Healing begins the moment we recognize a trigger—when we feel the shift into the sympathetic nervous system, drifting away from our rational, intelligent brain and into fight-or-flight mode. The first step is not to react, but to observe.
Instead of acting on impulse, write. What does this trigger feel like in the present moment? Describe the fear. Does it remind you of a past relationship, a childhood wound, or a recurring pattern? Triggers are not just about the present—they are echoes of unresolved pain, waiting to be understood.
The work begins when we breathe deeply and intentionally, using slow, full inhalations and exhalations in sets of four or five. A simple mantra can anchor us:
"I am safe. Nothing is happening. This is familiar."
This is not the time to fix the relationship or seek external validation. We must sit with our emotions, trace them to their roots, and take responsibility for our part in these patterns. Most people quit before they truly uncover their past, and others get stuck in the overwhelming flood of old wounds. This is why guidance—whether from an experienced professional or a deeply trusted support system—is invaluable. Healing requires walking through the darkness, not around it.
In these moments of activation, we must practice breathwork, self-awareness, and stillness. At first, we will struggle. But with persistence, we can rewire our nervous system, transcending reactivity and addiction, and becoming truly human—perhaps even superhuman.
Stop reacting. Stop acting out. Stop numbing. Stay present. Write. Talk to those who support your growth. Then write again.
Ask yourself:
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What have I done to contribute to this situation?
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Where have I felt these triggers before?
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What are the key events in my childhood that shaped this anxiety?
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What beliefs about myself were formed in those moments?
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What new words, thoughts, and actions can dismantle that old narrative?
Healing is not just about processing pain—it’s about rewriting the story. It is about dismantling resentment, choosing new mantras, and taking conscious actions that liberate us from old emotional prisons. The way forward is through. There is no shortcut, only the deep, necessary work of facing ourselves fully—and emerging whole.