Going through a traumatic experience can change the way you see the world, but it can also impact the way you see yourself. It’s not uncommon for trauma survivors to struggle with guilt and shame, even when they aren’t at fault for what happened.
Additionally, trauma can impact your emotions, making them more difficult to process and regulate. This can lead to problems in your personal life, including tension within relationships.
As a result, it’s incredibly important to reconnect with yourself and cultivate self-love after trauma. Being compassionate with yourself and what you went through is essential if you truly want to move forward and heal. So, how can you find that connection within and work on self-love throughout your healing journey?
Acknowledge and Validate Your Emotions
It can be tempting to try to ignore the feelings that come up as a result of your trauma. Maybe you’ve worked hard at pushing those feelings and memories down, especially if you experienced something years ago.
Unfortunately, that only makes things worse and can cause you to feel more disconnected from yourself.
One of the best things you can do is to acknowledge the difficulty in managing your emotions. Accept that it’s hard to cultivate self-love because of your trauma, and start looking at is as a challenge you can overcome. Allow yourself to feel your true emotions and know that they are valid. Whether you’re angry, scared, or sad, your feelings matter.
Be Your Own Best Friend
If a loved one experienced trauma and was having a difficult time, how would you treat them? You would likely provide them with comfort and reassurance, showing them kindness and compassion.
You deserve nothing less from yourself. Remind yourself every day that the trauma you endured was not your fault, and be understanding about the things you went through.
Practice Self-Care
Self-care is especially important for people who have experienced trauma, and it’s not something you have to spend a lot of time or money on. Incorporating small acts of care into your daily routine can go a long way.
Things like exercise, getting enough sleep, journaling, or meditating are all great options that nourish the mind and body. Engaging in activities that promote your overall well-being can not only help you feel more in-tune with yourself, but they can give you a sense of purpose and something to look forward to. They will remind you that you are so much more than the trauma you’ve experienced.
Seek a Strong Support System
It can be tempting to isolate yourself when you’re struggling with the effects of trauma. That’s especially true when you’re dealing with guilt, shame, or feelings of self-loathing. But isolation is a dangerous thing and can lead to other mental health issues, including depression.
Surround yourself with people who lift you up. Spend time with those who are understanding of your situation and want to help. That might include friends and family, but it can also include support groups of other trauma survivors in different stages of their healing journey.
Finally, don’t hesitate to seek out professional help. Therapy can help you reconnect with your values and passions, whether it’s discovering new interests or rediscovering old ones. You’ll also learn how to love yourself again by getting back to the root of your traumatic experience and working from there. It’s not always easy to revisit the things you’ve gone through, but it’s a necessary first step.
If you’re ready to take that step, you don’t have to do it alone. It’s possible to reconnect with yourself and actually love yourself again, no matter what you’ve experienced. I’m happy to help you on that path. Contact me soon to set up an appointment for trauma counseling.