Freedom and Trauma Survivors

On the Fourth of July we celebrate Independence Day in the United States. Last year I sponsored a Blog Carnival on this theme and shared that when I hear “independence” my mind counters with “interdependence“.

This year Hanne Blank’s independence day has me thinking about freedom and how it applies to trauma survivors. How meaningful is this holiday to you, if you feel stuck or trapped rather than free? So many trauma survivors do feel this way: stuck in unhealthy relationships or patterns, trapped in the pain of the past, limited by your own inner critical voice and self-hate.

How would it be to make this day a celebration of your own path towards freedom? What have you already overcome? Where are you headed? Take some time today to honor your progress towards healing, towards freedom from the cycle of abuse and violence.

There is tremendous freedom to be found through:

• learning to love yourself as you are, right now
• making peace with your body
• being present with your feelings in this moment
• creating holiday traditions that work for you

I wish all of this and more for you, on Independence Day and beyond.

Kathleen Young, Psy.D.

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