Are You Healing or Managing?

Let’s be honest, the idea of fully “healing” from trauma can feel like a myth. In my experience, it’s more about learning to live a safe, balanced, and UnBound life – even with the echoes of the past.

For years, I clung to the belief that I could somehow erase my trauma. But that belief only led to disappointment and frustration. It wasn’t until I shifted my focus to the process of “unbinding” that I truly began to move forward.

The Illusion of Healing

The word “healing” can be tricky. Often, I feel it suggests a return to some pre-trauma state, a complete erasure of what happened. But trauma changes us, and that’s not always a bad thing.

I wonder, instead of chasing an impossible “cure,” what if we focused on living deliberately?

  • Develop coping mechanisms: Learn to manage triggers, regulate our emotions, and navigate relationships in a healthier way.
  • Integrate the trauma: Make sense of the experience and how it’s shaped us, without letting it define us.
  • Build resilience: Growing stronger through adversity and finding ways to thrive.

The UnBound Living Framework

This is where the UnBound Living framework comes in. It’s a roadmap for navigating life after trauma through attention to:

  • Awareness: First, we need to recognize the presence and impact of trauma in our lives.
  • Acknowledgement: We need to validate our experience and its effects, without judgment.
  • Acceptance: This means making peace with what happened and its lasting consequences. It doesn’t mean condoning it, but accepting that it’s a part of our story.
  • Application: This is where we actively use coping skills and strategies in our daily lives to manage triggers and challenges.
  • Appreciation: Finally, we can find gratitude for our own growth, resilience, and the lessons we’ve learned along the way.

The Power of “Managing”

For me, thinking about trauma recovery as “managing” feels more realistic and empowering. It acknowledges that trauma can leave lasting marks, but it also emphasizes the possibility of living a full and meaningful life.
So by focusing on building skills and resilience, we can regain a sense of agency and control. We can learn to navigate challenges, build healthy relationships, and find joy and purpose – even with the weight of our past.

Your Journey, Your Way

Ultimately, the journey of trauma recovery is a personal one. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. What matters most is finding an approach that feels empowering and supportive, and being patient and compassionate with yourself along the way.

Take a moment to reflect on your own journey with trauma. What does “unbinding” mean to you? Share your insights in the comments below, and if you’re ready to further explore the UnBound Living framework, I invite you to reach out to me.