There’s a common belief that trauma leaves wounds that never fully heal—that we may move forward, but we are forever broken, carrying pain that lingers just beneath the surface. But I have to disagree. Healing is possible. Scars may remain as reminders, but they do not have to define us.
I say this not as someone unfamiliar with suffering, but as someone who has walked through deep pain, even to the point of suicide attempts. I don’t share that for sympathy but to provide context: I know trauma intimately. I’ve felt its weight, its grip, and its ability to shape how we see ourselves and the world. And yet, I also know healing is real.
Healing vs. Triggers
Healing does not mean that we will never experience triggers again. Triggers are not the same as re-traumatization—they are trauma responses. The difference is key. A trigger can spark an emotional or physical reaction, but it does not mean we are back in the trauma itself. Instead, we are responding to something that reminds us of it. The good news? We can learn to manage our responses.
This is where healing shows itself. It’s not about never being triggered again but about gaining the tools to navigate those moments. We have a choice in how we respond. We can lash out, allowing the trigger to control us, or we can pause, process, and decide how we want to move forward.
The Power of Choice
Healing isn’t a one-time event—it’s an ongoing journey. It requires us to be present, to live in the now rather than being trapped in the past or anxiously reaching for a future that feels out of grasp. Living in the past keeps us stuck in pain. Living only for the future can create a sense of lack, making us feel like we’re always chasing something just beyond our reach.
True healing happens in the present. It happens when we choose how we respond to our triggers. It happens when we refuse to give away our power to pain, when we recognize that we are more than what has happened to us.
Breaking Free from Limiting Beliefs
One of the biggest barriers to healing is the belief that we can’t heal. That we are destined to carry our wounds forever, unable to find peace. But that is just a limiting belief. Healing doesn’t mean forgetting what happened. It doesn’t mean the scars disappear. But it does mean that we no longer live in suffering. It means we choose how we respond, how we grow, and how we move forward.
Self-Care and Boundaries
The world today can be overwhelming. Pain is everywhere. While it’s important to be informed, it’s also okay to set boundaries. Turn off the news. Take a break from social media. Prioritize self-care. Healing isn’t just about processing trauma—it’s also about protecting our peace. And sometimes, healing is as simple as remembering to smile. To find joy in small moments. To remind ourselves that we have come so far.
Moving Forward with Strength
Healing is real. It is a process, a journey, a choice we make every day. Yes, we may have scars, but they do not mean we are still wounded. They are reminders of our strength, our resilience, and our ability to overcome.
We are not defined by our past, our pain, or our trauma. We are defined by how we rise from it. And we can rise.
-Chazz Raddatz
