The Yardstick
Lately, I’ve been paying closer attention to what I once believed was my inner critic. But after some thought, I realized it wasn’t purely internal at all. What I’d been hearing was the echo of an external yardstick—a set of imagined judges—against which I constantly measured myself. My best friend has exquisite decorating taste, so […]
Waiting Game: Anxiety While Awaiting An Outcome
Waiting for a response or result can be incredibly anxiety-inducing, especially for someone like me, dealing with PTSD. Recently, my husband and I decided to purchase a home and the process produced extreme anxiety for me. During the action steps, applying for the loan, finalizing the contract, and selecting finishes, I was calm and even […]
Oversharing Leaks Energy: Maintaining our Right to Privacy
Today I want to delve into a topic that has given me increasing strength over the years, and that is privacy. I’ve recently been reminded of the profound connection between privacy, PTSD, and mental well-being. In today’s discourse, where sharing personal experiences has become increasingly common, especially on social media, it’s crucial to reflect on […]
Weathering the Holiday Blues – The Umbrella Tool
The holiday season, for many, is a time of joy, merriment, and celebration. However, there exists a cohort of individuals who find themselves immersed in a sea of holiday doldrums, where the twinkling lights and festive trees serve as poignant reminders of less-than-merry memories. For me, it’s a cheerful time of year full of sparkle […]
Teaching Lessons to Others When They Trigger Us – Revenge or Education?
We’ve all encountered individuals whose bad behavior triggers a deep sense of frustration or anger within us. In these moments, it’s essential to consider the most constructive way to address the issue. Teaching someone a lesson may seem like the logical choice, but in reality, the most profound lessons often begin with introspection and self-awareness. […]
Healing from Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE): Nurturing Your Heart!
Childhood is a time of innocence and wonder, but for many, it can also be a period of adversity and emotional trauma. Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) have been shown to have a profound impact on our physical and emotional well-being. The Heart ACE Connection: Research has unveiled a disturbing truth – the toxic stress of […]
Crazy Makers & Gaslighters
Today I started micromanaging everything around me and complaining about everything. My husband’s laundry, which he does himself. The lunch sandwiches, which were not made as we ordered them. The sink drain repair by the plumber who didn’t clean up after himself, etc. You know the drill: I had to have everything perfectly lined up […]
Blowing the Memory Away Tool
The “Blowing the Memory Away Tool” is one of my favorite go-to tools for handling a response that is not triggering in the moment, but a memory of a trauma from the past. The tool empowers me to label the memory as a past event, dissociating it from the present moment. This shift in perspective […]
Violent Legacy and Guilt
My son, Lee, recently had his heart broken. The worse part of it was that his anger and violence flared and became the straw that broke the camel’s back in their relationship. Would he and his girlfriend have ended anyway? Probably. Was she the one? Probably not. The breakup is not the saddest part. The […]
God Goes With – Tool
I woke up one day, not long ago, in the stress place and started to go down the anxiety trail. You know that feeling. My stomach clutched and a phantom fear held me in a distressed place. Had I overdrawn my checking account? Had I forgotten something important on my to do list that would […]
