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…rest
Commonly, those with relational trauma struggle to state our needs. Over the years we’ve become so disconnected from our body that even recognising a need is a struggle at times.
We’ve become hard-wired to ignore our own discomfort. So we’re prone to push through and keep going.
Because of this illness can be very difficult to navigate.
Where someone without relational trauma is able to unapologetically prioritise rest when they need it, we do not.
Where someone without relational trauma is able to advocate for themselves and state their need to rest, we do not.
Where someone without relational trauma will take care of themselves because deep down they know they are worthy and deserving of rest, we do not.
The outcome of our inability to prioritise rest is painful…
– Our body cannot repair and healing is protracted
– We deepen our level of self-mistrust (because we don not self-care)
– We become resentful at the world and those around us (because they’re not meeting our unstated needs)
– We reinforce the inner beliefs that we have to keep going, that we are alone, that we do not deserve rest and that we must do more.
Freedom from relational trauma requires us to slowly do things differently (i.e. break old subconscious patterns) and nowhere is this more important than in our own self-care.
If you’re unwell this week, give yourself permission to rest. Give yourself the tender loving care that you deserve.
And I promise I’ll do the same.
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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.
