Trauma Healing

Personal Experience Healing from Trauma

  • Istockphoto.com

    3am has been the magic hour of wake up for me for about a week now. Sometimes I’m able to fall back to sleep rather quickly. Last night, however, or this morning, I don’t think I fell back to sleep until about 4:30am then had to be up at 6:30am to make sure the boys make the bus.

    But there has been a saying I’ve heard several times. If you wake up at 3am it’s some sort of sign. Ghouls or goblins are waking you up.

    In all seriousness, waking up at 3 a.m. can be due to stress or anxiety. Your biological clock gets out of whack. But it can also have a spiritual meaning in various traditions, representing a time for divine connection, heightened intuition, or a cosmic message to pay attention to for spiritual growth and life changes. 

    The later makes the most sense. I’ve had a lot going on for a few weeks now, and it’s been giving me even more anxiety than I usually have. Starting with a new client and moving in less than a month has me stressed and anxious, more than usual. I haven’t lived on my own in over five (5+) years. Am I ready?

    It’s apparent God is going to teach me something new. That’s the only answer I come up with when I try to figure out why all the life changes at once? I want to be excited about it, but I’ve got some huge fears. Not so fearful that I’m going to back out. But a couple of days ago I sure thought about it. I even sent a text message to the manager asking her if it was too late to change my mind? But then about a half hour later I sent her another text and said Forget it, I don’t need to know. I’m looking forward to the move. And then, after talking with my daughter about it again my reservations disappeared. I think I just needed a pep talk. And my daughter was very helpful in reminding me of the good things about having my own place. So my excitement has returned.

  • Istockphoto.com

    I decided to start my morning off with a gratitude list. Because I have a lot to be grateful for.

    • First off I’m grateful that I was able to fall back to sleep after waking up at 3am in the morning for the third day in a row. I probably fell back to sleep around 4:30am, then woke up for the day at 6:30am. I’d probably still be sleeping, but it was my duty this morning to make sure the kids caught the bus.
    • I am grateful for coffee. It’s the first thing I grab in the morning and gives me time to open my eyes.
    • I’m grateful I have a job. I just started with a new client yesterday and other than a bit overwhelming it was a pretty alright day yesterday with work.
    • I’m grateful for my family. Not just the immediate family I’m currently living with, but also my mother and siblings, as well as their significant others and children.
    • I’m grateful for friendship. I hold close to my heart some friends that play a significant role in my life.
    • The biggest one, I am grateful to God. For being by my side even through the toughest of times. I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for His grace and mercy. I’m always falling short and He’s always picking me up, brushing me off and telling me to get back in the rink. Don’t give up. Nobody likes a quitter.
    • I’m actually grateful for all people of all backgrounds, because if we were all the same life would be boring. I can’t imagine another me running around out in the world. Haha.
    • I’m grateful for candles. I usually burn one every day. I get them at the Dollar Tree. They’re like 7 day candles. But they call them something else at the store.
    • I’m grateful for incense. Most people can’t tolerate the smell, but for me, that smell is heaven, no matter which one I’m burning. I do have my favorites though: Palo Santo, Dragons Blood and Copal are my favorites. I’m grateful my family allows me to burn them. It puts me in a very comfortable mood.
    • I’m grateful for meditation music. That with a candle and burning incense puts me in a really pleasant mood for most of the day. I tend to stay more grounded if I’m able to perform these rituals right away in the morning. That’s not always possible, but I somehow make time for it. If I can’t right away in the morning then I wait till I get home from work. It’s very unwinding.
    • I’m grateful for my support system, which includes friends, family and doctors (psyc, therapist. Family practice, DBT therapy, etc.). All of these people work together to help me be successful.
    • I’m grateful for the roof over my head. I know a lot of people in this state are homeless and unfortunately our governor doesn’t give a rip. He’s too busy putting up homes for the illegal immigrants. Like I said in a previous post, if I had the money I sure would find a way to help house the homeless.

    I think my list could go on and on, because today, not only do I feel grateful, but I also feel unconditional love for everybody. Unfortunately, I really suck at sharing warm feelings. That’s probably why I’m such a giver. I don’t know any other way to show people they are important to me, other than to give them something to prove their importance in my life. Would that be considered a bribe? 😂 I don’t know. I just do what my heart tells me to do.

  • Mindset Motivation

    There is absolute truth to this. I don’t think there’s much else I can say about it. Other than it’s pretty sad. But it is also the absolute truth. Every fiber of your being is completely denied when you’re a child dealing with an unhealed parent.

    I used to hold some pretty heavy grudges against my parents. Mainly my dad. But since he passed away in 2009 I’ve only had my mother to deal with, and let’s just face it, her and I have always had a tumultuous relationship.

    I forgave my dad. It was easier to forgive him than it has been to forgive my mother. The reasoning behind that is I feel my dad apologized to me in his own way. And with that apology came change on his part. And well, when he changed I saw him differently. He was no longer the monster. He was actually pretty frail and dependent.

    My mom and dad had a house fire back when I was in my early 30’s I believe(?). Anyway, my dad ended up with severe burns to his face and arms. How so you ask? Well, the fire started on my youngest sister’s bed somehow. It was my understanding that she was flicking her lighter while being in bed and somehow that started her mattress on fire. My dad, being the way he was, tried to save the house by carrying the mattress out the door. Well, once the mattress got oxygen it engulfed into flames, and my dad carried it out of the house like that. Yes, my dad was pretty…… Brave.

    I don’t know why he didn’t let that house burn to the ground. There are nothing but bad memories and negative vibes when I touch foot on that property. I feel like he’s left a scar to everybody in that household. But I do forgive him. He didn’t know what was going on. He had a mental illness. That doesn’t change how it affected me though. Or others.

    I do love my dad. I don’t mean to talk bad about him. I’m just being honest. That’s what makes me the black sheep. I tell the truth. When everybody else wants silence.

    I loved my dad. I didn’t know it at the time of his death, but my five (5) year binge drinking told the honest truth. I was suffering over it. And I still, to this day, don’t understand why his death profoundly affected me the way it did.

  • How Family’s Wound Sensitive Souls- Sensitive Psychology

    I’ve been watching this video and it is blowing my mind away. I’ve been watching these series for about a week or so now, and none of them have sounded more accurate.

    The wound is so real. Yet you have to pretend that it never existed. You grow up with these roles you and your siblings play, even though nobody knew these roles existed.

    My family was the classic dysfunctional family. My father was an alcoholic that was later diagnosed with schizophrenia when he finally decided to get sober. We all wondered why his behavior was so strange and embarrassing? Well, after the diagnosis everything fit into place.

    When my dad was alive he was mean. Not toward the end of his life. But he was mean when we were growing up. He was mean to me and my mom the most. But in all actuality he was just mean to everybody. The ones he favored felt guilty for being liked by him. They felt like the things he did to me should’ve been done to them also.

    But this makes complete sense to me. I learned in therapy, the one’s who were favored felt guilty, because I was always catching heck and all they could do was watch. I think that’s more damaging than being the one getting it.

    When I think of these things, my best coping skill is to take a nap. I also listen to a lot of meditation music to keep my anxiety level down. I actually spend a lot of time in quiet meditation. It could be to the point of an obsession or addiction. I can’t not listen to it, when I’m in my bedroom all by myself.

    When I’m in my bedroom by myself, with nothing to worry about, I lay in my bed, listen to Mei LAN and daydream about how I would like my life to be. I mean, I hold nothing back. I daydream about winning $186 million dollars in a lawsuit against all the companies I called when I was looking for help with my devices. I daydream about who I’m going to help when I win this lawsuit. I think about changes I want to make in my life with this money.

    I want to help people. I know far too many homeless people, just right here, right in the state of Minnesota. I would do anything I could to help that situation out. These people that are homeless are mainly veterans and people with mental illness. Another good percentage goes to drug addiction. But a number of people are working and still can’t afford a place to live. I would help that somehow. I would actually put up hotels for the homeless just like they did the migrants. I would probably help them find jobs, if they don’t have one. And I would somehow help people get clean from drugs, somehow.

    I just believe people need a hand up, and nobody is helping them with that one step. Man, if I had money now I’d be helping. Somehow.

  • Istockphoto.com

    Like I said in a previous post, God wants us to do everything out of love.

    The more turbulent my life has been the more I have still been holding on to the greatest commandment God has given us.

    I don’t hold grudges. Not for very long. It may take me a long time to think through things, but I always come back in the end.

    I don’t think that’s happening this time. I can wish people well from a distance. And I can still pray for them. Or even pray for all of us to have an open mind and heart. But I’m not holding on to something or someone that does not see my worth.

    I’m tired of the bickering back and forth. And then the silent treatment. People use this as a form of punishment for me, because they know it really hurts me. But it’s hard to have hurt feelings over people you realized were never really your friend to begin with. The only reason people were being nice to me is they thought it would give them something. But when I didn’t reciprocate what they hoped for, they all vanished.

    But I will say it again. I am fifty-five (55) years old. I don’t have time for all the weird drama. I prefer the silent treatment. It makes my life easier. I don’t have to worry about confrontation. Though I’m usually the first one to bring it up, not this time. I’ve tried reaching out to people and all I get is silence, so let it be.

    On the other end of the spectrum, I have been hanging out with an old, but new friend. We’ve known each other for a few years and he has asked me out on a some dates a few times in the past, but now that I’m not so preoccupied I’ve got more time for him, and it’s been pleasant. No drama. And like I’ve said before, God will close one door and open another.

    Love is more than just words to me. Saying “I love you” is easy. A person’s actions prove how they really feel. I’ll use this last relationship I was in as an example. He knew all the right words to say, but his actions did not match his words. He’d say he misses me, then when I come over he invites a crowd. He knows how I feel about crowds. But still, there was always a crowd of people. We never had opportunities to be alone. This told me a lot about the kind of person I was dealing with. This person doesn’t like to be alone. This person holds partying above a relationship. And that’s all cool. It’s just not for me. I’ll just end this topic by saying priorities.

    I care an awful lot about people. I’m good at being a distant friend or acquaintance. As far as my close friends, I know they’re a great support for me. And I try to be for them as well.

    My number one (1) love language is giving. I love to give things to people. That’s my way of saying I care. I may not always get the right words out, but I do mean well by everybody. I hold no grudges. And if I’ve got something to give I will do it. Whether it’s an actual gift or just my time. I do know that I am a giver. Sometimes it’s to my detriment. Which is not such a good thing. I’ve given everything I’ve had away, and now I have nothing. But that’s not going to stop me from giving. Because I do it with love.

  • Cyng: Thus is me

    Yes. I’ve been talking on this topic a lot. Either I’m still traumatized from when I was on meth, or these people are actually wishing me ill, all together. Because I believe in that stuff.

    I never used to. Until that two (2) year binge on meth. Now, everything and everybody is a constant reminder in some way. I get triggered very easily. Especially in the area of s*x. Every touch, feels like that person. Thank God I am out of that mess. If things would have continued the way they were I was either going to be dead, imprisoned or institutionalized in some way. I thank God every day for the intervention.

    I know I saw evil when I was on that stuff. I also saw heaven. Or Jesus in heaven. He told me, “Just hang tight. You will receive yours”.

    I sold my soul to the devil back then. When I was on meth. I knew I had done something disastrously wrong. So I prayed to God and the devil to take my soul in place of someone else’s.

    But I’ve still been in the battle. I like to say that I did take a vacation sometimes. But for the most part my mind has been very active.

    Like, right now. I’m thinking, but the words won’t come out onto paper.

    My own mind is a constant battle every day. I think it’s the Aquarius ♒️ in me. I gotta think shit through. And then I gotta think about it some more. Before I finally make a decision.

    The sad part about it is, when these people are proven wrong they won’t even admit it. Or acknowledge it. Sounds like the Democratic Party 😂😁

    I remember back when I first got clean, I was a wreck for a very long time. Things have slowly gotten better, but there is still some work that needs to be done.

    I don’t mind being alone. I do my best healing alone. My best self-care, alone. I’ve got my family and a few close friends that I consider a good support system. I couldn’t be happier. Back when I was on that garbage I had nobody. Everybody abandoned me. Left me to the wolves. I didn’t know or understand what was going on. I experienced some really crazy stuff, a lot too embarrassing to put on paper.

  • 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 NIV Quotes Creator

    This sounds like a simple verse, but the truth of it is, it’s hard to remember when you’re in amongst the waves, being tossed and thrown among the tide. Do everything in love. That’s a pretty important piece to remember.

    I’ve been feeling an awful lot of rejection lately. But it’s not so bad that I’m going to have a meltdown. It’s just a nagging jab on my shoulder. I know why I’m feeling this way, and I also know that there are probably a couple handfuls now of people who dislike me. Kinda reminds me of when I was on meth and thought I was being bullied online by the tarot readers on YouTube.🤔 I’ve always got a lot of haters. And the only thing I can point it to is jealousy. About what I don’t know. But, my mother admitted to being jealous of me at one point in my life. Actually, a couple of times.

    It took me eight (8) months in treatment to rid my body of those evil toxins. It took me five (5) years to feel more like myself again. I went to treatment in May 2020 and spent eight (8) months jumping around until I finally graduated an outpatient program. And I don’t plan on going back.

    I guess the reason I am bringing this up is because when I got out of treatment I spent close to five (5) years reliving the trauma I endured while on meth for those two (2) years. The people who hurt me and took advantage of me are hard to erase. I didn’t know what was real and what was not for a very long time. I don’t think I’ll actually, fully heal from the abuse, because I still struggle with trusting people. Men more so than women. But I do trust God.

    God is rearranging my life. Without a choice in it. He has removed several people from my life and I believe it was intentional. Either because I wasn’t serving him or working on my life’s purpose, or he has somebody/something new in store for me. I was screwing off. Being lazy. Not on guard. Not serving God. Being too worldly.

    I need to be the example, not the crowd pleaser. And for that reason, I believe God has put me in the wilderness. To prove that all I need is Him.

  • Cyng

    I’ve been finding myself doing the oddest things lately. Actually, this past week. I just have not been myself. Well, what I should say is I’ve been praying…. A lot. I’ve got so much going on in my life right now that I’m actually petrified. And I know it has to do with me being in a vulnerable state right now.

    Fear is a Liar – Zach Williams

    When I get scared I listen to this song. It gives me courage, faith and hope. I know that a lot of my perception is my disability. But I also know that some of the greatest minds came from the weakest moments.

    I’m not afraid to say I’ve been through a lot. Maybe not as much as others, but just enough to traumatize me. Trauma is not about big or small. It’s about what it made you feel. Inwardly and outwardly. As well as emotionally.

    I’ve learned a lot about trauma in the past seven (7) years. More closely five (5). They only differ in the gap because I was dealing with it without knowing what it was.

    Deep down I know that everybody is struggling. Some people just refuse to admit it. And that’s okay too.

    Sometimes I listen to the same meditation music over and over. And sometimes that’s not always so good. Because music, no matter what genre, is teaching us something. And some, if over listened, can almost damage a person’s progress.

  • Psalm 37:4 NIV

    I like to believe in this. If you just trust God everything you need and desire will be given to you. Only if you take delight in the Lord. You can’t try doing things on your own. You will always fail. But if you have God on your side you can move mountains with just a mustard seed of faith. God has said this very clearly. FAITH. Everything is in faith.

    I personally do not have time to wish a person’s life away. I know there are people out there that really despise me and I could care less. These people aren’t thriving. These people aren’t growing. These people are trying to therapize themselves and as much as I hate to chuckle, they don’t have the experience or credentials. to do it. If they can’t figure themselves out yet, how are they going to figure anybody else out? People won’t go deep until they’re forced.

    I am happy where I am at today. I know that pisses people off to hear. But I am. And I’m learning there are others out there that are not “toxic”. I seriously didn’t realize I was surrounding myself with toxic people. I’ve gone round and round with my therapist about this and she tells me I’m hanging around toxic people.

    Well, who’s not toxic?

    Toxic is anything you want it to be. Anything you want it to say. People are just people. And everybody’s idea of toxic is not the same. Why? Because everybody grew up different. If I didn’t grow up like you, then you think your growing up was better than mine (probably the case, but just for argument). I don’t understand why people just can’t get along. Isn’t this world called earth hard enough?

  • Cyng

    Is this love that I’m feeling? I truly don’t know how it feels to love anybody but my immediate family. So, to say I think I’m in love is a crazy statement. This person has been in front of my face the whole time and I never took notice before. We’ve spent some time together in the past, but I was always too preoccupied.

    But now that I have all these “haters” I’ve been paying more attention. And perhaps this is a God thing. Maybe it took removing all these people from my life so I could open my eyes to what’s possible. I honestly don’t know, but I hope he has some kind of feelings for me too.

    I enjoy the time I spend with him. He seems so easy going. And doesn’t get rattled like I get rattled. He’s not a big drinker, so that’s a plus. Nor does he do any drugs. Even a bigger plus. I’m hoping to spend more time with him, but I’m not going to push it. I’ll let him lead and I’ll just follow along.

    I do daydream a lot, about who my “forever” is going to be. Could it be somebody I never took notice of before? He’s got my attention. And that’s something I don’t normally pay attention to.

  • Cyng: Quotes Creator

    I have got so many changes going on right now and I’m wondering, “Why? Why do we have to change everything all at one time?”

    I’m switching clients at work. I’m moving into my own place. And I’ve lost all of my friends…. Well, not all of them. Only the sensitive ones I guess.

    But truth be told, I’m nervous about all of this. I don’t understand why God is moving me in this direction? Well, wait, I guess I do know why. Because I have been stagnant. And God knows there’s something more I should be doing. So, I’m going with it.

    I had to switch clients, because I don’t do well with afternoon shifts. I can start as early in the morning as a person wants, but if I’m not at work before 12pm I have too much time to think about work, get anxious then end up not going. I’d rather start in the morning, when I don’t have time to think about work before I get there.

    And I wouldn’t be switching clients at all if my original client would just give me mornings back. But I feel like she’s been punishing me ever since I went to go work for my son-in-laws grandmother. She did offer me mornings about a week ago, then for some reason changed her mind. My guess is it’s because she picked a current employee’s son for that position instead. But I just can’t make afternoons work for myself. So that’s why I’m switching clients.

    I’ve already gotten a feel of the responsible party that I’m working with and I already feel this is going to be a challenge. This person has zero empathy for my nerves. I already got yelled at a couple of times. One for contacting the company, which, I did not understand. I always call the company. I don’t understand why now I’m not allowed to.

    Second, I put in the wrong password too many times and ended up locking myself out. I was well aware of this. But I still got yelled at. Time will tell.

    I sent a text message to my new landlord to be, just asking if it was too late to change my mind about the apartment. Not that I have, but would still like to know if that’s an option, before I move in. It doesn’t hurt to ask.

  • Cyng: Quotes Creator

    I get myself into some terrible messes quite often. I’m not sure how I do it. I’m not sure why I attract the people I do, male or female. I try to just be myself. Regardless of the anxiety. But then, somebody wants to be my friend, until my mouth makes a mess.

    I don’t know how I do it, but I do it. And the thing of it is, I’m really not the one doing it. But I take the blame. For everybody’s messed up life. Somehow, their unhappiness is all my fault. I let them stew in it, about me of course.

    This is what I know: I’ve been through more therapy than any of these ***** have been in. I’m not on the same level as they are. These people let words control their feelings. And it doesn’t matter who I’m talking to. I’m hurting feelings. Because I tell the truth. I am an outsider, looking in, and from my observations I see things differently. Most people don’t want to know though. They’d rather live in their bubble of illusion. Not my monkeys, not my circus.

    People think I’m a really weak person. Both physically and emotionally. But the truth is I believe I’m stronger than most people. I don’t have feelings like I used to. It’s probably been five (5) or seven (7) years since I’ve had an actual feeling, that didn’t include my mental state.

    I care about people deeply. But I’ve also lost all confidence in people. So, even though I care about somebody doesn’t mean I have those actual feelings.

    My therapist explained it to me today. She explained the different stages of growth. I believe I am dealing with a bunch of people who are not growing or are not acknowledging that they need to grow. People may think I’m arrogant about this, but that’s not the case. You can call it whatever you want. But I know people. I can see right through them as soon as they open their mouth. Even if they’re quiet that still tells me something about them. And I also know people despise me because I am so observant. I may not be as observant when it comes to a mess in the house, but I am incredibly observant of people. It doesn’t take much to tell me something about someone. I honestly do not like that I can read people so well. That’s why I take my medication. It drowns out my sixth sense.

    I think, scientifically, this sixth sense is a trauma response. Always watching/looking/listening for danger. Don’t have feelings. Feelings are bad. It’s just been imbedded in me through years of conditioning.

  • Cyng:Quotes Creator

    Do you ever talk with people and find out their values or morals really aren’t the same as yours? How do you handle that?

    I’ll be honest, I struggle with this myself. I want to please everybody, but I want to be honest at the same time. And sometimes that just does not work. It’s not like I want to be out hurting feelings. But somehow I always manage to do it. I’m too blunt, not very choosy of my words. Until it’s too late. Then I gotta slap my self in the face and shake my head. Because it doesn’t matter what it is about, I’m always the odd ball.

    I am an over texter as well. I panic when I don’t get a response right away. That is something else I don’t know how to quit. I can’t help it. I get worried and that causes anxiety. But I also know that people are really good at giving me the silent treatment when they’re mad or upset. But they don’t want to talk about it. Or they do want to talk about it, but out in a way that leaves me feeling bad. So, I end up changing my mind because I don’t want to hurt anybody’s feelings. It’s a vicious cycle.

    I also over text in disagreements. I admit I’m usually the one that starts them. Sometimes it takes me a few days to determine exactly what my problem is. And I text while I’m thinking. Not such a smart thing either. But I’m terrible at confrontation. I normally end up tongue tied and forget exactly what it is I’m trying to relay. So, because of my people pleasing personality, whatever was bothering me before, suddenly becomes no big deal now. And what truly was bothering me gets swept under the rug.

    I can count on one (1) hand how many people hold hostility against me. And there’s really nothing I can do about it. I told them the truth, whether it hurt or not, and of course, instead of holding the person I complained about accountable, somehow I get blamed. It’s a sure shit show.

    But back to this silent treatment game: I know far too many people that play that. And people know how it makes me feel. That’s why they do it. It’s like living with my mother all over again. Yes, you could say it’s a trigger.

  • Chat GPT

    I know I’m letting the cat out of the bag, but this is my next tattoo. I’ve already got part of it. I just need the person to put it together.

    I had an appointment today for it. I won’t say where. It’s the same place I usually go. But something didn’t seem right today. I had to reschedule it.

    Something was triggering about it. Maybe it was the person I was talking to. As well as he being the person that was going to do it. Something, just didn’t feel right.

    I ended up rescheduling the appointment. I didn’t know what else to do. The day seemed totally off. something wasn’t right. I could speak with an open mind, but I’d rather people asked. Cause I tend to keep a lot of stuff to myself. Because, like said, I know I piss people off. And how can you please people all at once? That’s what I’m trying to figure out.

  • Cyng: Quotes Creator

    It’s 6am, I’ve been awake since 5am. My mind is constantly rolling over all these decisions I have to make about work and a home. I’ve been offered an apartment. Talk about the wrong timing for that. But I have to move on. Both at home and the job. It’s just scary how it’s all happening at once. And it’s making me fearful that I will mess something up.

    Faith. That’s what I need to look for, it’s my faith. I’ve done this before, I can do it again. It’s just that my life has been so safe and balanced and comfortable. Maybe even lazy. But I’ve had five (5) years to stabilize and I’m feeling pretty confident in that.

    I have a little bit of money saved, that will have to be my cushion in case something comes up.

    My job, I’m choosing to switch families. My mental health is only capable of mornings. I think I have proven that time and time again. But my current client chose somebody else for mornings, after offering them to me, she took it back. I have my guess as to why, but I won’t say it on here.

    Long story short, everything is changing. My home, my job, my friends. God is moving me, yes he is.

    Today is my first DBT class. I will try to get on here and tell you what it’s all about.

    Everybody have a wonderful day.