Healing a trauma, whether it be linked to childhood, a breakup or a brutal shock, is never a straight path. For many, this process is accompanied by doubts, relapses and a constant impression of stagnating. However, as Kaytee Gillis recalls, psychotherapist specializing in trauma in Psychology Todaysome silent clues mark important steps in this personal journey. Here are eight discreet but revealing signs that your mind, your body and your emotions are repaired.
You eat without guilt, and it changes everything
The relationship between trauma and food is often ambivalent. Some seek comfort in food, others perceive it as a control field. But the day you enjoy a dish that you like without feeling an ounce of shame or inner criticism is that something has moved. Food becomes a source of pleasure, not an emotional battlefield.
You appreciate the moments without screen
Detaching the screens may seem harmless, but for a convalescence spirit, it is a breath of oxygen. The pressure of social networks, anxiety-provoking news or incessant comparisons often feeds post-traumatic stress. Being able to put your phone aside for an hour or a weekend then becomes a strong act. As Kaytee Gillis points out: “It is a form of personal mental care that allows you to rest and recharge your batteries, and a sign that you are more easily capable of moving away from your phone“.
You cut with toxic people
For a long time, fixing limits may seem impossible, especially when one has been conditioned to favor the needs of others. But when you start to say stop to a relationship that nights you, or take you distance from an oppressive colleague or a manipulative parent, is that you regain control. “”But healing occurs when we recognize that our needs count and that we deserve to be respected“, insists the therapist.
You stop denying your emotions
For years, you may have repressed your sadness, anger or fear. Finally, recognizing these emotions, accepting them and leaving them a place without judging you is a liberating act. You stop flee what you feel, and start offering space to fully experience your feelings, even the most uncomfortable.
You know how to say “no” without justification
There is immense power to refuse a request without feeling obliged to explain or feel guilty. To say “no” becomes a reflex of self -protection, not an attack against the other. This ability to assert your limits shows that you finally recognize your needs as legitimate.
You defend your rights
Having respected your limits, asking questions, asking for help, making a choice that does not please everyone … All these actions that may seem banal are actually healing evidence. As Kaytee Gillis reminds us: “By asserting your rights, asking for help when you need it and defending yourself, you regain power over your own life“.
You refuse an invitation, and it’s ok
Accept to stay at home when you are tired, decline a family dinner or refuse an outing without remorse: it means that you know how to listen to your body and your need for rest. This choice is not a withdrawal, but self -respect.
You will find your creativity
The return of the desire to create, write, garden or tinker is often a sign that energy comes back. Creativity allows you to express themselves without having to understand everything or verbalize. It becomes a tool for personal reconstruction.