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…unconscious disconnection
Childhood trauma locks us into unconscious autopilot – we frequently operate from our triggered unconscious rather than from a place of consciousness awareness and agency.
Because old reactions, behaviours, thought patterns and beliefs are frequently triggered, we find ourselves repeating painful patterns in our lives. But because this is happening subconsciously we’re confused, despairing and overwhelmed by the repetition.
Trauma healing is a process of waking up and becoming aware of what we’re unconsciously repeating in all aspects of our life, but particularly in our relationship with ourselves and with others. We become able to see what we’re doing within our relationships that is old and no longer serves us.
At a top-level, the process of waking-up involves a deepening awareness that our unconscious autopilot and old ways of being (e.g. our lack of presence, overthinking, self-obsession, fears, reactions, perfection, co-dependency, anxiety etc) are keeping us away from true connection and true intimacy.
We gradually come to understand that unconscious autopilot is designed to disconnect us from others to keep us safe, so our relationships cannot flourish while we’re in this old space.
To increase awareness of your own unconscious patterns of disconnection, answer this question…
“When, how and why do you disconnect from those you love, trust or value?
To heal our trauma and our relationships we become increasingly aware of when, how and why we’re moving into unconscious autopilot as a way to disconnect. We also gently practice being embodied and present – aware and awake – when we’re around those we love and trust.
With love,
S. x
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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.
