Can we talk about triggers real quick?

Normally I get so irritated when people refer to “being triggered” because it’s been so watered down and used as an aesthetic when true triggers aren’t something we are aware of in the present. 

Triggers are caused by the unconscious remembering something that happened in the past and made a reaction occur in order to provide safety.

When you start the healing process - you will still be triggered… it’s the time between the trigger occurring and the conscious awareness of being triggered and the ability to look at and process the why that get shorter. And then you get to choose to heal that wound or not.

And that can be scarier than the initial wound

I had that happen recently. After 6 years of intense trauma focused therapy and healing- I was triggered, subconsciously, and had such a visceral reaction that I had no control over, that within an hour I was in tears that 

a) I still had triggers I wasn’t aware of and still had no control of them 

b) my reaction was so intense 

and lastly, I wasn’t sure I ready or able to start the healing of that wound because it was so deep and painful.

That’s the beautiful thing about triggers - they are there to protect you and to show you where you need love the most. They aren’t an excuse for  behavior, they are an opening to understanding yourself and giving yourself the opportunity to heal and live. 

Triggers give you your power back. 

Take it. Heal it. Love it.