Whether we're dealing with Big T trauma or Little t trauma, it's important to remember that every journey is unique, and there's no "right" way to heal.
Have you ever noticed how trauma can shape our perceptions and reactions? It's like wearing glasses with a specific tint; they influence how we see the world.
So many folks I work with struggle with hypervigilance. They feel on edge, on guard, and a part of them is always on the lookout for what can go wrong.
The good news is that we can change the lens. It might take time, and sometimes we might need to swap out the glasses a few times, but change is possible.
One way we can start to shift out of our hypervigilance binoculars is through practicing orientation.
Orientation is literally orienting all parts of ourselves to right here, right now, to present day.
There are lots of different orientation practices out there. Here is one of my favorites:
Notice your exits.
Take a moment to intentionally look for the nearest door.
Mindfully notice the shape of the door, the materials of the door, the colors and textures of the door.
Notice the nearest windows.When you’re on an airplane, they always give the long safety talk with the line, “Please keep in mind your nearest exit may be behind you.”
By allowing ourselves to fully turn our necks or twist our bodies to orient ourselves to a window or door behind us, it calms down our overly activated brain that feels trapped and unsafe.
Just like with the door, we can notice the shape of the window.
We can observe the material of the window, the color of the window frame, and we can also turn our attention towards what we see beyond the window.
The trees, the city, the traffic, the animals, etc.
Orienting to our exits and our environment can help to ground all parts in present-day.
Notice if your body softens through this practice, your shoulders melt or your belly deflates.
If your vision feels sharper.
If your heart rate slows down.
It might not.
Just notice.
Remember, healing isn't a straight line; it's more like a winding road with ups and downs. And that's okay.
If you're feeling stuck or overwhelmed, know that you're not alone. Many people feel this way, and there are resources and support systems to help. I'm here to support you on this journey.
May we all practice being where our feet are, right here, right now.
Warmly,
Hannah
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