But this quote helps.
”Trauma creates change you don’t choose. Healing is about creating change you do choose.“
-Michele Rosenthal
As a mom and wife, facilitating individual change creation for healing after the school shooting and murder…
That each of us in our family needs to individually choose…
It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done.
And it affects every single part of how I show up in my life, work, and business.
I’ll never fully understand the weight of being there that day. I can only aspire to continually empathize.
Each day presents a different challenge to address as healing unfolds.
PTSD and trauma are sneaky that way.
They are our enduring realities.
I am grateful for the means to obtain alternative healing modalities and professional mental health resources to navigate this aftermath.
Every trauma survivor deserves this fighting chance.
And I’m grateful that people reach out to us directly with expressions of compassion and concern...
Rather than inquire about us through through others.
It’s ok to say:
“I have no idea what to say. And I’m holding space with you by your side.”
That’s what was the most helpful to hear, for me.
What was the most UN-helpful?
When people would say nothing…
And inquire about us and our details through second and third-hand parties.
Just my two cents…
In case you find yourself in the same situation.
For me, it works to share the above communication boundaries with people.
So they know how to support us.
Perhaps this may work for you, too, if you experience a traumatic event.
I pray you never need to find out.
And for our closest family and friends, that already reach out to us and care for us on an ongoing basis...
I choose to not hide or ask them for privacy.
I just ask for the chance to process this on an ongoing basis…
Directly with each of them.
All of this helps me to lean in and process the resulting trauma and PTSD with my family in a healthy, sustainable way.
Healing is a journey, not a destination.
I’m curious to learn...
How have you learned to find healing in the aftermath of change that trauma brings?
#MentalHealthAwarenessMonth