Healing Trauma

22/07/2025

Do we hide from ourselves?

Absolutely. And often, it starts before we even know we’re doing it.

When our feelings, needs, or desires were shamed or punished as kids, we learned: this part of me isn’t safe. So we buried it. We worked harder. Stayed busy. Said “I’m fine” while feeling off inside. It was protective—but also disconnecting.

In Internal Family Systems, these buried parts are called “exiles.”

Tara Brach calls it the “trance of unworthiness.”
Whatever the name, the result is the same:
We feel cut off from our full selves.

But the good news?
Healing starts when we slow down, listen in, and say:
“Yes, I feel this. And it’s okay to feel it.”

Question for you:
What helps you reconnect with a part of yourself you once pushed away?

Share in the comments—I’d love to hear.

15/07/2025

Why do people hide who they are?

Often, it’s not about deception—it’s about protection. If you grew up in an environment where your emotions were unwelcome or unsafe, you likely learned to perform, please, or go numb. That’s not weakness—it’s intelligence. Your nervous system did what it had to do to survive.

But over time, what once protected you can become what limits you.

Many high-functioning, “put-together” people I work with aren’t living as themselves. They’re living as who they thought they needed to be—years ago. True authenticity doesn’t begin with a dramatic reveal. It starts quietly, with the courage to notice your own truth.

To ask: What do I actually feel?
What do I truly need?

It’s hard work, but it’s sacred work.

Question for you:
What helped you start showing up more fully as yourself?
Share below—I’d love to hear.

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11/07/2025

Burnout Might Be a Sign You’re Saying “Yes” Too Often

When we override our limits, we don’t just get tired—we lose ourselves.

In her newest Psychology Today article, Dr. Susanne Babbel explores a powerful truth: burnout often begins as self-abandonment. We say yes out of fear or guilt. We smile when we want to cry. We push past our own needs—until we’re running on empty.

These symptoms—tense shoulders, trouble sleeping, irritability, guilt—aren’t just stress. They’re messages from within, calling us back to ourselves.

Burnout doesn’t only come from doing too much. It often comes from not honoring our own needs. Not listening to the body. Not trusting what we feel.

So what’s the path back?

Boundaries.

Boundaries aren’t walls. They’re bridges—to truth, clarity, and self-respect. They help us pause before saying yes. They teach us to choose rest over resentment. They let us stay connected to others without disconnecting from ourselves.

Even discomfort can be a sign you’re growing back into who you are.

The full article is linked in bio.

What’s one boundary you wish you could set—but haven’t yet?
Comment below or message me—I’d love to hear from you.

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24/06/2025

True authenticity isn’t about saying the “right” thing or showing up the “right” way.

It’s about being in honest relationship with yourself—your needs, your feelings, your body’s signals.

In my recent podcast interview with The Rational Egoist, I spoke with Michael Liebowitz about trauma, somatic healing, and what it really means to be authentic.

You can listen to the interview on Spotify, link in bio.

22/06/2025

Have you ever said yes to something—even though your body is saying no?
So many of us override our inner signals out of habit, stress, or the need to please others.
In my new article for Psychology Today, I explore why this happens and how we can begin to reconnect with our true boundaries.
I’d love to hear your thoughts—have you experienced this?
Read here: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/somatic-psychology/202506/when-you-say-yes-but-need-to-say-no

Burnout isn’t just exhaustion—it’s a sign you’re neglecting your own needs. Learn how setting boundaries can help you reconnect with yourself and regain your energy.

10/06/2025

Disconnection is often misunderstood. It isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s how the nervous system protects us in moments of overwhelm.
What once served you for survival doesn't have to shape your future. Healing begins with understanding, not judgment.

07/06/2025

Your inner voice shapes how you feel, how you heal, and how you grow.
Instead of criticism, what happens when you offer yourself compassion?
Try speaking to yourself the way you would to someone you love — and notice what shifts.

01/06/2025

Take one minute to connect to yourself by…
turning toward the light, like the sunflower does.
Notice what feels warm.
Let it touch your face, your heart, your breath.
Even one moment of light is enough. 🌻☀️

01/06/2025

Take one minute to connect to yourself by…
feeling your feet on the ground.
Imagine the roots beneath you—deep, steady, ancient.
Breathe that into your body.
You don’t need to be anywhere else. 🌿🍇

31/05/2025

Take one minute today to look at something beautiful.
Let your eyes rest on color, light, texture—whatever draws you in.
Let it soften your breath and open your heart. 💙🏠✨

22/01/2025

Trauma, Recovery, and the Los Angeles Fires: Rebuilding Hope 🌟

The recent wildfires in Los Angeles have caused devastating losses for so many in our community—homes, memories, and even a sense of safety. But recovery isn’t just about rebuilding structures; it’s about restoring emotional balance, reconnecting with our bodies, and leaning on each other for support.

In my latest article, I share insights about trauma, the vital role of community in healing, and practical ways to help the nervous system recover. Whether you or someone you know is affected, I hope this provides guidance and hope during these challenging times.

💛 Together, we can rebuild not only homes but also hope and resilience.
Read the full article called "Healing From the Flames: Rebuilding Hope and Recovery After Fire" here: https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/somatic-psychology/202501/healing-from-the-flames-rebuilding-hope-and-recovery-after-fire

The wildfires have left devastation in their wake. But recovery goes beyond rebuilding homes. Explore how community, compassion, and trauma-informed tools can rebuild hope.