We all process the world differently. For those of us who carry deep trauma, things that barely register for others can hit us like a truck. A word, a tone, an image — and suddenly we’re shaken to the core. It’s an echo of old wounds, the lingering touch
Survivors cope in countless ways. Some shut down, silencing themselves and burying memories. Others cling to the illusion that our caregivers truly loved us, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary.
It is not uncommon for survivors of trauma to carry intrusive memories. They surface without consent: in dreams, in moments of stillness, sometimes in the middle of joy. The body remembers what the mind cannot control.
I’ve come to believe that a healing journey is like dealing with the death of a loved one. The pain never entirely goes away. However, the pain can be lessened over time as we relearn to embrace life more fully. My healing journey began four years ago. During COVID,