I'm Triggered.

When I started off having a conversation with a friend about how I'm doing currently, I started by saying "Well, I've been depressed". They then stated "Is that something that you want to claim? Depression." I said, "You know what! You're right, I'm triggered and I'm working on taking back my power!"

I'm not depressed, I'm triggered!

Our triggers sometimes change over time however, they mostly developed in childhood and remain the same when transition into adult years.

I really had to sit with myself and figure out, what are my triggers. In order to do that I had to think about what happens prior to my body's response. Identifying your triggers isn't something I feel like you can just sit down one time and come up with. Allow yourself time and space to really think about what triggers you and how you respond to it.

I will speak on one of my triggers to provide more context.

Growing up, I was an extremely shy kid like barely spoke or gave eye contact all that.

As I got older, I feel like middle school/high school is when I found my voice. I was more open to talk to people I didn't know already and express myself how I wanted to.

Today, I feel like when I engage with people who, over talk me , ignore me, don't listen to understand, or tell what I'm saying isn't important it triggers me. It brings me back to the space I was when I was that shy kid of feeling like what I had to say wasn't important or wouldn't make sense to people.

My physical reaction is I may shut down, roll my eyes, play with my fingers, twirl my hair, sink in my chair. My emotional reaction is I feel less than, I don't want to talk to anybody/ seclusion.

I would like to respond with understanding, this person I'm expressing myself to may not have the capacity or compassion to understand what I'm trying to express, and it be okay. Or maybe this isn't the person I should be talking to.

However, this is the last set of the process, the most important part is being about to identify your triggers and how you typically respond to them. That way you will be able to recognize when you are in a situation or come across people that can bring your triggers to the surface.

You should then think about boundaries that you can set for yourself to avoid those situations although they can't always be avoided.

AHHHHH, self-discovery and healing are so fulfilling to me and like an AH HA moment! Those moments satisfy me and let me know that I'm doing exactly what needs to be done to be a better me.

So, from this I hope you take some time to ask yourself these hard questions. Give yourself grace and self-compassion as you go through this identifying process.

Feel free to comment one of your triggers (Your emotional and physical body responses)