Instead of a spiral though, it felt like I was running around a maze built inside my chest—and all the running just led to a bunch of dead ends.​
My heart was pounding.​
My anxiety level was rising higher and higher.

A part of me wanted to collapse at one of those dead ends, curl up in a ball, cry, and hide…​
but the energy in my chest just kept running—desperately trying to find a way out.

My body was trying to run, and since I couldn’t run from my past, I was running from people in my life now.​
​ People who are my safe people.​
​ People I love and want to stay connected to.

But my trauma doesn’t care about that.
​ It only remembers the past—and that running meant safety.

I knew this in my mind…
but the sensations in my body didn’t want to slow down long enough to get to safety.

​

I’ll share what I did to move this trauma energy through and out of my body, but first…

What about you?​
What does the run—or whatever trauma response shows up for you—feel like in your body?​
Are you able to put words or sounds to those sensations, thoughts, actions, emotions?

​

When I started noticing what was really happening, it didn’t begin with the sensations.
It started with my behavior.

I was withdrawing from my husband and kids.
I was feeling discouraged, full of “not enough” energy.
Everything I did or said felt wrong. My brain was only noticing my failings, feeding me stories about how I was falling short.
The chatter in my head would be silent and then seemingly come out of nowhere and attack.
I just wanted to quit everything.

When I finally paused and asked my body what was up, that’s when the sensations arrived.
My chest - the maze inside, full of anxiety
My throat - a constriction next to my jaw and wrapping around the front of my neck
My breath - uneven, short, raspy and sometimes holding of my breath.

I could ground.​
I could use my tools.​
​ I could return to a sense of safety in my body—
but then it would all come back and I couldn’t get the trauma energy to release.

Sometimes trauma energy moves through us without needing a story.​
Other times, it doesn’t release until part of it is understood.
This time, it wanted to be witnessed.

What I learned about safety this time:

• Some things heal within me, and some heal with support.​
  ​
• I can create safety in my own system, and sometimes my trauma energy wants to be seen by more than me before it lets go.​
  ​
• Another trusted person hearing my voice while I share my experience creates safety.​
  ​
• Being witnessed as I cry allows my body to finally release.
  ​
• Coming back to safety includes being safe with me—and trusting that I can fill the space that’s left with wisdom and love.

🌿 If you ever find yourself in a trauma spiral (or maze), here are four gentle ways to reconnect with your body:

1. Pause and name what’s happening.
   ​ Say it out loud: “My body feels unsafe right now—and that’s okay.”
   ​
2. Locate the movement.
   ​ Where does the energy want to go? Forward? Up? Out? Let your body move slightly in that direction.
   ​
3. Invite support.
   ​ Sometimes, being witnessed helps the body release what it’s been holding. Reach out to someone safe—a friend, therapist, or trusted partner.
   ​
4. End with grounding.
   ​ Feel your feet, breathe into your belly, notice something steady around you.

If you’ve ever found yourself in your own maze—running toward safety but not knowing the way out—maybe this is your reminder:
Safety doesn’t always mean being calm.​
Sometimes it means being seen.​
​ Sometimes it means being with someone who can hold space while your body finishes what it started.
And always a part is learning to trust that your body knows the way home.

🕯️ I invite you to take a few moments today to ask your body:

• What does safety feel like right now?
• Is there anything that wants to be seen, not fixed?

Your body will show you where to begin.

Remember, ❤️

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

​​​​

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