How to Overcome Emotional Trauma and Break Free From the Past

Understanding Emotional Trauma: What It Really Is

Well, let’s start with the basics. Emotional trauma is a response to a deeply distressing or disturbing event that shatters your sense of safety or trust. It's not just about the event itself but how your brain and body react to it. It could be anything from the loss of a loved one, a toxic relationship, childhood abuse, or even something less obvious like a public humiliation.

Honestly, I didn’t realize the extent of emotional trauma until I went through something similar. I had this friend, Sarah, who went through a really tough breakup and started shutting everyone out. For months, she wasn’t the same, and it was heartbreaking to watch. It made me realize how deep and long-lasting emotional trauma can be.

The Different Faces of Emotional Trauma

You probably think of trauma as something big—like war, or natural disasters. But trauma can show up in everyday situations too. From anxiety and depression to flashbacks and nightmares, it affects each person differently. And sometimes, you don't even realize that you're holding onto trauma until something triggers it.

I’ll tell you what—it’s frustrating. You go about your life, everything seems fine, and then—bam!—you’re hit with this sudden wave of emotions. It’s like, where did that come from? It's tough to explain, but knowing that trauma comes in different forms can help you understand that your pain is valid, no matter what triggered it.

How to Start Healing From Emotional Trauma

Alright, now that we know what it is, let’s talk about how to actually get unstuck. Here’s the thing—healing isn’t linear. It’s not some magical process that happens overnight. It’s like peeling back layers, little by little, and sometimes it feels like you take a step forward, only to find yourself a few steps back. But trust me, it’s possible.

1. Acknowledging Your Pain

I remember when I first realized I needed to heal—there was this moment when I stopped denying that something was wrong. I’d been carrying around so much emotional baggage that I’d convinced myself I was fine. But deep down, I knew something was off. Acknowledging your pain is step one. It's the hardest step but also the most powerful one.

You need to allow yourself to feel. Cry, scream, be angry, or just sit in silence. It’s okay to not have all the answers. A close friend of mine, Emily, told me once, “You can’t heal if you’re pretending everything is okay.” And she was right.

2. Seeking Professional Help

Look, I know it’s tough to open up, especially when you feel like no one truly understands. But professional help—whether that’s therapy, counseling, or even support groups—can make a huge difference. Talking to someone who isn’t emotionally involved in your situation gives you a fresh perspective.

Therapy helped me break down the walls I’d built around myself. I was always so defensive, always so afraid of getting hurt again. But in therapy, I started to unpack that fear, one piece at a time. Honestly, it was a game-changer.

Building Healthy Coping Mechanisms

Well, this one is tricky. It’s easy to fall into unhealthy coping habits—whether it’s overworking, drinking too much, or avoiding feelings altogether. I’ll admit, I’ve been guilty of all of that at some point. But the key to healing is replacing those unhealthy habits with healthier ones. It takes time, but the results are worth it.

1. Establish a Routine

When you're dealing with emotional trauma, everything can feel chaotic. Establishing a routine can provide some much-needed stability. Even simple things, like waking up at the same time every day or setting aside time for self-care, can help you regain a sense of control. Honestly, at first, it felt like a hassle to follow any routine, but over time, I realized that small rituals gave me the structure I needed.

2. Self-Care: More Than Just a Trend

I know it’s easy to brush off self-care as something that’s just “trendy,” but I’ve learned that it’s essential. Self-care isn’t just about face masks and bubble baths (though they’re nice too). It’s about setting boundaries, saying no when you need to, and taking care of your physical and emotional health. Exercise, sleep, eating right—all of that plays a role. But, self-care is also about giving yourself permission to rest. And trust me, rest is just as important.

The Role of Forgiveness in Healing From Trauma

Okay, here’s a tough one. Forgiveness. I know, I know, it sounds impossible. After everything you’ve been through, how are you supposed to forgive? Well, it’s not about excusing what happened, but about releasing the power that the trauma has over you. Holding onto anger, resentment, or blame only keeps you stuck in the past.

I’ve had moments where I’ve wondered, “Can I forgive someone who hurt me so deeply?” And the answer? Yes, but not for them—for me. It doesn’t happen all at once, but letting go of grudges allows you to start the healing process. I remember, one of my close friends went through a really traumatic experience involving a family member. After years of struggling, she realized that forgiving wasn’t about forgetting—it was about freeing herself from the weight of bitterness.

Trusting the Process and Moving Forward

Honestly, healing from emotional trauma isn’t something that happens on a timeline. There will be days when you feel like you're moving mountains, and other days when you feel like you’ve barely made a dent. But the key is to keep going.

I still struggle with some of the stuff from my past, but I can say that with time, I’ve built a healthier relationship with myself. Don’t rush it. Allow yourself the space to heal. And remember, it’s okay to ask for help when you need it.

You’re not alone in this journey. Trust the process and take things one step at a time.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.