Feats of Strength 💙 Trauma Healing
@featsofstrength.bsky.social
#cPTSD #recovery ❤️🩹 Recovering from trauma is among the most heroic things we can do. We can heal.
Personal thoughts on mental health & strength training w/a touch of science 🏋🏾🏋🏻
🖋️ scribendo cogito "I think by writing" #lifewriting
Personal thoughts on mental health & strength training w/a touch of science 🏋🏾🏋🏻
🖋️ scribendo cogito "I think by writing" #lifewriting
Pinned
This article helped change my life.
I started lifting weights to combat anxiety, but found it also built a sense of self-worth I never possessed from childhood.
"Weight lifting healed trauma through the felt sense of the mind-body connection, which created a more empowered trauma survivor."
I started lifting weights to combat anxiety, but found it also built a sense of self-worth I never possessed from childhood.
"Weight lifting healed trauma through the felt sense of the mind-body connection, which created a more empowered trauma survivor."
Reposted by Feats of Strength 💙 Trauma Healing
Every survivor grapples with losing hope. For many, hope feels unsafe b/c it meant expecting care that never came.
IMO, recovery starts with curiosity: What do I feel? How does this point to my past? Curiosity doesn’t demand belief in a better future—only attention to the present.
#cptsd #recovery
IMO, recovery starts with curiosity: What do I feel? How does this point to my past? Curiosity doesn’t demand belief in a better future—only attention to the present.
#cptsd #recovery
January 15, 2026 at 5:47 PM
Every survivor grapples with losing hope. For many, hope feels unsafe b/c it meant expecting care that never came.
IMO, recovery starts with curiosity: What do I feel? How does this point to my past? Curiosity doesn’t demand belief in a better future—only attention to the present.
#cptsd #recovery
IMO, recovery starts with curiosity: What do I feel? How does this point to my past? Curiosity doesn’t demand belief in a better future—only attention to the present.
#cptsd #recovery
January 15, 2026 at 5:47 PM
Reposted by Feats of Strength 💙 Trauma Healing
Chronic abuse & neglect as kids means shame & other trauma responses in adulthood don't always feel like imminent crisis - they often feel like our inherent character.
Recovery begins with deep curiosity - especially how the past quietly shapes our everyday choices today.
#cptsd #recovery
Recovery begins with deep curiosity - especially how the past quietly shapes our everyday choices today.
#cptsd #recovery
January 13, 2026 at 9:38 PM
Chronic abuse & neglect as kids means shame & other trauma responses in adulthood don't always feel like imminent crisis - they often feel like our inherent character.
Recovery begins with deep curiosity - especially how the past quietly shapes our everyday choices today.
#cptsd #recovery
Recovery begins with deep curiosity - especially how the past quietly shapes our everyday choices today.
#cptsd #recovery
January 13, 2026 at 9:38 PM
Reposted by Feats of Strength 💙 Trauma Healing
Today's recovery affirmation:
I meet every moment of shame with self-compassion and every moment of doubt with curiosity & encouragement.
I cannot heal everything today, but I can influence small choices & every choice of self-compassion is an expression of trauma recovery. ❤️🩹
#cptsd #recovery
I meet every moment of shame with self-compassion and every moment of doubt with curiosity & encouragement.
I cannot heal everything today, but I can influence small choices & every choice of self-compassion is an expression of trauma recovery. ❤️🩹
#cptsd #recovery
January 12, 2026 at 3:33 PM
Today's recovery affirmation:
I meet every moment of shame with self-compassion and every moment of doubt with curiosity & encouragement.
I cannot heal everything today, but I can influence small choices & every choice of self-compassion is an expression of trauma recovery. ❤️🩹
#cptsd #recovery
I meet every moment of shame with self-compassion and every moment of doubt with curiosity & encouragement.
I cannot heal everything today, but I can influence small choices & every choice of self-compassion is an expression of trauma recovery. ❤️🩹
#cptsd #recovery
January 12, 2026 at 3:33 PM
Reposted by Feats of Strength 💙 Trauma Healing
Many abuse & neglect survivors are extraordinarily patient b/c endurance was the only strategy that reduced harm. If we stay quiet, don’t need too much, don’t disrupt—eventually we’ll be allowed to fully exist.
Taking action isn’t "pushing it," it’s waking up from suspended life.
#cptsd #recovery
Taking action isn’t "pushing it," it’s waking up from suspended life.
#cptsd #recovery
January 11, 2026 at 3:43 PM
Reposted by Feats of Strength 💙 Trauma Healing
If you have the courage to, healing is the most painful, difficult, dark, and unpredictable thing you’ll likely ever do.
But healing is also likely the most liberating, redemptive, rewarding, and best thing you’ll ever do as well.
But healing is also likely the most liberating, redemptive, rewarding, and best thing you’ll ever do as well.
Healing is glamorized as this transforming and restorative thing but the process can be so emotionally taxing.
January 11, 2026 at 12:39 PM
If you have the courage to, healing is the most painful, difficult, dark, and unpredictable thing you’ll likely ever do.
But healing is also likely the most liberating, redemptive, rewarding, and best thing you’ll ever do as well.
But healing is also likely the most liberating, redemptive, rewarding, and best thing you’ll ever do as well.
Many abuse & neglect survivors are extraordinarily patient b/c endurance was the only strategy that reduced harm. If we stay quiet, don’t need too much, don’t disrupt—eventually we’ll be allowed to fully exist.
Taking action isn’t "pushing it," it’s waking up from suspended life.
#cptsd #recovery
Taking action isn’t "pushing it," it’s waking up from suspended life.
#cptsd #recovery
January 11, 2026 at 3:43 PM
🌟"You don’t change important beliefs through exposure."🌟
Years of fear exposure to "heal" my boatload of anxieties did little to help me. It took me a while to figure out I was addressing the symptoms, not the root - my negative self-concept & shame.
#cptsd
useyourdamnskills.com/2026/01/09/h...
Years of fear exposure to "heal" my boatload of anxieties did little to help me. It took me a while to figure out I was addressing the symptoms, not the root - my negative self-concept & shame.
#cptsd
useyourdamnskills.com/2026/01/09/h...
Here’s the thing about exposure treatments for trauma…
If you’re working through your trauma wounds with the help of psychotherapy, there’s a chance you’re going to be told at some point that “exposure” is part of the process. For a long time, va…
useyourdamnskills.com
January 11, 2026 at 4:09 AM
🌟"You don’t change important beliefs through exposure."🌟
Years of fear exposure to "heal" my boatload of anxieties did little to help me. It took me a while to figure out I was addressing the symptoms, not the root - my negative self-concept & shame.
#cptsd
useyourdamnskills.com/2026/01/09/h...
Years of fear exposure to "heal" my boatload of anxieties did little to help me. It took me a while to figure out I was addressing the symptoms, not the root - my negative self-concept & shame.
#cptsd
useyourdamnskills.com/2026/01/09/h...
Reposted by Feats of Strength 💙 Trauma Healing
Survivors can't let the violence of bullies & abusers fool us into thinking our anger is inherently bad or immoral.
Self-compassion opens us to see our past as unjust; anger is a natural response. Anger is a call to protect ourselves, a call to action–we can use it to drive our recovery. ❤️🩹
#cptsd
Self-compassion opens us to see our past as unjust; anger is a natural response. Anger is a call to protect ourselves, a call to action–we can use it to drive our recovery. ❤️🩹
#cptsd
January 9, 2026 at 7:07 PM
Survivors can't let the violence of bullies & abusers fool us into thinking our anger is inherently bad or immoral.
Self-compassion opens us to see our past as unjust; anger is a natural response. Anger is a call to protect ourselves, a call to action–we can use it to drive our recovery. ❤️🩹
#cptsd
Self-compassion opens us to see our past as unjust; anger is a natural response. Anger is a call to protect ourselves, a call to action–we can use it to drive our recovery. ❤️🩹
#cptsd
Survivors can't let the violence of bullies & abusers fool us into thinking our anger is inherently bad or immoral.
Self-compassion opens us to see our past as unjust; anger is a natural response. Anger is a call to protect ourselves, a call to action–we can use it to drive our recovery. ❤️🩹
#cptsd
Self-compassion opens us to see our past as unjust; anger is a natural response. Anger is a call to protect ourselves, a call to action–we can use it to drive our recovery. ❤️🩹
#cptsd
January 9, 2026 at 7:07 PM
Survivors can't let the violence of bullies & abusers fool us into thinking our anger is inherently bad or immoral.
Self-compassion opens us to see our past as unjust; anger is a natural response. Anger is a call to protect ourselves, a call to action–we can use it to drive our recovery. ❤️🩹
#cptsd
Self-compassion opens us to see our past as unjust; anger is a natural response. Anger is a call to protect ourselves, a call to action–we can use it to drive our recovery. ❤️🩹
#cptsd
Reposted by Feats of Strength 💙 Trauma Healing
Men who boast they don't cry don’t express the strength they hope to portray.
It reveals they're terrified of their own emotions. It reveals they learned shame instead of emotional regulation. It reveals they're disconnected from what makes us human. Its performance, not self-mastery.
#recovery
It reveals they're terrified of their own emotions. It reveals they learned shame instead of emotional regulation. It reveals they're disconnected from what makes us human. Its performance, not self-mastery.
#recovery
Let's normalize crying.
Especially for men.
It's a *NORMAL* bodily function, designed to give us relief.
Refusing it is just plain stupid.
Especially for men.
It's a *NORMAL* bodily function, designed to give us relief.
Refusing it is just plain stupid.
January 8, 2026 at 4:34 PM
Men who boast they don't cry don’t express the strength they hope to portray.
It reveals they're terrified of their own emotions. It reveals they learned shame instead of emotional regulation. It reveals they're disconnected from what makes us human. Its performance, not self-mastery.
#recovery
It reveals they're terrified of their own emotions. It reveals they learned shame instead of emotional regulation. It reveals they're disconnected from what makes us human. Its performance, not self-mastery.
#recovery
Men who boast they don't cry don’t express the strength they hope to portray.
It reveals they're terrified of their own emotions. It reveals they learned shame instead of emotional regulation. It reveals they're disconnected from what makes us human. Its performance, not self-mastery.
#recovery
It reveals they're terrified of their own emotions. It reveals they learned shame instead of emotional regulation. It reveals they're disconnected from what makes us human. Its performance, not self-mastery.
#recovery
Let's normalize crying.
Especially for men.
It's a *NORMAL* bodily function, designed to give us relief.
Refusing it is just plain stupid.
Especially for men.
It's a *NORMAL* bodily function, designed to give us relief.
Refusing it is just plain stupid.
January 8, 2026 at 4:34 PM
Men who boast they don't cry don’t express the strength they hope to portray.
It reveals they're terrified of their own emotions. It reveals they learned shame instead of emotional regulation. It reveals they're disconnected from what makes us human. Its performance, not self-mastery.
#recovery
It reveals they're terrified of their own emotions. It reveals they learned shame instead of emotional regulation. It reveals they're disconnected from what makes us human. Its performance, not self-mastery.
#recovery
Reposted by Feats of Strength 💙 Trauma Healing
Trauma responses & triggers hijack our focus on what we're all about, dumping us into old survival patterns.
No shame. Realistic recovery doesn't demand perfection - only Trauma Brain does that. We're in the long game, refocus & re-anchor ourselves in our values and our recovery identity. ❤️🩹
#cptsd
No shame. Realistic recovery doesn't demand perfection - only Trauma Brain does that. We're in the long game, refocus & re-anchor ourselves in our values and our recovery identity. ❤️🩹
#cptsd
January 7, 2026 at 4:01 PM
Trauma responses & triggers hijack our focus on what we're all about, dumping us into old survival patterns.
No shame. Realistic recovery doesn't demand perfection - only Trauma Brain does that. We're in the long game, refocus & re-anchor ourselves in our values and our recovery identity. ❤️🩹
#cptsd
No shame. Realistic recovery doesn't demand perfection - only Trauma Brain does that. We're in the long game, refocus & re-anchor ourselves in our values and our recovery identity. ❤️🩹
#cptsd
Trauma responses & triggers hijack our focus on what we're all about, dumping us into old survival patterns.
No shame. Realistic recovery doesn't demand perfection - only Trauma Brain does that. We're in the long game, refocus & re-anchor ourselves in our values and our recovery identity. ❤️🩹
#cptsd
No shame. Realistic recovery doesn't demand perfection - only Trauma Brain does that. We're in the long game, refocus & re-anchor ourselves in our values and our recovery identity. ❤️🩹
#cptsd
January 7, 2026 at 4:01 PM
Trauma responses & triggers hijack our focus on what we're all about, dumping us into old survival patterns.
No shame. Realistic recovery doesn't demand perfection - only Trauma Brain does that. We're in the long game, refocus & re-anchor ourselves in our values and our recovery identity. ❤️🩹
#cptsd
No shame. Realistic recovery doesn't demand perfection - only Trauma Brain does that. We're in the long game, refocus & re-anchor ourselves in our values and our recovery identity. ❤️🩹
#cptsd
Reposted by Feats of Strength 💙 Trauma Healing
There's a difference between "I am ill" & "I was harmed."
Trauma survivors are not "mentally ill," we've been mentally injured.
This matters. The "illness model" of trauma erases the real cause of our symptoms – we were injured by our environments.
#InjuredNotIll #cptsd #recovery
👇👇👇
Trauma survivors are not "mentally ill," we've been mentally injured.
This matters. The "illness model" of trauma erases the real cause of our symptoms – we were injured by our environments.
#InjuredNotIll #cptsd #recovery
👇👇👇
January 6, 2026 at 3:46 PM
There's a difference between "I am ill" & "I was harmed."
Trauma survivors are not "mentally ill," we've been mentally injured.
This matters. The "illness model" of trauma erases the real cause of our symptoms – we were injured by our environments.
#InjuredNotIll #cptsd #recovery
👇👇👇
Trauma survivors are not "mentally ill," we've been mentally injured.
This matters. The "illness model" of trauma erases the real cause of our symptoms – we were injured by our environments.
#InjuredNotIll #cptsd #recovery
👇👇👇
There's a difference between "I am ill" & "I was harmed."
Trauma survivors are not "mentally ill," we've been mentally injured.
This matters. The "illness model" of trauma erases the real cause of our symptoms – we were injured by our environments.
#InjuredNotIll #cptsd #recovery
👇👇👇
Trauma survivors are not "mentally ill," we've been mentally injured.
This matters. The "illness model" of trauma erases the real cause of our symptoms – we were injured by our environments.
#InjuredNotIll #cptsd #recovery
👇👇👇
January 6, 2026 at 3:46 PM
There's a difference between "I am ill" & "I was harmed."
Trauma survivors are not "mentally ill," we've been mentally injured.
This matters. The "illness model" of trauma erases the real cause of our symptoms – we were injured by our environments.
#InjuredNotIll #cptsd #recovery
👇👇👇
Trauma survivors are not "mentally ill," we've been mentally injured.
This matters. The "illness model" of trauma erases the real cause of our symptoms – we were injured by our environments.
#InjuredNotIll #cptsd #recovery
👇👇👇
Reposted by Feats of Strength 💙 Trauma Healing
At its core, cPTSD is a delusion about who we are & about our worth.
This isn't a “mental illness,” it's the natural outcome of surviving a childhood environment that systematically denied us care & protection.
Healing is a slow rewiring based in a new conviction that we deserve our own love. ❤️🩹
This isn't a “mental illness,” it's the natural outcome of surviving a childhood environment that systematically denied us care & protection.
Healing is a slow rewiring based in a new conviction that we deserve our own love. ❤️🩹
January 5, 2026 at 5:49 PM
At its core, cPTSD is a delusion about who we are & about our worth.
This isn't a “mental illness,” it's the natural outcome of surviving a childhood environment that systematically denied us care & protection.
Healing is a slow rewiring based in a new conviction that we deserve our own love. ❤️🩹
This isn't a “mental illness,” it's the natural outcome of surviving a childhood environment that systematically denied us care & protection.
Healing is a slow rewiring based in a new conviction that we deserve our own love. ❤️🩹
At its core, cPTSD is a delusion about who we are & about our worth.
This isn't a “mental illness,” it's the natural outcome of surviving a childhood environment that systematically denied us care & protection.
Healing is a slow rewiring based in a new conviction that we deserve our own love. ❤️🩹
This isn't a “mental illness,” it's the natural outcome of surviving a childhood environment that systematically denied us care & protection.
Healing is a slow rewiring based in a new conviction that we deserve our own love. ❤️🩹
January 5, 2026 at 5:49 PM
At its core, cPTSD is a delusion about who we are & about our worth.
This isn't a “mental illness,” it's the natural outcome of surviving a childhood environment that systematically denied us care & protection.
Healing is a slow rewiring based in a new conviction that we deserve our own love. ❤️🩹
This isn't a “mental illness,” it's the natural outcome of surviving a childhood environment that systematically denied us care & protection.
Healing is a slow rewiring based in a new conviction that we deserve our own love. ❤️🩹
Reposted by Feats of Strength 💙 Trauma Healing
No one in the history of humankind has ever healed trauma after being told someone else has it worse.
This comparison isn’t healing, its lazy; it only comforts the speaker, not the survivor.
Pain doesn’t dissolve in comparison, it dissolves in validation & shared understanding.
#cptsd #dobetter❤️🩹
This comparison isn’t healing, its lazy; it only comforts the speaker, not the survivor.
Pain doesn’t dissolve in comparison, it dissolves in validation & shared understanding.
#cptsd #dobetter❤️🩹
January 4, 2026 at 6:17 PM
No one in the history of humankind has ever healed trauma after being told someone else has it worse.
This comparison isn’t healing, its lazy; it only comforts the speaker, not the survivor.
Pain doesn’t dissolve in comparison, it dissolves in validation & shared understanding.
#cptsd #dobetter❤️🩹
This comparison isn’t healing, its lazy; it only comforts the speaker, not the survivor.
Pain doesn’t dissolve in comparison, it dissolves in validation & shared understanding.
#cptsd #dobetter❤️🩹
No one in the history of humankind has ever healed trauma after being told someone else has it worse.
This comparison isn’t healing, its lazy; it only comforts the speaker, not the survivor.
Pain doesn’t dissolve in comparison, it dissolves in validation & shared understanding.
#cptsd #dobetter❤️🩹
This comparison isn’t healing, its lazy; it only comforts the speaker, not the survivor.
Pain doesn’t dissolve in comparison, it dissolves in validation & shared understanding.
#cptsd #dobetter❤️🩹
January 4, 2026 at 6:17 PM
No one in the history of humankind has ever healed trauma after being told someone else has it worse.
This comparison isn’t healing, its lazy; it only comforts the speaker, not the survivor.
Pain doesn’t dissolve in comparison, it dissolves in validation & shared understanding.
#cptsd #dobetter❤️🩹
This comparison isn’t healing, its lazy; it only comforts the speaker, not the survivor.
Pain doesn’t dissolve in comparison, it dissolves in validation & shared understanding.
#cptsd #dobetter❤️🩹
Reposted by Feats of Strength 💙 Trauma Healing
Shit, the first half of the holiday season went well, but the last half fell apart. Feeling so disheartened.
Trying to take actions consistent with my values & be kind to myself. Just surviving the holiday season can be so damn tough. ❤️🩹
Trying to take actions consistent with my values & be kind to myself. Just surviving the holiday season can be so damn tough. ❤️🩹
January 3, 2026 at 1:45 PM
Shit, the first half of the holiday season went well, but the last half fell apart. Feeling so disheartened.
Trying to take actions consistent with my values & be kind to myself. Just surviving the holiday season can be so damn tough. ❤️🩹
Trying to take actions consistent with my values & be kind to myself. Just surviving the holiday season can be so damn tough. ❤️🩹
Shit, the first half of the holiday season went well, but the last half fell apart. Feeling so disheartened.
Trying to take actions consistent with my values & be kind to myself. Just surviving the holiday season can be so damn tough. ❤️🩹
Trying to take actions consistent with my values & be kind to myself. Just surviving the holiday season can be so damn tough. ❤️🩹
January 3, 2026 at 1:45 PM
Shit, the first half of the holiday season went well, but the last half fell apart. Feeling so disheartened.
Trying to take actions consistent with my values & be kind to myself. Just surviving the holiday season can be so damn tough. ❤️🩹
Trying to take actions consistent with my values & be kind to myself. Just surviving the holiday season can be so damn tough. ❤️🩹
Reposted by Feats of Strength 💙 Trauma Healing
I used to think “glimmers” were just more toxic positivity in disguise. But they are not about finding “silver linings” nor intended to "change our mindset."
Recognizing glimmers is about increasing our capacity to recognize calmness when we are already calm, to make sensing calmness feel normal.
Recognizing glimmers is about increasing our capacity to recognize calmness when we are already calm, to make sensing calmness feel normal.
December 19, 2025 at 4:48 PM
I used to think “glimmers” were just more toxic positivity in disguise. But they are not about finding “silver linings” nor intended to "change our mindset."
Recognizing glimmers is about increasing our capacity to recognize calmness when we are already calm, to make sensing calmness feel normal.
Recognizing glimmers is about increasing our capacity to recognize calmness when we are already calm, to make sensing calmness feel normal.