
By developing resilience, embracing a growth mindset, and being kind and compassionate towards yourself and others — you can become stronger from your trauma.
Remember that healing takes time, and it’s ok to take things one step at a time. By doing so, you’ll be able to achieve your goals and live your best life.
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