Post Traumatic Growth and Self Compassion

10/28/2025

Not everyone experiences post-traumatic growth (PTG)—and that’s okay. PTG is just one possible outcome of trauma. Some people move through recovery or resilience without ever feeling that they’ve “grown” from what happened. Others may be too overwhelmed, too depleted, or simply uninterested in finding meaning in something that caused so much pain.
For me, I’ve found myself a bit obsessed with the idea that befriending my CPTSD is an ongoing, daily practice—a way to transform even the hardest moments into possibilities for growth, compassion, and creativity.

PTG doesn’t have to be a goal or a benchmark. It’s an invitation that some of us feel called to explore and others don’t. Healing takes many forms, and all are worthy.

What does growth mean to you today?

10/26/2025

It’s been over a year since I’ve posted here — and a lot has happened.
When you live with Complex PTSD, life can sometimes knock you off course. Health challenges, relationships, and unexpected changes can all throw the nervous system into survival mode.
But I’m back — softer, steadier, and more curious than before.
Here’s the big news: I just signed a contract with a publishing company to write a book on Yoga Therapy for Complex PTSD. No title yet — but at its heart, it’s about learning to befriend the nervous system and become more resilient toward triggers.
Writing again is part of my own healing. It’s how I calm myself and start the day in creation, not consumption — choosing words over the endless scroll of trauma news.
If you’re here reading this, maybe you’re ready too — ready to turn toward what soothes instead of what startles.
Let’s begin again, together — with self-compassion, curiosity, and hope.
What helps you return to calm when life feels overwhelming?

05/24/2024

There is too much emphasis on PTSD symptoms rather than the growth that comes when we begin to have compassion for what our body, breath, and mind have been through.

Today, I will practice kindness towards myself and trust that as I make healthier choices, my nervous system will settle down and my resilience will step up.

05/13/2024

This week I begin teaching a trauma informed yoga class at https://gfwellness.com/about/

This is one of my greatest passions ! I love serving people who are going through alcohol/substance use disorders! I love educating people about the power of yoga that really supports a person who is learning how to live life without the strategy of addiction!

Addiction is Dis-Ease. Yoga brings EASE!

Addiction Causes a Sense of Lack. Yoga Brings Wholeness.

Addiction is a Disease of Disconnection. Yoga is Union.

So grateful for another opportunity to make a difference in the world of addictions recovery!!

We are a locally run and family focused program offering a concierge style approach to addiction treatment. Nestled in the privacy and beauty of Great Falls,

03/10/2024

This past year has been loaded with medical traumas. Can anyone relate to what that means?

Medical trauma is the experience of traumatic stress as a result of interactions with the medical system, which may include procedures (i.e., surgeries), new diagnoses (i.e., cancer), and professionals in healthcare settings

I have had one diagnosis after the other and tests galore. One thing I keep doing is I don't just blindly accept the doctor's suggestions. I have to breathe, step back and question. I need to gather information. When we have childhood ptsd, we did not have choices especially with the medical world. I was raise in a military family and the military doctors were sadly not trained for any kind of trauma sensitivity or kind bed side manners.

Today, the growth is I pause, I thank the Doctor for their suggestions. I won't be shamed by the medical provider because I googled this medicine etc and I question the side effects. I make the decisions for me and that is how I have to roll to keep me feeling safe.

We befriend our C-PTSD every day...in so many ways especially when it comes to our bodies!!!!

12/24/2023

The other day I was at Trader Joe's. It was crowded and I braced myself and set an intention to flow with ease throughout the store. I didn't realize that I started humming to the Christmas music. Humming is a great way to activate the vagus nerve to signify safety in the body.

Apparently, my humming was loud enough to catch the attention of an employee who was nearby me in the frozen food section. He said, " Come on, aren't you sick of this music?" I said "Oh, am I humming loudly?" He said "Yes." I then shared with him how humming can bring about calmness and peace. I shared the vagus nerve biology with him. He said," well this is a hard time of the year for some people. I think I will hum more - thank you!"

This is another PTG moment. I hummed without knowing and to me this is the body knowing exactly what to do. Thank you to my body today....

Namaste.

12/05/2023

Could you use a little extra helping personal relaxation and encouragement during the winter and holiday season?
Come check out Winter Holiday Support! One email per day to help you through the holidays. Free!
https://members.cptsdfoundation.org/winter-holiday-support-registration

Simply provide your first name and email, and you'll be all set to begin receiving emails for Winter Holiday Support throughout November and December 2023.

12/04/2023

PTG moment:

I recently got a kidney infection that sent me into the ER. I walked into a busy space and began the journey with a curious and noticing mind instead of fear. This was a game changer for me. I was able to stay focused and grounded. I noted that I said thank you a lot to the staff and to the universe for helping me to get out of pain so quickly.

This is a direct result from daily yoga practices that I do to create resiliency in the layers of my being. I move the physical body, I breathe deeply in the energy body and I use affirmations and positivity to help with my negative mind.

It works when you work it.....

Namaste

12/02/2023

Hello friends! I have taken a break from writing here and now I am back with a post traumatic growth story!

Recently, I was not paying attention when I parked my husband's car on a very dark driveway in a place I did not know. I forgot to shift into park so that when I began to get out of the car, it moved forward and all I could hear was my husband standing outside the door scream "stop the car!!" Instead of being a hot headed reactor, which is how my nervous system use to be, I calmly pushed my foot into the brake. Unfortunately, because it was dark outside, I hit the gas pedal and drove his car into the wall.

PTG- I didn't scream at him for screaming at me. I didn't blame him for scaring me to push the wrong pedal. I was quiet, reflective and apologetic. My husband reacted kindly and later on we laughed together. (It helps to surround yourself with people who have calming, resilient nervous systems too.)

I was very surprised that my CNS is more resilient than ever. This means my amygdala is shrinking! Thank you recovery....thank you trauma informed yoga....

Just sharing the journey....

10/12/2023

I’m up early today. My 63 year old heart is beating fast. I just spent the last four days with my 7 year old grandson and left yesterday to drive two hours back to my home.

I think my inner 7 year old is so sad and her heart aches. She needs my loving attention today.

My wise Self shares, “It’s ok to feel sadness. My feelings are valid. I’m not too sensitive. I’m not being dramatic. I’m just feeling —-this is post traumatic growth.”

09/15/2023

Today I was sharing with a friend that I now realize that I inherited a bundle from my dysfunctional family called shame and abandonment.

Here is a reading that has been life changing.
Take what you need and leave the rest:

From ACA Red Book--Chapter 1
Shame and abandonment are two of the most identifiable traits of a dysfunctional home. Among other factors, they are two of the conditions that help produce an adult child whether alcohol or drugs are in the home or not. Adult children from all family types not only feel shame deeply, but we believe we are shame. In some cases, adult-shame is so pervasive that it can paralyze the person’s body and mind. Adult children have described “shame attacks”, which can cause physical illness or an age regression. During age regression, an adult child can feel physically small. Even vision can be affected when shame is released into the body. An intense shame episode can cause room dimensions to appear warped and lighting to appear odd. Many adult children have difficulty fully breathing during these moments.
Abandonment can take many forms. One form is as simple as the parent leaving the child alone without returning. Or it can involve parental perfectionism in which a child’s behavior never measures up. Parents abandon their children when they fail to praise or recognize a child’s true effort to please the parent. Instead most parents are quick to criticize and correct a child’s behavior but rarely find time to praise the child or to build confidence for good choices. As a result, most adult children have a critical parent inside. The critical, inner parent berates or undermines the person at almost every turn. This critical inner parent is a form of self-abandonment.
Shame and abandonment. That is how our dysfunctional families controlled us as children. We came to see our parents as authority figures who could not be trusted.
We transfer that fear to our adult lives, and we fear our employers, certain relatives, and group situations. We fear authority figures or become an authority figure.

Art by Rosa Gunasingha

07/17/2023

Monday morning used to be a huge day of stress for me! Now, it is a source of peace as I took a morning class with a classical yoga trained teacher. I have taken her class weekly for ten years. Today the focus was on the beginner's mind. What are words you would describe to define the beginners mind? Curious, open minded, entering the unknown and mystery with interest....

We experimented with the gyan mudra. This is a hand gesture where you touch the index finger to the thumb. It is a gentle way of pressing into the present moment. What kind of pressure to you use to not let it distract your attention? What kind of pressure to you use to allow the mudra to softly bring you into this moment here and now? Can we balance between the heat and the coolness of life's experiences today with a beginners mind? What would it be like if we were to look at every situation we have been placed in as if it's the first time you are seeing it?

It has been said that to truly embrace the beginner's mind, we must soften our tendency to assume. We are always assuming what our experience will be, assuming we know what we like and what we don't like, and assuming that our view is the same as yesterday. To assume that everything stays the same is to be caught in unrealistic expectations. Everything is in a constant state of flux; everything is impermanent. Beginner’s mind starts with that recognition.