The wound is the place where the Light enters you.
-Rumi

How’s your road to healing going? I have to say, personally mine has been very up and down as of late, the “two steps forward one step back” sentiment. It can be hard to focus on your own healing, while also taking care of your family, but remember, these two things can happen side by side. In this blog, I’ll be diving into things that may be included on your own road to healing, feelings and emotions that may show up on the road to healing journey, and how to best take care of you while on the road to healing.

So, let’s begin!

The road to recovery may include healing from some of the following types of hurt and pain:

1. Physical issues such as a recent injury, illness, medical issues, a new diagnosis, etc.
2. Transitions in life such as getting older (and all the phase of life changes this brings), moving, changing careers, etc.
3. Emotional pain such as the loss of an important relationship, not being able to do your normal activities, feeling disconnected from those around you, etc.
4. Grief and loss such as a miscarriage or pregnancy loss, the loss of a loved one, a break up or divorce, etc.
5. Mental pain such as being too hard on yourself, perfectionism, not feeling like you’re worthy or enough, etc.
6. Spiritual issues such as feeling disconnected from your place of worship, feeling angry at God/the universe as a whole, not being able to do things that fill you up spiritually like traveling to new places or being some place filled with beauty outdoors, etc.
7. Relational problems such as not feeling emotionally close to others, difficulty forming deeper, more meaningful relationships, having trouble setting and maintaining clear boundaries with others, etc.

Did I forget anything here?

What are some of the heightened emotions you may feel on the road to healing? You may experience: grief, sadness, frustration, anger, irritability, anxiety, agitation, shame, loneliness, and disconnection, to name quite a few. The road to healing can make people feel isolated and alone because it’s often a very individual journey. This being the case, it then becomes even more important for you to check in with yourself, figure out what you need/what’s missing and then suck up your pride and ask for help and support from others. Easier said than done, I know!

Here are some ways you can take care of yourself while you’re on the road to healing:

1. Talk to a therapist
2. Focus on gratitude and what you can do here-and-now
3. Process your feelings through writing/journaling
4. Start a daily meditation practice
5. Focus on mindfulness and your five senses
6. Read things that make you happy- fiction, non-fiction, articles online, etc.
7. Watch your favorite shows and movies
8. Spend time outdoors each day
9. Snuggle with your pets
10. Emotionally connect with family and friends
11. Ask others for help and support (and then give back to the world around you when you’re able to again)

Anything else you’d add here?

Probably the most important thing to remember here is that the road to healing isn’t linear; there will, unfortunately, be set backs along the way. Hopefully, knowing, accepting and embracing this fact will help you to better navigate the inevitable ups and downs that you’ll experience on your own road to healing.

Process Grief