12. WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT

I know I've talked a lot about trauma on my blog and podcast. So the million dollar question here is, what exactly IS trauma? By definition, trauma is a long-lasting emotional response to a tragedy in your life. It can either be a single terrible event, or a series of multiple events. Certain triggers can cause flashbacks, anxiety, anger, or depression. It may even cause physical symptoms that can include nausea, headaches, and body aches. Sometimes, even when you think you've moved on, something could happen and bring you back to the same dark place you were in many years before. It creeps up on you without warning. It haunts you in your silent thoughts. It numbs you and tears you apart, inside and out. Trauma looks different on everyone. No one has the same story, and no one reacts or responds to tragedy in the same way.

A lot of my focus on this blog stems from my traumatic childhood experiences. There are times I look back at my life and wonder if I'm being too dramatic about everything. I mean sure, I had a Monster-Mom, but I came out pretty lucky. I don't have permanent physical scars. I was never raped, or sexually abused. I was fed and clothed with a roof over my head. And then I hear stories from friends, and acquaintances, or just general people around me, and I listen to their heartbreaking life events. Then I start to feel embarrassed about my own story and I think to myself - I really don't deserve to complain. There are people out there whose experiences are a million times worse than mine. I start to feel so helpless, and I desperately want to help so much. That's why I started this blog.

Trauma can be so hard to talk about. Once you open up and let out your demons, it's hard to put them back in. It's out there in the world now, available for everyone to judge and pick apart. When you want so desperately to move on from all the pain and the heartache, you just want to numb and stop thinking about it. Avoidance. But here's the thing, avoiding it doesn't make it go away. Numbing is only a temporary relief. Facing it head on and talking about it helps though. Finding the right people in your life, or support group, helps.

Whatever it is you are going through, whatever your story is, it matters. Even when you think it's insignificant, or not a big deal compared to someone else's experience. It still matters. You matter. Your mental health matters. Your life matters. No one's experiences are worse or better than anyone else's. Trauma is trauma. There is no comparing with anyone else. It just is. Your experiences shape you. It makes you beautiful, strong and courageous. No one can take that away from you. You are a warrior and a survivor.

I am not qualified to give any professional advice. All I can do is share in your pain and listen to you. Empathize and support you. Healing is a lifelong journey, and trust me, it's much easier taking the journey with someone beside you, than going at it alone. My blog is a safe place and a judgement free zone. I know it's not easy to share your story, especially if you've been locking it away somewhere deep inside of you for so long. If you are willing to talk about it with me, I will be with you till the end. Please either leave a comment or note in my blog post or forum. Or send me an email via my contact page here. You can use an alias, or fake name to remain anonymous if you wish. I can understand and respect the need for privacy and confidentiality. I just want to help. And you deserve to have someone by your side that believes in you wholeheartedly. Stay strong my lovelies. <3