notes on freedom
A weekly email series containing easily digestible morsels of info on relational trauma and how to find freedom from it.
THIS WEEK IT’S A NOTE ON…creating new pathways
Trauma traps us in patterns that are designed to protect us, but in doing so restrict our freedom. Hypervigilance is an example of one of these patterns.
Hypervigilance means we’re constantly scanning our environment (internal and external) for problems and threats. This, of course, means we see more potential threats than someone who is not scanning for ‘potential’ threats.
Over time the incredible magic of neuroplasticity strengthens the pathways that are noticing these threats. This becomes our default.
Of course, when we detect a potential threat (even if the ‘potential threat’ is as minor as our child coming out of school gates two minutes late, or someone not replying to an email) we move into fight, flight. Over time our tolerance to stress gets less and less, simply because it takes less and less to trigger fight, flight.
I understand that I have not painted the prettiest picture so far. But the miracle of neuroplasticity can also be harnessed to help us rebalance how we view the world and this overactive threat perception.
A simple but powerful way to do this is to actively (very very very actively) notice and expand the good, safe things in our body and our environment.
This could look like you noticing how the sofa supports your weight. And this isn’t just garden-variety-noticing, this is super-power noticing. Be in this spot. Feel the sensations. Describe to yourself how this support feels. Pause and expand the feelings of support.
Or perhaps you’re in your garden and you notice a beautiful flower. Don’t scan quickly past it subconsciously looking for a problem. Be with it. Allow the colours to gently meet your eyes. Name it “beautiful, stunning, glorious” in your mind and allow yourself to be here with the flower.
If, as you do this, you’re pulled back to panic, just notice the pull. Even if you can be with these good feelings for just two seconds more, that is the start of something beautiful. Believe it or not, it’s the start of freedom.
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Sarah Woodhouse is a trauma expert, research psychologist and writer who delivers people the knowledge and tools to recognise and overcome self-defeating cycles, to achieve personal freedom and success. Please follow her on Instagram, Facebook or X for all the latest updates.
