Self-Compassion—The First Step to Healing Trauma.
Self-Compassion—The First Step to Healing Trauma.
Mindbody Wellness Clarity Tip
Dear Awesome Woman,
When something has traumatized you, the first step to healing is to give yourself comfort and compassion—to hold yourself closely in a self-hug and say internally “I’m so sorry that happened to you. I’m so sorry that he/she did that to you.” You can even imagine a compassionate angel sitting next to you and whispering those words. Compassion is the key to start your healing process.
When there is a situation where you are shocked, taken aback, hurt, violated in some way, your body may be in freeze. There is a sense of helplessness and powerlessness. The way to start thawing is to self comfort, to recognize that you were a victim to something that didn’t feel good to you, that you didn’t expect, that felt cruel. When you offer compassion in the way of that simple statement, “I’m so sorry that happened to you, that that person did that to you,” you are validating your experience.
Oftentimes as children, we may have had something traumatic happen to us—even as ‘small’ as being criticized in a classroom setting, being yelled at from a parent or sibling, or a having a ‘breakup’ with a friend—and no one recognized our pain. No one validated our feelings or gave us compassion regarding that experience. Now that we are adults, we can do that for ourselves. Of course, it’s wonderful to get that validation from someone outside of ourselves as well—a mentor, a therapist, a friend—but alongside that, we need to say it to ourselves too. The adult part of us needs to hear the validation from within and the inner child part of us also needs to hear that validation from within.
From this place of kindness, you can start healing. Other emotions may emerge—anger, fear, disappointment, sadness, grief, rage etc.—and those can be processed for further healing (please schedule a Clarity call for help), but the first step is your own compassion.
Need a helping hand? I invite you to schedule your Free Clarity call today. As a Somatic Healer, Clarity Coach and Relationship Expert, I help empower women to trust themselves through the wisdom of their bodies and intuition. Marriage tune-up, toxic relationship healing, career decisions, goal setting, emotional and physical pain relief, and trauma processing can all be accomplished through an integrated somatic process in person or over the phone. Download your free e-guide: ‘3 Secrets to Solve Burnout and Get Energized the Mindbody Wellness Way’ at MiriamRacquel.com (also gives access to the free e-guide “Escape From the Borderline/Narcissist”).
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