The Upward Spiral
I’m guessing you may know something about the downward spiral. But incase you don’t, it often goes something like this: we didn’t sleep well, now we are running late and rushing, we miss the bus, it starts to rain. On a bigger scale: we are burnt out and overworking, we get sick, we can’t do said job at all anymore, let alone efficiently, everything falls down, everything must be reevaluated. On a bigger scale: we defund education, elect a lunatic, education itself is cancelled. You know?
My point is: unpleasant events stack up and compound. This is true with trauma as well. A major predictor for PTSD is past traumatic experiences. Compounded trauma is generally more impactful and more complicated to heal because the traumatic event was not a “one-off”, it has repeated and impacted our experience of the world itself. Our bodies may not trust the world as safe as they once did. Or we may realize our bodies never felt safe at all. It can feel very bleak to be in the downward spiral, as if we are doomed to feel this way forever.
Source: Pinterest
But, here’s the good news: The upward spiral also exists. Experiences of safety, care and connection also compound (oh, thank god).
Healing happens in a million tiny moments that show us another possibility exists:
We end up in a loving relationship after years of abusive ones.
We choose to rest when we’re used to pushing ourselves.
We write a poem when we’re used to having a drink.
We quit our toxic job and build the life of our dreams.
We start to have more energy now that we more intentionally meet our nutritional needs. Months of therapy finally start to pay off, the day doesn’t feel like a mountain to climb anymore.
You see what I mean?
Listen, I know there is so much influencing our lives that we don’t always have personal control over, such as the oppressive structures of this world we live in. These limitations are real, and not your fault.
Yet, what choices do we have? What would it look like to reach for healing and wholeness in the million tiny choices that we do have available? What can we do with the power we do have?
How might these little moments stack up and change the trajectory of our lives, and the lives of those around us?
How do we know when change is needed?
The discomfort of staying where we are is becoming too great, and it’s time for inner and outer revolution.
Let me remind us - healing is not linear, and change does not happen all at once. It’s gradual, often messy, sometimes painful. May we reach for the support that we need and continue anyway
Reflections:
What in my life is ending/changing/dying out? What do I want to leave behind?
How do I want to feel? What am I inviting in? What seeds am I planting?
What are my sources of care, connection, support, joy and nourishment? People, places, things, practices, etc…
What gifts do I have to offer my community? This could be as small as your inner circle, and as big as the global community, and everywhere in between.
Practices:
Let’s find ways to remind ourselves of the changes we’re making and why. Every morning, I sit at my altar full of reminders of what I’m practicing. For you, it could be sticky notes, creating art, journalling, affirmations, talking to friends about it, etc.
Then, we act! Big or small, we bring the life and world we want into reality by making choices that bring our dreams to life. When we’re feeling stuck and want to get unstuck, we can move, get outside, break up our patterning however we can.
Be patient with yourself along the way.
Resources:
I made us a playlist to accompany us on our healing journey. Listen to “UPWARD SPIRAL” here.
We have support for you, whatever spiral you find yourself on. I welcome you to join my virtual group yoga and therapy program. From the comfort of your own space, you can join a group of others seeking to reconnect to themselves and live from that place. Check the upcoming dates here.
