PTSD and trigger points - daily bravery

If you think I’ve ever dreamt of living in a small village in the south of England—think again. My habitat is the town. I’m a city girl, and I always will be. When you’re born in the capital, you’re wired differently from those who grow up in small places. There’s nothing wrong with that—it’s just reality.

In my little podcast (I say "little" because calling it a podcast feels so grand, and I have no idea what else to call it), I talk about trigger points—those moments that can spark panic attacks, PTSD, and flashbacks. I even use an example involving cars.

As I walked up and down the lanes today, I couldn’t help but see the irony of my life.

Both of my parents came from tiny villages and somehow ended up in the capital of a country. It must have been terrifying and overwhelming for them especially for my mother who was coming from a different country as well.

And here I am—the opposite. Born in a capital city, yet I ended up in a village ( well change is always possible) … in another country I may add as well. Not by choice, but by circumstance. And I realise now that this, too, can be a trigger for anxiety as one is constantly asked to adapt and adapt some more.

Life is fascinating in the way it challenges us. I told a friend recently that no scriptwriter could have written the story of my life—it’s too unpredictable with lots of high and lots of lows. She laughed and said she felt the same about hers. “If you had told me this was going to be my life,” she said, “I would have said—no way, José!”

Everything ads up you know! Everything ads up. For all of us. Nowadays everywhere you turn, you hear stories of heartache, emotional struggles, burnout, and more. People carry enormous emotional burdens, often in silence, fear and sometimes innocent words might trigger a powerful reaction. What is innocent for some can be a monumental trigger for others. The temptation is always to tell ourselves off for being triggered again isn’t it?

Dear one please remember that recovering from complex trauma isn’t a single moment of triumph; it’s a daily act of courage.

Alice Miller, a renowned psychologist, profoundly stated, "An unacknowledged trauma is like a wound that never heals over and may start to bleed again at any time."

This is why I am encouraging trauma survivors to write about their experiences. Writing about both uncomfortable and joyful experiences can be a powerful way to process memories—to untangle emotional ties woven into certain words, scents, or gestures.

ANXIETY RELIEF

As many of you know, art is an essential part of my self-care routine, providing me with a safe and nurturing space.

You don’t need to be talented to pick up a brush or roller and begin—creativity is for everyone. In an upcoming blog post, I’ll be sharing a few simple yet inspiring creative ideas that anyone can try. Stay tuned!

Until next time, be well!

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