Stories From My Students
My Symptoms Are Normal, And I Have Hope
"My most profound healing has occurred as a result of learning that all of my symptoms are NORMAL for people who went through what I went through.Rather than continuing to "freak out about freaking out," I am able to quickly realize, “Oh! It’s happening, and this is a normal survival response for the abuse, neglect, abandonment and betrayal from my deep past." And then I rememd myself to halt everything and use my re-regulation tools, and it will be OK.
Learning that getting dysregulated happens because of an INJURY to my nervous system (and not a defect of my whole person) has given me the internal space needed for the self-love, support, and compassion that I just could not seem to grasp before. And because of this, I know for a fact that there is hope." -- Kheyala R.
For The First Time, I Felt Seen
"At age 48, I was desperate and deeply depressed, since I had tried so many techniques and therapy methods that didn't really help me. The most scary part for me was that in my 40s I started isolating myself drastically, ending many important friendships within a short time. Learning about attachment trauma, and how people and social contact can be a trigger for someone with CPTSD was kind of a positive shock for me.
For the first time, I felt seen and taken seriously! it opened my eyes about what was actually going on with me and why I had acted the way I did. Learning the connection skills and practicing them in my own pace is what gives me hope and joy. It is literally a lifesaver. I even reconnected with some people from before!" -- Beeke N.
Better Connections And The Gift Of True Self
"At 58 years old, and learning these principles for a better connection with others and better relational choices have allowed me to develop a know-how that I had been missing since childhood. Little by little, practicing every day, I am now able to get out of my social withdrawal. I'm applying boundaries some nurturing relationships have emerged. The most beautiful gift is that I am beginning to appreciate what I have become, enriched by my life story, and finding the way to express myself in the world." -- Caroline D.
I Feel, Open, Relaxed And That I Now Belong
"I realized I was being dysregulated mostly in the context of romantic relationships, running after unavailable or uninterested partners, especially when confronted with hardships or crisis. I could feel that I was entering a physical state that was very unbalanced, not being able to sleep, eat or digest properly and not being able to reason in a logical manner for a few days or weeks in a row.
The first effect I noticed after committing to the daily practice is how it affected my social life. I can see I am more open and relaxed in social situations, I stopped caring so much about what people would think of me. It made a big difference also in me feeling part of a group versus always having it in the back of my mind that I don’t belong with normal or successful people, almost like I am of a different species :)
" -- Sandra
The Joy Of The Daily Practice Has Become Its Own Reward
"Begining in junior high school...isolating became my go-to response to protect myself from feeling wounded in social situations. I could still socialize and chatter away with friends, but they were the wrong friends.
30 years later, I still found myself using various excuses not to be social. I found myself feeling relieved by the limited social interaction with the outside world, especially during the pandemic. the pattern of socially isolating was something that had taken on a life of its own. I was stuck, but this time I was an adult and no one was coming to save me. People I still contacted I only texted, and I had to be careful to read things over a few times before I hit send to make sure I was sounding as normal as possible. I would get myself really upset when I thought over my interactions with people. I knew I talked too much because I was so starved for communication. I would run a tape in my head of all the things that could be wrong with anything I might have said. Every time I left the house I would purposely put a smile on my face so I could hide my pain and how totally removed I felt.
I used media to salve my pain. I went from leaving my cell phone on a table to using it all the time in just about 6 months. I would play games, surf, read. I was afraid I was going crazy, really. I was a mess, inside and out. I wasn't taking care of myself. I drove my car about once a month. I had no motivation, and I had no feeling that anything was going to change. I wasn't even going grocery shopping. Instead I would have everything delivered. I even bought clothes online and stopped caring much about how I looked. I would watch TV and YouTube.
I think I watched CCF a few times before I heard the about disregulation. I remember demanding to know from my therapist why she hadn't told me about it. Here was this thing that basically described my experience, and I was the one bringing it to the therapist! It didn't change my therapy. I quietly started using the Daily Practice on my own.
Slowly, and with quite a bit of trepidation, I began to practice being social. I began with small talk during walks. I have dinner with friends. I walk with friends. I spend time with them on holidays and on outings. I go to the grocery store myself. I'm still a little choppy sometimes when I'm chatting and I forget the lessons I'm trying to use. I haven't let anyone in as much as I did before when I had best friends. That's going to take more time and deciding who I want to trust that much.
I've had some difficult situations to work through since I started the Daily Practice, but I'm willing to do it because it has become its own reward. I think what I feel is joy. I'm not entirely sure because it's new for me. I'm in my 60's now. I think that if I am experiencing joy, well, it's about time." -- Debbie E.
Ending Avoidance And Allowing Connection
"The most disruptive part of my life had been dysregulation. Naturally, I avoided people, because people tended to hurt me. So, of course, I was resistant to the idea of intentionally interacting with people, particularly in situations where I had experienced anxiety or triggering feelings in the past.
I was glad I took a chance on it, though, because I realized that I couldn't employ any tools or methods to self-regulate unless I was actually in situations to dysregulate. It felt torturous to know I would be volunteering myself for potential pain. I'd get panicky and clammy. I'd get headaches and stomach aches. I'd sweat profusely while smiling through interactions. I knew I was on the verge of dysregulation every time, too.
But I breathed. I reminded myself that people's judgments and opinions of me were their own and they were entitled to them. I told myself there was nothing wrong with me. The abuse I'd endured had caused a change in my nervous system. It wasn't my fault. I didn't want to be this way, but hat's why I was putting myself in these situations!
After repeated attempts to put myself out there, for as little or as much time as I could endure, I found that my nervous system almost normalized. It's like overcoming a fear, in a sense, though I could say I certainly feared people, or at least the hurt I'd presumed they'd inflict on me.
So, now I don't isolate. I can go out and be around people, even people who have caused me pain and trauma in the past, and I'm okay. I don't dysregulate. I don't even get too sweaty anymore. It feels good to be able to interact with people again, too. I don't think any of us really want to isolate. All I wanted was connection. I had just been disallowing it to avoid the risk." -- Dana S.
The Daily Practice Is A Realistic Goal
"The DP gives me a goal, and a realistic target (writing down my fears). My experiences with the DP are rewarding and uplifting. I initially struggled with the DP, because of the meditation aspect. But Anna's comment that I could heal myself much faster than I thought encouraged me to try it. The DP calms, me gives me a reality check and sometimes makes me laugh at myself. The DP is like a trusted friend, it allows me to write all of my fears, worries, frustrations and embarrassments, to never be revealed; and to release, let go or surrender those things that kept me up, that separated me from God, my rational self, my common sense, my friends and family. It reconnected me with society, family and friends.
" -- DY
Subtle, Simple Changes
"I was stuck, isolated, confused, and had pretty much lost hope of ever finding help, when I discovered the Crappy Childhood Fairy through a YouTube video about clutter. I learned about dysregulation for the first time and began to understand a new approach for dealing with my childhood trauma.
As I listened to Anna describe the Daily Practice, I was hesitant and skeptical – could something this simple really help me? I gave it a try, desperate to see some immediate change. After a week, there were only slight improvements in my sense of well-being and mental clarity. Despite feeling discouraged, I committed to it for 2 more months. I 'felt' no different at the end of that time, but with more self-examination, I was surprised to realize things 'had' changed: no more nightmares, more energy and focus during the day, less emotional eating, and I was more relaxed in social situations. All this had been happening without me noticing.
It’s not easy for me to make time for writing and meditating, but it’s worth the effort. The Daily Practice provided the change and stability I needed to start my journey of healing - and to have hope again." -- Sharon R.
Real Healing Has Come
"I was raised by a single mother, who was narcissistic, unstable and alcoholic. The pandemic gave me the first opportunity in my whole life to rest my nervous system. That's when I found the Daily Practice. I was immediately drawn to the combination of simple skills this practice involved: writing and meditation. After just a couple weeks of doing the DP, I felt enough clarity and confidence to leave a toxic 10-year relationship and now I have positioned myself to enter the graduate program I've always envisioned I'd be in. Real healing has come, and I'm learning the skills I need to have better relationships, and have a peaceful existence while continuing on my quest to help the world heal from physical and emotional dysregulation that results from all kinds of complex trauma." -- Sonia B.
The Daily Practice Helps With Emotional Release
"During the first two weeks of starting The Daly Practice, I cried during the meditation. I felt years of anxiety release from my body. I find the evening practise helps me release trauma accumulated/resurfaced during the day, resulting in a better sleep pattern. I am able to act quicker with less paralysis and more awareness when my emotions are being mistreated.
" -- U.I.
Relief And New Energy From The Daily Practice
"I had been suffering from chronic burnout symptons for years. I would be exhausted waking in morning, only able to work for three hours a day before exhaustion would set in. My brain felt scattered, and I wasn't able sleep well for more than three years.
Within a month of Daily Practice, my energy turned around and I could wake at 5:00 AM, do the Daily Practice, and work in the morning until noon. After a rest, I'd do the Daily Practice again, and feel refreshed, working through the afternoon and evening. would be Energizer Bunny and Refreshed, and would work in afternoon and evening, I was able to sleep soundly for first time in years.
The Daily Practice really ignited the passion and energy that had been stagnant and buried inside me!" -- Omar M.
My First Week With The Daily Practice
"I tried the daily practice over the weekend, and it was the first time in a long time I didn't feel anxious about going to work on Monday. The emotions I was starting to release had affected my outer world to the point I had anxious feelings or sudden burst of crying or anger at times. I may not know what specific experience it all comes from and it doesn't always matter because it's layers of experiences. I'm just really grateful I can write it out, release it, share it with others and move on with life, that's what we all really need." -- Kris W.
Noticing Counter-Productive Behaviors, And Learning To Adjust
"No learning has ever been a linear path for me. With never feeling like I quite belonged in my family of origin. friendships that never seemed to satisfy, marriages to the same "type of men," therapies that left me feeling orphaned, self defeating behaviors too numerous to count, my life had shriveled on the vine.
When my 37 year son was dying, I made a vow to him that I would learn to live- truly live, and this is when I disocvered the Daily Practice. It sounded so easy, I decided to give it a chance. In the first week, my mind was racing 50% less,. I was ruminating significantly less, I am able to notice my dysregulation and do some of the simple things I'm learning. After the third week, I stopped using medical marijuana -- not becasue I intended to stop, but I could now feel it was counter-productive for me. After four weeks I overcame a 42-year fear of getting into dark river water; now I'm paddle boarding on it! I'm getting out and socializing more and more, letting go of people, places and things that had been dragging me down for years. A s a by product of me doing the Daily Practice, my 34 year olddaughter with Downs Syndrome is learning to regulate her nervous system too.
I've kept my promise! I've begun to truly live." -- Vickie E.
Discarding Your Fears And Resentments
"I was beyond grateful to learn I could rip up my Daily Practice writings. this gave me permission to entirely discard my ranting and raving! There did not need to be a permanent record of my chaotic mind. I would not be hurt by what was written nor would anyone else. It was not a definition or characterization of who I am or want to be in this world. I now write on erasable paper because there is no trace of it in the world." -- Tess A.
The Daily Practice Rewires Reactivity
"After a fire destroyed our home, my husband, children and I were forced to move into my childhood home. I was in a fog, unable to focus or feel, not only because of the trauma of the fire, but also because I was in the home where I had suffered childhood abuse and neglect. My husband tried to support me but I blamed him and shouted and swore at him. His patience wore thin and we fought often, screaming and yelling. It became too much and I was desperate. I went online and found the Daily Practice. I started writing and meditating twice a day, often crying uncontrollably as I wrote.
After about three months, my husband and I once again started along a well worn path of arguing. As he stormed out of the house, I said, “Do what you need to do. I love you and I'll be here when you get back.” It was like I had rewired the reactive switches in my brain. My body was calm. I could think. I was in control of myself." -- Mari S.
Clearing And Cleansing With The Daily Practice
"A tough childhood taught me to be strong (ACE score 8) but being strong wasn't enough. I was certain if I found a way out of the family home and got through college my pain and isolation would disappear. This was 40+ years ago and I have accomplished all I set out to do as a young person but it was not without fears, isolation and a broken heart. All of my close relationships were profoundly influenced by my unhealed C-PTSD. My career was harder too because of triggers I did not know I had or how to re-regulate. Writing fears and resentments clears my surface junk so the meditation can then do a deep cleanse. All parts of the Daily Practice helped heal my broken heart too. Days without the Daily Practice are just not as good.
" -- JLP
Grounded In More Self-Compassion
"I used to get dysregulated pretty much daily. and it had a huge impact on so many aspects of my life. I’d often be unable to concentrate on my work, and I was worried that being in an office environment full-time would leave me vulnerable to getting triggered – which I didn’t know how to cope with – so my career suffered due to avoidance.
It was a similar situation with friendships, I could easily make friends but people were often taken aback when they experienced me being dysregulated and unable to control my emotions. This led to shame that caused social anxiety. And then when I got into a relationship, that’s when I really noticed the impact in a way that I couldn’t ignore as the rollercoaster was affecting my partner too.
Now, I use the Daily Practice every morning and evening and call my Daily Practice "buddy" two times a week. I am now so much more grounded and stable, and my shame has reduced by sharing. If I do start to feel dysregulated, I do the Daily Practice, smell a candle, splash cold water on my wrists, and say to myself “I am having an emotional reaction” and this fosters self-compassion too." -- Bekki B.
Changing The Way You Deal With Stress
"After a stressful workday, I realized that I overbooked my day. I cancelled a standing appointment for the 3rd or 4th time, later realized that the regular meeting was a part of my stress. I drove home, and before putting the car in park (my foot was on the brake), I sent a message canceling the scheduled meeting and did not reschedule. I left the car and did the DP. I came out of my meditation relieved, rested and at peace.WOW!!! It was better than a long nap.The DP works, trust me, it has changed my mindset, way of dealing stress (no more ice cream binges), revealed some of my shortcomings, and inabilities. No hype from me. The results are real." -- D.Y.
Finding Calm And A New Quality Of Life
"The first time I tried the Daily Practice, I didn't get it.. But I realized that my codependent behavior is based on years of childhood trauma, and involves a deficit in self-assertion. I have experienced empowering change. Writing my anger is a safe way to express it that doesn't let my PTSD interfere with standing up for myself. Writing my fears not only has reduced their power, but also has helped me identify my needs and wants. The sign-off at the end helps me practice humble trust instead of catastrophizing. Trying to practice detachment by tearing up the paper and sitting for 20 minutes of silent meditation seems to have helped me with emotional regulation.
I noticed within a few days that I was more able to claim my needs and wants to myself and to others, and I felt calmer than I feared I might in doing so. My quality of life is improving in small ways. I feel hopeful!
" -- John L.
I'M Amazed By The Daily Practice
"I’ve only done the daily practice 3-4 times so far now. Each time is amazing and enlightening in its own way. I write things down I had no idea were even true before. Once on paper they make complete and obvious sense. I feel like it is giving a whole speechless part of me a voice for the first time!!! It’s just such a relief already. I’ve never experienced anything like this.
I LOVE ripping the paper up afterwards and destroying it forever. And then I love giving my mind some quiet space during meditation, to rearrange as it needs to. It's a perfectly simple system that works great for me." -- Michelle M.
Finding Consistency In The Daily Practice
"The practice of burning what you've written has really helped me feel safe to write whatever I wanted and release it. Recently, I forgot to burn something I wrote but because I'm now in the habit of releasing fear for real and daily, what would have had me reeling for weeks I responded to with a shrug. I notice the need to do it consistently has also helped me be consistent, reduce stress, allow for mental headspace and the energy to problem solve.
" -- U.I.
Removing Fears, Big And Small
"The Daily Practice writing is a place to put my big deep dark fears and my petty immature little fears. They all feel yucky, so I put them in words on a piece of paper. At the end, I write the closing, sign my full name with my official signature, then tear the paper(s) to little bits. I imagine hat I am releasing all that yucky energy, cleansed, back the universe to use again.
" -- Janet B.
Connecting With My Higher Power Is Revolutionary
"The Daily Practice "sign off " at the end of writing.has been revolutionary for me. It lets me refocus on the release of my chaos to my Higher Power. Then instead of trying to jump right into the day, I rest in meditation, trusting that what comes to me throught the day will be inspired and guided by God. It is a new level of faith I am applying in my day." -- Tess A.
Recognizing Fear And Mistaken Beliefs
"I grew up in a chaotic household where confusion was constant. I found writing as a way to get to the bottom of things but it could easily turn into a lot of ranting and raving. The simple structure of the Daily Practice lets me put it into clear and concise sentences. It gives clarity around what is resentment, and what is fear, which helps me regulate my emotional state, take my chaos level down, and get to the heart of the matter. I can also step back and not be as attached to what I am writing because it is fears I have; they are not who I am. The writing is no longer an affirmation that my fear and resentments are true but a perspective that they could be entirely wrong after all. And truthfully, I like being wrong!" -- Tess A.
Getting Your Head Out Of The Sand
"I resisted doing the daily practice. I was stuck in the “la la” everything is wonderful, no bad vibes allowed, head-in-sand mode. I had tried journaling and 12 step programs and did not find relief. What led me finally to embrace the Daily Practice was that I was still so angry, or worse, apathetic inside all the time. By writing out my fears and resentments without any judgment of their logic or “appropriateness”, it opened the stuffed down since birth well of ick! The meditation after writing has created space in my head, heart and life for better thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Some days I only let go of a thimbleful and I might pick it back up, but for now, today it is a little less and I can breathe a little more.
" -- Amberly D.
Discovering Myself With The Daily Practice
"I didn’t know that Childhood PTSD was a thing and certainly didn’t expect to identify with the symptoms as intimately as I did. My chronic people pleasing, attraction to unhealthy relationships, self defeating behaviors' was threatening to take away any chance of one day finding joy in my life.
I lived most of life in crisis mode, learning to quiet my brain has been and still is one of the hardest things for me to do. I didn’t realize how out of touch with my own emotions I was until I found the daily practice. Naming my fears and resentments followed by burning the paper, has become a ritual for me, and has proven to be more beneficial for me than therapy and medication combined.
" -- Wendy F.
My Spirit Has Lightened
"I started the Daily Practice course this morning and did the 2nd one in the evening.... I felt compelled to write my fears and resentments in the evening .... I thought that I wouldn't be able to stop writing until my deepest fear about the situation came into my mind. I didn't analyse, the words just started coming into my mind about what I really feared. I signed off as you tell us to do and I felt my spirit lighten as though a load had been taken away. I just cried my eyes out I could feel myself being soothed and what seemed like a pair of arms holding me. I'll be doing it again tomorrow xx" -- Dawn E.
I Am Grateful For The Person I Am Becoming
"I started doing the Daily Practice as soon as I learned about it at the start of COVID. My daughter was not able to finish her studies at university, and had moved in with me, suffering from what I now realize was PTSD. She started calling me on my crap, and I realized I didn't want to be the kind of person she was describing. I was so unconscious, living my life on autopilot! I realized I'd been unconscious all my life. I remember yelling back at my daughter during one of our "discussions," "I don't want to be this way!" At 68, I figured it was time I changed, and started on my journey.
There are ups and downs for me with the Daily Practice, but I never waver in doing it. My daughter and I have learned so much together. I am grateful every day for all that has happened." -- Trish I.
Surrender, Release, And Gratitude
"I begain doing the Daily Practice about a month ago, doing it at bedtime most days. When I i got to writing my resentments and the fears behind them, I was appalled at the level of resentment I was feeling toward my wife, whom I love more than anyone on the planet.
Awareness of these resentments, and the realization of certain entitled beliefs that were also connected, have really helped me put things into perspective. The self-reflection coupled with humble prayer of surrender/release is truly making my life better. I'm very grateful for this and have ended a few of my meditation sessions in tears with a very real sense that Jesus is near me and accepts me where I am in my growth process. The Daily Practice has been a profound addition to my recovery toolkit and is worth every minute of the time." -- Mark C.
Finding Comfort In The Shared Experience Of Cpstd
"I discovered that I had CPTSD about 2 years ago. I realized that I had all of the same reactions, problems and disappointments that Anna described, like I could not control my emotions, I would lose my ability to structure arguments, I would lose my thoughts regularly, I thought that I had Alzheimer's or early onset dementia. I had no ability to notice social clues. I raged at loved ones and fawned in my work environment. I would snap at a moment’s notice, jump to conclusions without evidence, ruin relationships and yell insults. I was a good worker that could not control herself. Finding another person with those experiences, symptoms and realities comforted me. I've found hope!" -- D.Y.
What Dysregulation Did To Me
"Neurological dysregulation, for me, was like stepping into a distorted reality where the world lost its clarity. It felt as if a slow poison trickled into my mind from the top of my head, seeping through my body. When I tried to speak, my words came out too loud or incoherent.
The more I strained to appear normal, the more peculiar I seemed to others. It was a vicious cycle that left me drowning in shame. I never dared to confide in anyone." -- Cara A.
Identifying Triggers And Re-Regulating
"Some months after I began learning about dysregulation, I had an “a-hah” experience. While traveling, I stopped for gas. That day, there were long lines to get to the pumps and I got agitated at people who would leave their cars blocking the pumps after they got gas. When I finally got to the pump, I became convinced that it would charge my card for the previous customer’s gas. I had enough presence of mind to realize that something was wrong, that I wasn’t thinking clearly. I told myself to just drive to the next exit and focus on my breathing along the way. At the next exit, I had no trouble pumping gas. I realized then that what I had just experienced was dysregulation. In that moment, I understood that dysregulation was behind the outbursts of rage that my husband had often complained about. This experience helped me identify two of my triggers. It also helped me see that I now had tools to help myself re-regulate." -- Dawn R.
I Have Hope Where Once Was Despair
"I spent most of my life waking up disregulated. It was devasting. No words expressed what I felt, and nobody around me understood it. Neiither did I.
Learning that this feeling had a name changed my entire life. I finally felt that I wasn't just broken, but in fact, considering what I experienced growing up, all my symptoms of dysregulation made sense. Now, I can look at it with a sense of understanding that helps me ground myself before my emotions get the best of me. I now know I have the strength to be better, that it is not beyond my control. I no longer blame myself, I see that I am strong, a survivor. Knowing there's a word for it changed my life, I have hope where once was despair, and I am so grateful for that." -- Christina M.
Releasing Shame And Allowing Peace
"I came from a dysfunctional family. In my early 20's, I had an affair and left my first husband and broke his heart. I trauma bonded with this new man who turned out to be a covert narcissist. We had a rocky on/off-again relationship for over 30 years. I believed many lies for many decades! We are no longer together.
The dysregulation over decades sadly impacted EVERY relationship I ever had.
When I came upon the daily practice, it was as if a light bulb was turned on!
By doing the daily practice, it has helped me release years of emotions, some ugliness too, and shame, and guilt, and forgiveness for my bad decisions.
I am now at peace and when I do get triggered I know what to do, its time to write my fears and resentments, pray, and meditate. My relationship with God, myself and others has significantly improved." -- Sheri G.
Focusing The Kaleidoscope Of Emotions
"For decades I have attempted many paths and techniques to help myself (and to help others as a codependent). It wasn't until I learned about the Daily Practice and what "dysregulation" was, where a noticeable shift began. "Why does this happen to me so often?" became clear. I was learning a new technique to process through the emotions. All these years, I had no clue what was happening because it seemed quite "normal for me". I didn't realize I was triggered and dysregulation was occurring. It was as if my kaleidoscope came into focus." -- Sheri G.
Techniques That Take Minutes, Not Days, To Start Helping
"I used to fly off the handle extremely quickly. When I felt provoked or cornered, yelling or attacking was my way of self protection and it eroded my relationship with my immediate family and husband. I would then beat myself up days and often wondered why I could be smart, successful, caring and not have the self control and have the need to lash out.
After recognizing my patterns of dysregulation and learning techniques that take minutes and not days to help me, I have been able to be a much more thoughtful, less reactive individual. I get way less caught up in strife at home and I feel im just... nicer.
Even though I would not yell at my job I now recognize that my facial expressions and body language probably betrayed that I was fuming under the surface and that is just off-putting.
Being in control has changed my life significantly. I don’t worry that I might be causing trauma for my loved ones, I am definitely seen as more approachable. That does not mean im a robot, let people walk over me or much more seldom lose my temper and yell at someone but it takes a whole lot more to get me started and after I am calm I can see the situation objectively and either change my approach if there is still a conflict or drop my resentment if the situation is beyond my control." -- Maria E.
Breaking The Patterns That Re-Traumatize Us
"Turning 30 recently, my romantic life had been a tumultuous whirlwind, characterised by unhealthy and unfulfilling relationships, avoidant tendencies, and a string of casual sexual encounters. It wasn't until I delved into CPTSD that I had a profound realization. While I had undoubtedly endured early traumas, it wasn't the only reason I kept ending up in romantic situations that were re-traumatizing me: IIt was my own behaviors and choices that were perpetuating this cycle of pain and distress.
I took full responsibility for my own recovery, and halted the cycle of self-retraumatization. This allowed me to make better choices, and prioritize my mental well-being and emotional regulation. Finally I'm cultivating a healthy, loving relationship in my life.
" -- Anna R.
Taking Responsibility, Becoming A Real Person
"The concepts of CPTSD and dysregulation opened my eyes. I realized that the weird numb-nausea-hyperactive-sadness-overwhelm that I'd so often experienced was dysregulation, and it was related to early trauma.
I used to be so fake; cheerful, motivated and engaged, until dysregulation would set in and I would seek any excuse to withdraw. Starting the Daily Practice 3 years ago has allowed me realize that I can be a real person. My most recent revelation has been that being real also entails taking responsibility in relationships with others, which means being reliable. I still feel considerable nervousness in “real” social situations. However, the thought that I am on a healing path – in charge myself - is so empowering that I can accept the painful feelings that are not yet gone." -- Rosa
Facing & Healing My Self-Defeating Behaviors
"I've been working on myself, using many of these tools but mostly "facing & healing self-deafting behaviors. I moved back this year to my childhood home to help my elderly parents, who both have CPTSD too. I get so triggered when interacting with them -- especially my mom. I used to point out to my mom what she was doing wrong, and I see now how unhelpful this was - even shaming. I wanted to heal, and I knew that if I were to have any real chance at helping my mom, I needed to stay focused on my behavior only. Now when I start to feel dysregulated, I walk onto the porch and look at my behavior -- my words and actions, and no one else's. I go back in with more control of my emotions and behavior, lifting the situation to a much kinder, caring one." -- L.T.
Blooming Like A Sunflower
"Staying Invisible and feeling judged are classic CPTSD symptoms. No matter what I accomplished in my work or my art, I would feel "not good enough" and the thought of sharing my work with others never crossed my mind. Things turned around when I learned that hiding like that is a self-defeating behavior, that initially provided safety. By using the Daily Practice and working on my ability connect, I bloomed like a big sunflower and now share my talents fearlessly. For the first time, I feel fullfilled and whole and happy connecting inside and outside!" -- Omar M.