The price of trauma…

Growing up in a dysfunctional environment can leave its mark long after childhood is over.

I know this from experience. I went through trauma when I was young, and I know that healing from those experiences can take time.

But there's another part of trauma that I think deserves more attention: shame.

When you've been through difficult experiences, you may struggle with things that seem to come naturally to other people. You may become overwhelmed more easily. You may have a harder time feeling safe, setting boundaries, trusting people, or simply navigating certain situations.

And then, on top of the original difficulty, you judge yourself for struggling with it.

That's where shame enters the picture.

So, if this resonates with you, try not to make your struggles mean something negative about who you are. Your experiences have affected you. That doesn't mean they have to define you. Stress and anxiety can sometimes be signs that your nervous system is overwhelmed and needs support. There are many ways to work with this, and sometimes that includes getting help from someone who understands trauma.

But wherever you are in the process, kindness toward yourself is a good place to begin.

You don't have to have everything figured out today.

Take a moment. Give yourself some credit for how far you've come. Remind yourself that you're doing the best you can with where you are right now.

And tomorrow is another day.

Love,
Liesje