Is it really worth it to stay stuck on definitions?

Oversimplified versions we learned as children, probably reinforced by the media, without ever questioning them through our adult lenses.

Look at this…

🔎 Trauma isn’t just a car crash or some big dramatic event that takes place in your life.

One definition of trauma that I personally like is “trauma is too much happening while having too little time/skills/resources for your physical and/or emotional self to process.”

🔎 Abuse isn’t just physical violence.

Emotional neglect IS actually a form of abuse, and so is gaslighting, constant criticism, stonewalling, and it can cause life-long damage.

🔎 Rape isn’t just when sex is violently forced on someone in a dark alley.

It can also occur with little to no resistance, when the victim is unconscious and/or can’t say NO, or even between two people who are romantically involved.

🔎 An eating disorder isn’t just an extremely skinny woman starving herself because she has body dysmorphia.

It can also look like an *unhealthy* obsession with eating healthy food. Or eating the same thing every day because that’s the only food your body will let you eat.

When we open up to revisiting/loosening our definitions and listening to the conversations around them, we might plant a seed for healing.

We can pick and choose what resonates, and leave what doesn’t.

Someone once told me “nobody wants to be a victim” and I can absolutely relate.

But by choosing to avoid the “big words”, we may be keeping ourselves from healing.

Choosing to look away will not erase their impact.

It may feel easier, but it doesn’t remove what’s eating us from the inside.

What’s keeping us stuck repeating unhealthy patterns, why we keep putting everyone and their needs before us, or what is showing up as symptoms in our body.

The mind may close an eye, but the body remembers.

If you’re feeling called to explore certain areas, books, themes, but are resisting because you don’t like the “label”, rip the label off and jump in.

Take a look around and see how you feel.

Does it resonate?

Then don’t stop.

Keep exploring.

Slowly, at your own pace, or more intensively with a therapist.

This could be the beginning of something new.

Another step towards finally living a life that feels easier.

It’s scary but it’s worth it.

YOU are worth it.