01/12/2025
When the trauma cycle gets to complete... WOW
When we are in, what is perceived as, a life threatening situation, the nervous system does what it can to protect us. FREEZE is a very natural response inbuilt to our systems to protect us from the pain of what is to come. This response requires a completion, a literal shaking off of the energy...
Imagine hitting the accelerator, pedal to the floor, AND simultaneously slamming on the breaks...
When we have a freeze response (no matter if the threat was 'real'o or not) and do not complete it - which happens often - it is like the above acceleration example. A tornado of energy gets to spinning in the nervous system. And IT. STAYS. THERE.
Until it is released, that is. And the wonderful thing is that the story isn't actually required for that to happen.
In my case today, I was triggered, and the fear response was fully activated and I didn't shut it down, I went in, and the body shakes came on their own. I didn't try to understand them or make sense of it in the moment. I just allowed it all to happen. I cried, panicked, shook, stammered, all of it.
This isn't really about teaching something or preaching something you should do more or less. It's just a sharing in the hopes it's helpful.
For so long, I've been in a loop of unfeeling and numbness. I know what it is like to feel disconnected from everything, including oneself. So, in these moments of 'breakthrough', I will endeavour to share if it feels correct. And this time, it did.
If you want to know more about this stance on trauma, check out the work of Peter Levine. Highly insightful and offers hope to those who've done all the talking and yet still remain 'caught' in the grips of anxiety, depression, etc.
Lots of love ❤️
