Myths to Reconsider
Life sometimes throws us a bunch of lemons. Look more closely*, and you might discover there’s more to the story. Here are some myths about trauma that I hear regularly:
I SHOULD HAVE DONE BETTER at Protecting Myself
//When my older relative/friend/neighbor sexually abused me, I didn’t even try fighting back. // Under threat, your body decides for you in a split second, not your head. And the automatic fight-flight response has a cousin: freeze. When fighting or running away isn’t even possible, our default is to conserve energy by not moving. That might have been the safest thing to do at the time.
IF ONLY I Could Remember What Happened, Then I Could Fix It
//I’m plagued by mental fogginess, feels like there should be an explanation but just can’t access those childhood memories.// When we’re working to resolve disconnect in the body’s systems, having a story can be handy, but it’s not necessary. As we each have many stories in life’s layers, one may pop up that can “speak to” the disconnect at a biological level. Your pre-verbal memories (pre-natal and infant) are sensory and movement ONLY, usually with no story in words, so we can best explore using sensory and movement. (By the way, if you’re aiming to “fix” yourself, then I am not your gal!)
I Must FIGURE IT OUT Myself: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Cure
//So far none of 17 health practitioners could help me: here is exactly what I need you to do.// Thanks for this information. What has helped so far? What doesn’t help? How does your body let you know what you need/ what’s enough/ not enough? Let’s see if there’s a way to invite that. Healing is non-linear process.
To Heal, I Must Re-Experience My Worst Trauma
//I’m ever so scared, don’t make me go there.// We will not! Sensing a bit of safety is first. We can begin with what’s present in the moment, toward developing capacity. Gradually, when your system can tolerate more charge, we can explore what’s difficult, but we’ll always go with what is okay enough right now.
These are actually LIMES gifted by a generous friend! The joys of living in Southern California where citrus fruits can flourish in your backyard, with a little added water. With such a bounty, I experimented with slicing & dehydrating some, but most were juiced for the freezer. Yum!
