Stepping Into The Holidays With CPTSD - Trauma Sensitive.

This audio is intended to be a gentle, trauma-sensitive reminder that it's okay if the holiday season is difficult. The recording is spoken in the first person, it is particularly suitable for folks with a history of past trauma - especially those with Complex PTSD. Also valid for other holidays or special events that may come up. Gentle piano music plays in the background.

Music by harumachimusic

Transcript

Stepping into the holidays with CPTSD.

Holidays and special events impact me differently than the general population.

This changes from season to season and I can't always predict it.

The emotions or feelings I have are real and valid and it's okay if they get mixed up.

It's also okay if I feel positive,

Neutral or negative.

I don't have to stay within societal expectations.

I'm not a bad person if I choose not to spend time with problematic family members or I limit this time with strong boundaries.

I am also not a bad person if I choose to maintain the status quo in these relationships during this time in order to avoid complications.

It's okay if I do anything in between and it's okay to spend time with a chosen family or even alone.

I'm not the only person on the planet who will be doing this even if it feels like it.

I don't have to participate or enjoy the common traditions.

I can purposely avoid them all as much as possible and I can be gentle with myself when they are unavoidable.

I can create my own new traditions that bring me my own sense of joy,

Peace or contentment or I can go about my day as I would any other.

It's alright if I feel anger,

Sadness or frustration with society for being all up in my face about the holidays.

It can be tiresome,

Complicated and a hard time to navigate.

Eventually the season will pass and I'll be able to get back to my typical life.

I have choices and the right to do whatever is best for me.

The traumas and the experiences that happened during this season or at any other point in life did happen.

The impact on me is real.

I felt it then and I continue to feel it now.

No amount of holiday cheer or celebrations can erase the past.

It's okay if I miss my therapist,

Support group or other people who help who might be on vacation.

This is a normal and natural feeling.

I will do my best to remember that I will see them again soon.

I can write things down that I want to tell them for my next appointment.

If I'm feeling that I need some immediate support,

I can always contact a 24-hour hotline or some other similar resource that's available to me.

I can also use coping skills that I've learned over the years.

I can go for a walk,

Work on a hobby,

Have a nap,

Clean up a little or just do whatever feels right.

I can look for moments of peace and join in on activities in a way that feels best to me.

It's alright if there are parts that I do enjoy or if I push myself through for the benefit of other people,

But even I can take a break from that.

Sometimes it helps me to do things for others and if that fits I can do it,

Such as donating things or volunteering my time.

Things will eventually shift.

This season will not last forever.

Soon I will get back to my regular routine and I won't be the only person that feels relief about this.

I can celebrate the return of normalcy and be proud of myself for navigating my way through this time.

I will be okay.

Reviews

I was hit by a wave of grief and loneliness today while being on my own during a holiday, and so many of the meditations on this app felt dismissive or toxically positive. This was exactly what I needed at this moment and I am so grateful 💜 I will be returning to this often as I navigate the season

Finding this helpful during a long period of grief (not necessarily ptsi) during any holiday or social expectation. Thank you

THANK YOU!!!!! this is simply fantastic. it's nice to know there are others who feel like i do.
this season is just a way to spend money we don't have for a man-made "holiday" that is just downright silly when you think about it.
happy science!

I really appreciated the reassurance of this message this morning. As the holiday activity ramps up and the family dysfunction flares up, I needed this reminder that it's ok to make choices that are best for me and that I don't have to meet the "Hallmark Christmas" standard when I just wish there was a fast forward button to February. Thank you for the gentle, calming guidance and reassurance as well as the validation.

I am so grateful for this meditation because it reminded me that I am not alone in my struggles with holidays, special events, etc., and it's completely OK to be alone (or to say no) in order to avoid being triggered if that's what needed to keep myself grounded. Thank you 🙏

Thank you🙏💕🤗 You brought me to tears when you said that my experiences and feelings are valid based on what has happened to me in the past. That felt especially good because my family has completely negated all of that. Blessings to you and your healing XOXO💗

Really lovely thank you!

Boy did I need that validation! I still get confused about what’s real… if I’m seeing things clearly. It’s so helpful to hear from someone who has also lived through this.

Mum died 9 years ago, 5th of December. I love this season, however, there are traumas to it as an adult and there sure is as a child, although primarily happy. mixed feelings. This has helped, somehow. See my trauma informed SW therapist tomorrow. I may need more support than I thought.
Thanks for making me, helping me, prompting me too.

Thank you 🙏 for sharing this! It’s just the affirmation that I need to navigate through this whole time of the year. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
🙏✨💛😊🕊💫

This was a nice relief 😮‍💨

💙love the cptsd meditations listen every day thank you x