By 
Balanced ME™ with Ayo Lawrence
Journey to Wholeness : Trauma Relief
In my last post, you were encouraged to take time and elicit the Adverse Childhood Experiences you might have gone through from the list provided and like I mentioned, if it is only one you were able to pen down, it was a traumatic event for you, one that should not be trivialized nor overlooked.
Let me expatiate a bit on Trauma.
Trauma is an emotional response to an overwhelming, physically or emotionally threatening event.
I was listening to Dr. Gabor Mate a while ago and he mentioned 2 things that stood out for me:
1. Trauma is not what happens to you; it is what happens inside you as a result of what happens to you - let it sink
2. For people who were raped for instance, the emotions that surrounds the inability to share the experience with anyone is what forms the primary trauma while the rape itself is secondary!!!! This, for me, is profound.
So, what traumatic experiences have you found difficult to talk about and are eating you up? It is time to bring them to the light. Please journal then all, leave none out.
When an event causes psychological and emotional distress such that your daily functioning is hindered, it is time to pause and evaluate.
I know it is sometimes hard to make sense of these events and their aftermath such that healing feels impossible. But you know what, it is possible to let go and heal.
Let us examine some responses to trauma
1. Intrusive or repetitive memories or distressing thoughts
2. Flashbacks
3. Nightmares or trouble sleeping
4. Memory issues
5. Persistent distressing emotions, including fear, shame, rage, guilt, or shame.
6. Anxiety and depression
7. Feeling on edge or easily startled
8. Irritability
9. Isolation or withdrawal from support
10. Dissociation, detachment, or depersonalization
11. Avoidance of thoughts or triggers related to the event
Amazingly, what elicits a trauma response in one person may not produce one in another. This is because as individuals we have varying degrees of trauma reaction.
Some may have acute or shorter reactions and are able to walk through such independently. While others may find it more challenging as such need professional support.
Persons in the 2nd category find it so hard to recover from past deep-seated pains, making letting tough. In some instances, they find it difficult to even understand what has happened to them!!!
But like I said, it is possible to heal and be free, you have the power!!!
Here are some affirmations that may help with trauma relief:
1. I am safe now, and I am strong enough to heal.
2. My past does not define me; I am more than the traumatic experiences.
3. I trust myself and my ability to cope with difficult emotions.
4. I am worthy of love, care, and compassion – from myself and others.
5. I release the weight of all traumatic experiences, and welcome peace and freedom.
6. My body and mind are resilient, and I trust their ability to heal.
7. I am supported and loved on my healing journey.
8. I choose to let go of the past and embrace a brighter future.
9. I am kind to myself as I navigate my healing process.
10. I am capable of growth, change, and transformation – and I embrace it.
Remember, affirmations are most effective when they're personalized and spoken in the present tense, as if the desired outcome has already occurred. Repeat them to yourself regularly, especially when you're feeling overwhelmed or struggling with difficult emotions. You can record them in voice and put on replay.
Keep LIVING, LOVING, LAUGHING and THRIVING.
Balanced ME™ with Ayo Lawrence is about LOVE, LIFE and EVERYTHING in between.
Ayo Lawrence is a beacon of empowerment and a seasoned practitioner in the realm of people and systems organization, known for her adept problem-solving abilities that pave the way for personal and organizational contentment. Aptly titled the “Queen of Premium Family Life Practice” and hailed as the Transformational Coach, Ayo has carved a distinct niche for herself.
She graduated from the University of Ilorin with a BSC in Mathematics, thereafter went on to establish herself professionally as a Counsellor, Coach, and Therapist seamlessly blending her roles as a healing facilitator and educator.
Ayo is a Master Practitioner of Family Systems Engineering from the Institute of Family Engineering and Development, a Canada-trained Addictions and Mental Health Practitioner, a Certified Life Coach, NLP Practitioner and Cognitive Behavioural Therapist from The Academy of Modern Applied Psychology in Scotland, UK, and a Certified Emotional Intelligence Practitioner from The Priority Academy. Her expertise extends to mediating conflicts as a Certified Mediator with specialization in Family Mediation from the International Mediation Campus in Germany.
She harnesses all her tools to guide her clients on a journey towards clarity, healing, wholeness, harmonious, and balanced living. Ayo collaboratively orchestrates and spearheads a multitude of professional counseling and intervention programs alongside her dedicated team. She believes in nurturing the upcoming generation for life and leadership and her personal philosophy embodies the pursuit of a life filled with multifaceted impact, leaving an indelible mark on the tapestry of time with God in the centre of it.
Ayo’s impactful reach extends to the digital realm as well, with her creation of the Balanced ME™ Toolbox and Balanced ME™ Flash cards . She has also chronicled her life's journey from her BIRTH to her BECOMING in her book her memoir titled LIVING-LOVING-LAUGHING, The Balanced ME™ available on Amazon.
