How to Heal: Navigating “Triggers”

It seems like the entire world is at this collective, tender place where if the wind blows too strongly in one direction, we can get triggered and may fall apart. It’s a delicate and scary space to be in as it breeds unpredictability and a lack of grounding.

What do unpredictable people do when they lack grounding?!?

I want to offer a hot take b/c I believe we have more power than we give ourselves credit for.

I think of a “trigger” as something that presses on a wound, specifically an unhealed wound. I would never say we shouldn’t support people and hold them accountable for saying and doing offensive and oppressive shit. Obviously, we should! Aaaaaaaaand what is also true is we are responsible for our own healing. Our trauma was likely not our fault, but now, it has become our responsibility.

Ready for my hot take?

Overly focusing on the triggers others enact gives us an excuse not to do the work it takes to heal from those very triggers. It keeps us in victim mode. There is no power there.

I don’t know about you, but I like my power right here with me and not turned over to other people or things. Sometimes it gets yanked away from us, so obviously, I am referring to the times when we voluntarily turn it over.

Do not create an altar for your trauma and expect everyone, including yourself, to worship there.

When you experience a trigger, ask yourself:

• What am I feeling right now?

• What is this experience telling me about my need to heal?

• Where should I begin?

 Then, begin.

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