When Trauma Survivors Feel Empty, Numb, or Disconnected With Themselves
Journal Prompt:
How do you feel about yourself now? Can you describe your characteristics, wants, needs, or emotions?
How do you feel in situations? Are you able to recognize different emotions in different situations? (Anger, sadness, joy, pride, etc…)
Do you have feelings of emptiness, numbness, or a disconnect to the feelings you think you should have in a situation? (Not feeling joy when you should be happy, not feeling loved when someone says they love you, or not feeling pride when you accomplish a goal?)
Describe a situation where you think you should have felt a certain emotion, and list the emotions you think you should have felt. (My example of being on the beach, but not feeling happy.)
Can you think of a time that you did feel the emotions you listed in #4? If so, reflect on those feelings, allow your mind and body to feel those sensations to remind you of what it felt like. If you can’t, observe physical sensations, thoughts, urges, and emotions that come up when you are in a situation that you think should produce positive feelings. Allow your soul to open up to what’s happening around you, how people are reacting to you, and the connection with those people.
In future situations when you think you should have that emotion, reflect on what you wrote in #5 to strengthen the feelings you are having then.
Comments