Healing
- Blackwomananonymous
- Feb 28, 2019
- 2 min read
We all have suffered in life. Some suffering greater than others. Pain through heartbreak, grief, loss, abuse, neglect etc. Healing has become secondary as a priority for whatever reasons. Lack of resources, skills, support or due to stigmas, stereotypes, fear, guilt, denial, hopelessness or shame. People drift through life constantly worried, enraged, anxious, depressed or stagnant. Sitting in trauma and emotional torment. Coping with alcohol, drugs, other addictions or risky behaviors.
For some, it's easier to mask emotion. For others, natural to try and block pain from our memory (the brains normal response to trauma). But avoidance leads to more serious mental and physical suffering. Unresolved pain shows up in relationships, friendships, careers or manifests in our bodies physically (headaches, stomach aches, nausea, chronic illness or pain). Trauma weighs us down. Not only affecting us, but others in our life as well. Intentionally or unintentionally. "We repeat what we don't repair."
I'm not here to minimize or judge anyone's pain or the severity of it. I am here to tell you, healing is possible, if you do the work. & the work ain't easy. The thought of moving from your "norm" into a world of unfamiliarity-no matter what the benefits may be, is scary. Yet, the most rewarding thing you'll ever do for yourself. It is transforming. It's life changing.
The journey of healing encompasses a multitude of things. Below are 5 key components. Not in any particular order and can be a starting point.
1. Allow yourself to feel emotions. Anger can sometimes be the first emotion to present when someone has been hurt. Try to get to the primary emotion, name it, feel it. CRY if you need to.
2. Develop healthy coping skills. Writing, exercise, yoga, mindfulness, spend time with family, travel, take a break. Do whatever you need to recharge or relax.
3. Speak your truth. Sometimes you have to speak your pain & it may take time before you can do this. That's okay. Say it out loud to yourself, to someone you can truly trust (family, friend, therapist) or write it down. Journaling can be therapeutic & your writings can be discarded afterwards. The purpose is to get our thoughts out.
4. Lean on your support. I hope you have someone in your life you can trust to talk to about your feelings or lean on during tough times. But not everyone does. If you don't...
5. Seek professional help. I recognize there are barriers to treatment (finances, transportation, lack of insurance). But if possible, it is healthy and may be necessary to see a professional to help you through the process. It may be what you need in order to make the progress you desire. Therapy is confidential. Depending on where you live, there is public transportation or Therapists/Behavioral Health Facilities who accept under/uninsured or provide services based on a sliding scale. If you're insured- check with your insurance provider. Therapy may be covered completely or offered with a limited amount of sessions.
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