Triggers

Triggers can sometimes feel like a buzzword. Probably because there is an unending number of things that can be triggering for people - even for me, the word trigger is a bit of a trigger. I actually prefer calling them "activating events." 

This is appropriately timed for me - because I am currently triggered by the weather. As I write this, I'm watching the snow floating down outside. It's beautiful and I love seeing the landscapes covered in white (positive savoring imagery for me) AND at the same time, I'm finding myself working on some deep breathing and grounding practices to keep myself regulated from the triggering feelings of school cancellations and more unexpected days of trying to juggle work and parenting responsibilities.

Triggers, like so many other things, can run a full range of different intensities and can be brought on by events, people, sounds, cognitive memories, body memories, and even dates or seasons. And this is not an exclusive list.

It's important and beneficial to do the hard work to recognize what activates your triggers, what gets stirred up inside you, and what you need once you've been triggered. Therapy, like EMDR, CBT, or SE, is a great place to do this work with the support of a licensed professional.

For me, impending and unplanned snow days or school cancellations and feeling like I'm not being a "good" mom or "good" therapist (yes, therapists have BS thoughts too...) triggers the same feelings I experienced during the early months of the pandemic. Once I notice it, I do body work like breathing and grounding. I do cognitive work, using the facts to remind my brain and body that now is not then. And I feel my feelings around the trigger. It's my sign to spend some time feeling sad for the chaos and fear in those early months of the pandemic and to slow down to allow myself (brain and body) time to process those feelings.

Wishing you well and warmth,

Jessica