As a survivor of complex childhood trauma, I don’t know much about life without trauma besides that “it must be awesome!” To be completely honest, I feel like I know trauma, and then there’s life after trauma. But one thing I can tell you for sure: Life after trauma is incredible IF you take care of yourself. You can experience love, joy, happiness, fulfillment, deep, honest, healthy relationships, and all that jazz, but only if and when you care for yourself.
You see, I believe survivors are more than capable of living a happy and fulfilled life, as they should; after all we have been through. But I can’t ignore the effects that trauma had on us. We come with a foundation that needs loads of love, compassion, and care, so we can not ignore that when it comes to living our best lives, it is simply impossible to live a happy and fulfilled life without taking care of ourselves. Let's dive a bit deeper.
Here are the three reasons why you should take self-care seriously as a survivor:
Regain control over your life:
Because you experienced trauma, it is only natural to have that feeling of a profound loss of control over your circumstances. And when you prioritize self-care, you empower yourself and choose to regain that control.
By making conscious decisions about your well-being, you are actively shaping the direction of your life.
In this case, self-care is a powerful tool for rebuilding your life on your own terms!
Emotional recovery, balance, and regulation:
We know this better than anyone: traumatic experiences can disrupt emotional well-being, which leads to a range of intense and sometimes overwhelming emotions. When you engage in self-care practices, you are making a deliberate effort to restore your emotional balance and regulation.
In the process, you address your emotional needs and create a foundation for healing, processing, and managing your emotions more effectively. And this will help you reclaim a sense of inner peace and stability.
Break the cycle:
Trauma often perpetuates negative cycles that can impact various aspects of life, from relationships to personal habits. When you prioritize self-care, you consciously break away from these destructive patterns.
Whether you decide to seek professional help, engage in positive coping mechanisms, or make intentional lifestyle changes, you are actively working towards creating a different narrative for yourself.
Breaking the cycle is about acknowledging the impact of the past while actively shaping a more positive and empowered future, and that's exactly what you're doing when you decide to take care of yourself.
As you can see, integrating self-care into your life is not just a response to past trauma; it is a proactive investment in your well-being. By regaining control over your life, achieving emotional balance, and breaking destructive cycles, you create the foundation for sustained happiness and a sense of fulfillment in the present and the future.
The best part is that this investment will not only impact you but also those around you, resulting in more profound and healthy relationships.
We all win when you take care of yourself!
Now you know the 3 reasons why you should take self-care seriously. Would you like me to give you 50 Self-care Ideas for Survivors, so you can start applying what you just learned?
Say no more, just click here to download! No registration is needed, it is my gift to you.
Enjoy taking care of yourself, beautiful soul.
Love and light,
Erika.
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