Healing from trauma can feel like standing at the base of a steep mountain. From down below, the path looks impossible—so far, so high, so exhausting.

Maybe you’ve felt that weight:

• The urge to push through and scramble up as fast as you can, even when your body is pleading for rest.
• Or the opposite—the collapse and desire to quit before you even begin, because the climb feels too overwhelming to try.

And in those moments, two very different voices often show up inside:​
One says, “Just push through—don’t stop, keep climbing no matter what.”​
The other says, “This is too much—I can’t do it. I should just quit.”

All of these responses are deeply human. They come from the body’s protective wisdom, doing its best to keep you safe. But when we get stuck here, it’s easy to swing between burnout and giving up.

What is also true: healing isn’t about conquering the mountain in one giant leap. It’s about listening closely to our body along the way.

Sometimes our body will say, “Pause. Take a breath. Rest.”​
Sometimes it will whisper, “We’re ready to keep going—one more step.”

Neither is failure. Both are signs your body knows how to guide you—if you’re willing to listen.

✨ One Small Step Practice: Ear Vagal Stimulation

Here’s one gentle way to practice listening today. It can offer your system what it needs:

• If you’re feeling shut down, it can gently wake you up.
• If you’re feeling anxious or on high alert, moving slowly can bring calm and rest.

You can do this with one ear at a time or both together:

1. Make a “V” with your pointer and middle fingers.
2. Place the tips of your fingers at the base of your ear.
3. Slowly move them upward so your ear rests between your two fingers.
4. Then slide your fingers back down to the base.
5. Repeat this motion 8–10 times. Up and down. Up and down.
6. Breathe. Notice.

Ask yourself: What is my body telling me right now?

• If it feels grounding, pause when you’re finished and soak in the sensation.
• If it feels activating—more anxious or restless—try tapping gently around your ears or at the base of your ears for 30–60 seconds. Then shake out your hands, take a breath in, and let your exhale be a little longer than usual.
• If it feels somewhere in between, simply notice. How do your fingers feel on your ears? How do your ears feel with your fingers on them? Warm or cool, light or heavy? Just be with what’s there.

Healing doesn’t happen by ignoring or avoiding these messages. It happens when we honor them—step, pause, step again.

Every time you choose one small step—whether it’s this practice, a breath, or a pause—you’re telling your body:
✨ We don’t have to give up.
✨ We don’t have to push through.
✨ We can go at our own pace.

So if the mountain feels steep today, remember: you don’t have to climb it all at once. Just one step. Just one gentle practice. Just one act of trust in your body.

With you on the climb, my friend,

Remember, ❤️

You Matter. Your Healing Matters. You Are Worth It!

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P.S. I have some spots open for a Free Chat w/Cami

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