What Is Trauma and When to Ask for Help?

Trauma is a word that gets thrown around a lot but its meaning is often overlooked or undervalued. For me personally, it was a word I definitely knew and used as a reference toward things in my past but a word that I didn’t often face until I began working with Empower and Shine. I found myself being triggered by projects in domestic abuse and trafficking despite not being in an abusive relationship or ever experiencing trafficking myself. It became clear that if I wanted to help spread awareness and continue working with an amazing cause I needed to dive deeper into my own traumas.

With the New Year, we decided to shift into supporting our partners in their respective specialties while using this website as an expression of ours – spreading love and empowerment to those on their self-love journeys. As much as this journey is full of joy, there is unfortunately a darkness that we have to face to be on it. 

Trauma is more than just a bad experience—it’s a deep emotional wound that can shape how we see ourselves, others, and the world around us. It can come from a single overwhelming event, like an accident or loss, or from ongoing experiences, such as abuse, neglect, or toxic relationships. Trauma doesn’t just live in the past; it can affect our daily thoughts, emotions, and even our physical health. I saw firsthand how working in a highly toxic environment sent my health concerns spiraling into a very scary place. While physical pain can come from many different sources, when I have flare-ups I now know to assess how I am spending my time and the amount of stress I am allowing to enter my life. 

Recognizing Trauma in Your Life

Trauma looks different for everyone. Some common signs include:

• Anxiety, depression, or mood swings

• Feeling numb, detached, or disconnected from reality

• Trouble sleeping or frequent nightmares

• Difficulty trusting others or forming relationships

• Avoiding certain places, people, or situations that remind you of the past – this may even include ignoring certain texts or calls even if the person did nothing wrong 

• Physical symptoms like headaches, fatigue, or unexplained pain

If any of these resonate with you, know that your feelings are valid, and you’re not alone. It is okay and you are doing nothing wrong by feeling these feelings. Healing is possible, and recognizing the impact of trauma is a powerful first step.

When to Ask for Help

Asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s an act of self-love. If trauma is interfering with your ability to enjoy life, connect with others, or take care of yourself, it may be time to reach out. Here are some signs that seeking support could be beneficial:

• You feel stuck in painful emotions or memories that won’t go away

• Your coping mechanisms (such as isolation, overworking, or substance use) are causing harm

• You struggle to maintain relationships or trust others

• You feel hopeless, unworthy, or like you’re “too much” to handle

Healing doesn’t mean forgetting or ignoring—it means finding ways to move forward with strength and self-compassion. Whether it’s therapy, support groups, trusted friends, or holistic healing practices, there are many paths to recovery. We actually like to recommend seeking help even if you don’t feel as though trauma is taking over your life. We all have it, there’s no doubt that it is a massive part of the human experience. Working to actively heal your traumas before they do heavily impact your life is more than okay, again, it is self-love. 

You deserve healing. You deserve joy. You deserve to live free from the shadows of your past. If you’re ready, take that first step—because you are worth it.