Understanding Triggers: Unveiling the Path to Emotional Healing and Personal Growth

Feeling triggered?

A trigger, sometimes referred to as a stressor, is an action or situation that can lead to an adverse emotional reaction. In the context of mental illness, referring to triggers usually means something that has brought on or worsened symptoms.

When beginning shadow work and working with a supportive partner, you may start to uncover triggers from your past. These triggers may cause your defense mechanisms to kick in, which can cause you to dismiss the trauma or deflect from the underlying emotion behind the trigger.

One of the most important things I’ve learned in my journey of healing is how to identify my triggers, understand why I am feeling triggered, and find ways to grow from them. It’s important to talk about triggers with your partner/sounding board in real-time, as it can help you to first identify that you’re being triggered. Secondly, being able to explain that your partner is not the reason for your trigger and apologizing for any emotional outburst can help to deescalate the situation.

Identifying triggers is crucial in working through emotional responses. Talking about triggers with a supportive partner/sounding board can help identify triggers and communicate the feelings behind the trigger response. This process can help find peace with the emotion and find forgiveness in your heart, allowing you to move past the trauma that was once done to you.

It’s important to note that it may not be easy for some to work through harder trauma, but it’s always valid to feel the way you do when you experience a trigger from the past. It’s up to you to decide whether you’re ready to let go of the trigger or not. Listening to your heart will let you know when it’s finally time to let go.

Moon therapy is one the many helpful tools when you’re ready to release a trigger. Everyone has some form of trigger they face, and it may be different from yours or mine, but they can be just as powerful in holding oneself back from achieving their highest purpose in life. Ultimately, it’s up to you whether you allow triggers to hold you back or not. By identifying and working through triggers, you can overcome them and move forward in your personal growth journey.

Journaling is also, an excellent way to work through triggers and continue our healing journey forward. Here are some journal prompts to help you process and understand your triggers better:

• What situations or actions have triggered me in the past, and how did I respond?
• How have these triggers affected me emotionally, mentally, and physically?
• What patterns do I notice in my triggers? Are there any common themes?
• What can I do to prepare for triggers when they arise?
• How can I communicate my triggers with my partner or loved ones?
• What steps can I take to work through the underlying emotions and find peace and forgiveness in my heart?
• How can I use my triggers as an opportunity for growth and personal development?

By taking the time to reflect and journal about our triggers, we can gain a better understanding of ourselves and find ways to move forward in our healing journey.