Traumatic Experiences Community Daily Check-in Thursday 7th September 2017

Good morning all!

Its Thursday again! and here I sit with notes on various scraps of paper spread around -each says something that seemed significant at the time.Thinking, how do I put this together, how do I make something coherent out of the pieces. Just as we have fragments from our trauma, that put together in a coherent narrative enable us to heal. And "Love, patience, kindness. This is what we need."

And the next piece from Pete Walker, author of "Complex-PTSD : from Surviving to Thriving" says : 'In my work with clients repetitively traumatized in childhood, I am continuously struck by how frequently the various thought processes of the inner critic trigger them into overwhelming emotional flashbacks.' How to combat the inner critic? Walker says one way is to develop new and helpful 'muscle' with thinking proceses that will automatically kick in on being triggered. Takes loads of positive self-talk and affirmations repeated over and over for this to become effective. "I hold myself in warm positive regard, no matter how I act, think or feel." Another idea he has is to draw on positive images, like former successes and accomplishments, and images of safe and loving places and friends. And he says grieving helps to shrink the inner critic. As we grieve our childhood losses it helps to release the painful feelings.. the shame, the fear, the sadness.And in doing this we are expressing self-compassion....often in healing tears."What cannot be said will be wept."

And then to finish with. "At the end of the day, remind yourself that you did the best you could today, and that is good enough."

How is your Thursday going? How do self-talk and affirmations help you? Do you have a favorite? And any tips for shutting the inner critc up.Or pop in to say hi. Love to hear from you. This is your space and a safe place. x