Unburdening the Past: The Power of Slow Healing
Trauma Unbound Podcast - September 8, 2025
Embracing the Process: Slowing Down for Healing
Today, we continue to delve into the complexities of trauma and recovery, focusing on the essential practice of slowing down. As we navigate this journey, remember to prioritize self-care. This content may be triggering, so take a break whenever necessary, your well-being is paramount.
Slowing Down: A Foundational Step in Healing
In our fast-paced world, the instinct to expedite healing is understandable. The desire to be heard, seen, and freed from trauma's grip can feel pressing. Yet, true healing is not something that can be rushed. It's a gradual unfolding that requires patience, compassion, and a deep understanding of one's own capacities. The process demands us to respect the 'window of tolerance,' a state in which the body can engage with traumatic memories without becoming overwhelmed.
In my experiences and those of many I’ve guided, healing works best when we embrace the saying, "slow is smooth, and smooth is fast." Similar to learning a musical instrument, like the guitar, you must first move slowly, ensuring everything is comfortable and accurate, before you can quicken the pace without faltering. Each part of your story deserves its moment to be heard, understood, and processed.
Creating Capacity for Lasting Change
When you've endured complex trauma, the urge to heal and speed the process can feel like an intense pressure. Recognize that each part of you deserves its own time for healing. This involves creating space: a space to listen, acknowledge, and allow each part to tell its story. The more space you furnish, the more your parts will trust in the process and in you as their guide.
Reflect on Time's Trickery
Time often feels like an illusion—particularly to children or in states of dissociation where perceptions of duration may be skewed. As you progress through healing, remember that these parts perceive time differently. They may feel caught in what seems like an endless loop of pain, eager for relief. It's crucial to bring reassurance and steady, consistent action, affirming to these parts that change is underway, even if it doesn’t appear immediate.
The Art and Preparation of Unburdening
Unburdening—the moment when you're ready to release the weight carried by your traumatic experiences—is a sacred milestone in healing. Approach it with care and preparation. Foster relationships with your parts to deepen trust and create a safe environment for sharing and releasing burdens. Developing a clear plan to guide you through these transformative moments is key. Trust, understanding, and patience will create the safest passage through this rite of healing.
Daily Rituals for Self-Nurturing
Consider how you prepare your mind and body daily—both before bed and upon waking. Checking in with your parts, ensuring they feel seen and addressed, fortifies your internal narrative and maintains a healthy dialogue. By rediscovering your internal rhythm, you grant yourself the freedom to explore your inner landscapes courageously.
Reflect on the analogy of "not putting a horse to bed wet." Just as a horse needs proper care to avoid illness, your internal system needs attention and nurturing to remain robust and trusting. Each moment of connection with your parts, every pause to listen, enriches your capacity to carry out the beautiful and demanding work of healing.
The Inherent Value in Your Path
In what might seem like the darkest of moments, remind yourself of your inherent worth. You are already whole and perfect as you are. There’s no need to earn respect or validation from anyone—including yourself. Each step you take on this healing journey acknowledges your strength and courage.
Healing is akin to learning any new discipline—it takes time, patience, and practice. The more consistent you are, the more you'll observe subtle shifts and eventual transformation. You have everything you need within you, and as you continue to explore and learn about your parts, your efforts and dedication will steer you toward lasting change.
Final Reflections
Thank you for participating in this narrative of healing and resilience. Continue to embrace each chapter you encounter, pausing to reflect and honor your individual journey. Remember to check in with yourself and cherish the process—you're already creating new possibilities for yourself and those who will follow.
Know that your presence here today is significant. By choosing to slow down and engage deeply in your healing, you’re not only transforming your own life, but you are also contributing to a broader movement of breaking cycles and mending past wounds.
Your journey is truly extraordinary, and I commend you for your bravery and commitment. Keep this message close: You are doing the work, and that in itself is a monumental achievement.