Anyone actively working on processing past traumas ?

[Joey Bones]

I've been Journaling past painful experiences as they come up the last few days. Try to sit with them. Try to look at myself compassionately and without judgement them thank my mind and let it go. To say it's painful and difficult would be an under statement. Anyone else ?

Thank You

 

[Sues]

Yes, I do this all of the time. I write to "get it out" and it helps, but it's so difficult to go through. Often new memories come up and it's a struggle.

 

[Joey Bones]

Yes, I do this all of the time. I write to "get it out" and it helps, but it's so difficult to go through. Often new memories come up and it's a struggle.

Thank you for the response Sues. I've been keeping my journal close to me lately. Sometimes it seems to take all the effort I have just to pick it up when I'm reliving something but hopefully this is all worth it.

 

[emnchopma]

I also do this. I write them out as the memories pop up. I found it easier to type them out on a PowerPoint presentation. That way I could add slides in between other slides. I have a really hard time grasping the timeline of my traumas that occurred over many years. So the ability to set them and order them as my own life narrative was helpful. I don’t know if that makes sense to anyone else. I noticed when writing it out on paper it frustrated me when I forgot that something else had occurred in between events that I had written on back to back pages. I guess it might not really matter what order they are in but I believe it helps my mind wrap itself around things better. Also to add, it is very emotionally taxing when I am writing them down. The fear almost feels like it is choking me and I can’t breathe. The memory almost feels like I am reliving it again. But when I use my grounding techniques and take deep breaths I can get through it. And when I am done, it does feel better to have it written down and out of my head. I hope your efforts help you as well.

 

[Friday]

Not at the moment. I have life stuff going on which needs sorting.

It’s one of those quirky things… either life needs to be so good, that processing doesn’t f*ck it up, or so bad there’s nothing to f*ck up. Anything in between? Bad juju.

My life could deeeefinitely be worse. As I’m only homeless, jobless, & sick as hell. But still surviving. Still stubborn as f*ck. Still trying to make it out of this hard patch. Processing trauma, right now? Would probably kill me. I have too many things that need immediate consideration. However, if things got worse? Not by much, but enough… I could probably process years to mad benefit.

Teetering on a knife’s edge? I’m still trying to land on the better side. Until then? Things have to get better to be able to absorb those blows. Or worse. To not mind them.

 

[Anita]

I've been Journaling past painful experiences as they come up the last few days. Try to sit with them. Try to look at myself compassionately and without judgement them thank my mind and let it go. To say it's painful and difficult would be an under statement. Anyone else ?

Thank You

My therapist wanted me to write a letter to my cousin without sending it, we were to go over the letter, did not want to do it canceled appointment, I don’t want to write my cousin a letter, she does not deserve my time, she abandoned me, then hunted me down by calling my work and threatening to call police, yet I spoke with her when her mother died and she did not even invite me to the dinner she had in her honor, I don’t want to write, why should I from the abandoning me when I needed help .

 

[Susan Jane]

I've been Journaling past painful experiences as they come up the last few days. Try to sit with them. Try to look at myself compassionately and without judgement them thank my mind and let it go. To say it's painful and difficult would be an under statement. Anyone else ?

Thank You

Yes I am, with a therapist I trust and hypnoses. I remember some of the trauma anchored to my PTSD but I cannot feel them, only fear. This half conscious method with a safe place brings them up and I can finally feel them. That said he has been my therapist for 4 years, he knows my life and I trust him completely.

 

[Skye.C]

For me, it is an ever cycling occurrence to write it out and sit with it. It has literally saved me.
Nowadays, (I've journaled "forever"), it comes as a memory or feeling, other times a dream. I don't always know what words will come out to express it, but I allow it to come either way. I've been through them many times, even from different angles, and it shaped a style of writing for me, that really helps me. Have you found a way to allow it to come, that feels safe for you?

Sometimes, my words form poetry, other times it is a letter forming or a description of a glimpse on the memory lane. Depending on the flavor of the trauma popping up, obviously. Journaling to get it out of my system is my only way. Then to sit with it without a need to go anywhere else, is a fantastic opportunity while exposing it. Sometimes all I wanted was to stop, and run; blink and forget, but if working through to a healthy habit of journaling, you might be really helped by it. Fundamentally.

The strength you have in those moments might be lost to you in those moments, but will sustain you and build your foundation of healing.

I'm glad you found it, and that you're keeping on doing it

ღ

Skye

 

[DSkyler]

I’m actively reprocessing having gone back to EMDR therapy after a gap of some 17 years. I’m lucky to have found a therapist who offered intensives and who I felt could accompany me through the deep terror and help me piece together the pre-verbal trauma. Going well so far.

I agree that compassion for oneself is important. Heartbreaking to have to go through, but being kind and calm for yourself is a lovely thing to try to keep developing.

 

[Metropolitan Nomad]

I'm doing daily EFT post EMDR and its hard.