Trusting your internal cues is a vital component of trauma recovery. All too often, our sense of self is lost, pushed aside or numbed when dealing with traumatic circumstances. Yet, this is the most important part of who you are. Your internal guide is your most valuable support. The effect lingers largely because this resource continues to be suppressed, or even the thought of working on regaining our sense of self is difficult. Once you reconnect and reintegrate this part of yourself into your whole being, however, you’ll be able to more readily make decisions that can help you heal.
Remember basic human nature and the basic instinctual reflexes you were born with that tell you whether you’re safe and loved or being threatened and facing danger. This is another vital linkage between the mind and body. When the mind instinctually understands that a situation is unhealthy, the body will become unhealthy. When your mind realizes something is off and you’re feeling unwell, trust your instinctive response to release the burden that is making you feel that way.
Of course, to understand this is happening, you will need to practice self-care and find some quiet time to reflect. When your body is unwell, it will tell the mind that you must figure out why, and when this connection is made, you can then self-correct your affect and move to a better state. Accessing your ever-important internal guide and learning how to use it to navigate decision-making will allow you to remove toxicity and continue pushing ahead in a positive direction.
Abusers are especially adept at ensuring your intuition is gaslighted into submission and remains a foreign entity. This allows them to assert dominance over you and keep you dependent on them. Devaluing victims is an integral part of the abuse process, and this is done both directly and indirectly. Perpetrators love to belittle you and to make you question your own sanity to the point that you self-destruct and engage in maladaptive behaviors. This only strengthens the sadistic bond.
Remember, you know you best and are your most valuable resource. Only by welcoming back suppressed aspects of self through reflection can you fill the void created from chaos and heal in a sustainable way. Take the time to allow yourself to fill this void. It will not happen overnight. Give it time. Eventually, you will feel a sense of wholeness and happiness you likely have not had for a very long time.