The Everyday Signs of Posttraumatic Growth
It may seem counterintuitive that the most difficult and painful parts of our experience could be the catalyst for our most profound personal change. From our deepest pain lies a platform from which we can jump more fully into who we are, know ourselves in a more profound way, and see ourselves more clearly.
Working through our pain can lead us into more fulfilling and authentic relationships - with ourselves, our family, friends, coworkers and others. Our wounds can be a gateway to new possibilities, new perspectives previously unknown and unseen. Leaning into the seismic power of our pain has the potential to open our eyes and hearts to the bigger picture of life, the connectedness of all things, and even, perhaps, a greater understanding of our unique place in the cosmos.
This is the potential power of posttraumatic growth. The beauty and power of the human psyche is that we have the potential to transform pain and suffering into something that makes us greater than we were before – not because of the trauma, but because of our courage and willingness to understand and then transform what trauma left behind.
Positive changes have been found across survivors of all types of trauma. Commonly, people speak of experiencing growth in new and positive ways such as:
Personal Strength
By working through trauma we often realise the depth of our strength. This is not strength in the “I have to be tough and push on through” sense. This strength is the deep, quiet knowing of what has been survived and endured, what it took to pass through the darkest of times. This strength is also an acknowledgement of the present, to the strength and courage it takes to face what is necessary to heal from deep wounding.
New Possibilities:
Through an active engagement to heal what trauma left behind, this can open up the path to new opportunities and possibilities. Courage breeds courage – perhaps this may lead to the desire to take life in a new direction, to change careers, or step into new ways of being within old relationships or structures. People often report discovering interests and connections they wouldn’t have pursued before. Posttraumatic growth allows for new directions to unfold.
Relating to Others
Relationships can shift as we move in more authentic, self-aligned ways - some strengthen, some fall away. Through this, we might develop a deeper sense of empathy, appreciation and discernment about who we let into our inner world. As we become more open and honest with ourselves, our capacity to extend this out to our relationships increases also – the development or deepening of meaningful connections is a most-often expressed outcome of posttraumatic growth.
Appreciation for Life
When you’ve been to the depths, the small, ordinary moments can become profound. A quiet morning, a shared laugh, the warmth of sunlight, the guarding of your peace - things that once felt routine can take on new significance. Growth often reveals itself in small ways -like slowing down, taking a mindful breath, or finding joy in the everyday.
Spiritual or Existential Change
Working through trauma can also lead to a redefinition of what truly matters, whether through spirituality, philosophy, or a more personal sense of connection to the world.
But let’s be very clear – trauma itself is NOT responsible for growth.
Trauma causes pain and suffering. Trauma forces us to move in self-protective ways - ways that often create more pain and suffering for us in the long term ( think of the ways you react when something or someone triggers a sore spot within you – it’s certainly not your most authentic expression of you, and likely causes you more pain in life). It is not the wounding that creates the growth.
Growth happens when you open yourself up to recognising all the ways that trauma has changed you.
Growth happens when you learn to calm your traumatised nervous system so you can more effectively deal with emotional distress.
Growth happens when you challenge yourself to see your past experiences through a new perspective – a wider lens.
Growth happens through a commitment to understanding yourself and your experiences in new, more compassionate ways.
Growth happens when you begin to respond rather than react - with presence, not old patterns.
Growth happens when you stop blaming yourself for the ways you learned to survive.
Growth happens when you let go of the need to fix yourself and instead begin to know yourself.
Growth happens when you build the capacity to stay with discomfort without abandoning yourself.
Growth happens when you remember that healing isn’t a destination, it’s a way of being with yourself.
Growth happens slowly, over time, and often in the opposite direction of the wound:
Trauma overwhelms: Learning to regulate is healing
Trauma disconnects: Reconnecting is healing
Trauma silences: Talking to others and speaking our truth is healing
Trauma isolates: Finding community is healing
Trauma creates self-doubt: Learning to trust ourselves is healing
Trauma keeps us stuck in the past: Learning to be in the present is healing
If these reflections resonate with you, if you’re beginning to sense that growth is possible - you are in the right place. Our programs are carefully and thoughtfully designed to support this kind of deep, embodied transformation. With practical tools, gentle guidance and a space held with compassion, you’ll learn ways to understand your patterns, calm your nervous system and reconnect with yourself. Are you ready for transformation?