I want to share a few things that helped me on my journey because I know they will help you as well. Here’s some useful lifehacks you can use to really get to the next level.
1. The first step is finding a trusted individual who will listen to you and believe what you share with them. I’d recommend looking for a counselor who specializes in sexual abuse / trauma. ChatGPT is an excellent resource for finding general providers but needs to always be reviewed since some of the providers information isn’t always the most updated online. Call to verify that the providers are in network. You can also utilize your health insurance directory to find a covered provider. If you confide in someone and they doubt you or say “that never happened”, understand that their defense mechanisms are coming up, it’s something they were taught to say. Don’t let their script dictate what you know to be true. Don’t let other people bring you down when you’ve come so far.
2. The second step is writing it out and giving yourself a break. You’ve been through a lot of shit and you deserve to take a rest. After you clock out from work, grab some ice cream and start journaling. Write down everything you went through. This is painful, I know, but it is incredibly useful for processing and resolving these traumatic memories in your mind. Make sure you take time to recover and rest after doing this. Ideally, see if you can take the next day off from work or school. It’s okay to relax after processing trauma, it’s all a part of the process. Without time to rejuvenate, it may heighten PTSD like symptoms which makes a school or work-like environment even more difficult to handle.
3. The third step is to involve bilateral stimulation in some manner or another. This means utilizing both sides of your body. You can go for a run, play the piano, play the guitar, or even look into EMDR therapy (this can be intense, just a heads up), anything that involves utilizing both hands or feet will help your brain process the trauma. The best solution is one that you find enjoyable and stimulating. I personally love long distance running, it’s something I do every day and it helps me feel fantastic.
Need more ideas? I’m just a text, Signal, or email away! I got you!
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© Christian Hughes for Congress