After going through a traumatic experience, it’s normal to grieve. It’s normal to feel as though you’re going through a period of suffering. Many victims of trauma blame themselves and end up feeling guilt or shame for what happened. 

As a result, it can be difficult to find any purpose in your life or what you’re doing. 

But, it doesn’t have to be that way. 

You don’t have to blame yourself for the trauma you experienced, or the struggles you might have in “getting over it”. The reality is, you can find purpose in your life again. You can grow after trauma, and take the reins of your own life once more. 

Let’s take a closer look at how you can make that happen. 

Practice Forgiveness

There might be multiple people to forgive after a traumatic situation. Maybe you were abused by someone, or emotionally tormented by your family. Forgiving them for their actions, even if you don’t necessarily say it directly to them, will give you some peace. 

But, if you’re holding onto a lot of your own guilt, forgiving yourself is even more important. Bitterness and anger from any kind of traumatic experience won’t go away on their own. You have to be willing to let them go. Don’t just speak words of forgiveness; mean them. 

Recognize How Strong You Are

A traumatic event can leave anyone feeling weak and scared. But, look at yourself. You survived that event, one way or another. You might feel as though you have lasting effects from it, whether physical or mental. But, you got through it. 

Survivors of trauma often have low self-esteem and confidence. When you recognize, however, that you’ve come out on the other side of something traumatic, you can start to realize just how strong you really are. It can boost your confidence and resilience. 

When you start to recognize that strength even more, you can continue to grow and get stronger. Not everyone can get through that type of adversity. No matter how you have handled it in the past, you got through it. It often takes a lot of strength and courage to seek out help. Doing so is a testament to just how brave you really are. 

Finding Your Real Purpose

Once you’ve realized your strength and worth, you might be wondering what your purpose really is. Going through something traumatic can make you feel as though you need a change in identity. While that isn’t always true, you could use that feeling in a positive way. 

Consider the type of trauma you went through. Perhaps your purpose now is helping others who might be struggling with the same things. 

For example, if you were a victim of assault, think about how you can help other victims who may be struggling to move on and grow. If you were abused as a child, connect with others who are having a hard time with the abuse of their past. 

There is nothing more fulfilling than knowing your life and your story can have a positive impact on someone else. Connecting with individuals in that way will let you see your true worth. It will give your life more meaning than you may have ever thought possible. 

It’s not always easy to see any ‘positives’ that can come from a traumatic event. But, if you’re willing to learn and grow, you will not only find peace in your life again, but you’ll take the reins of your own life once more and start to exhibit more control over who you are and how you will continue to move forward. 

Let’s work through your story together. Please read more about trauma therapy and reach out soon for a consultation.