Moon & Moss🌑 Shadow Work & Inner Child Healing
Triggers: When a reaction is bigger than the moment
When something small sets off a huge reaction, that's often the shadow waving hello. Triggers are the most common doorway into shadow work.
A trigger is a reaction that's out of proportion to what actually happened: a friend's offhand comment ruins your whole day, or a small delay fills you with rage. The size of the reaction is the clue that something older is involved.
When it happens, try this instead of reacting:
- Pause and name it: "I'm feeling hurt and angry." No judgment.
- Get curious: what exactly set it off? What story did my mind tell?
- Look back: when have I felt exactly this way before?
You don't have to solve anything in the moment. Noticing is the work.
Helps with
- Big reactions
- Recurring arguments
- Understanding yourself
Try this
Next time you're triggered, write one line afterward: what happened, what I felt, and when I've felt it before.
Journal prompt
What reaction of mine surprised me with how strong it was?
This is deep inner territory. If you find yourself in real distress, please reach out to a mental health professional alongside your spiritual practice; the two work beautifully together. In the US, you can call or text 988 any time.
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