Trauma healing as permission to know and feel what you do

Healing from trauma amounts to learning that it is okay to know what you know, and feel what you feel. — Bessel van der Kolk (quoted from my notes of an out-loud remark, so maybe slightly paraphrased, hence no " marks)

Nov 1, 2020

> The challenge of recovery is to reestablish ownership of your body and your mind—of your self. This means feeling free to know what you know and to feel what you feel without becoming overwhelmed, enraged, ashamed, or collapsed. Excerpt from book, via wbur.org/hereandnow/201…

Malcolm Ocean 🏴‍☠️ @Malcolm_Ocean · Apr 8, 2021

Also that it's okay to mean what you mean, and not what someone else thinks you meant or should have meant! twitter.com/Malcolm_Ocean/…

May 19, 2021

Malcolm Ocean 🏴‍☠️ @Malcolm_Ocean · Mar 9, 2021

I have an addition to this: healing from trauma also involves learning that it's okay to want what you want. (Not all wants are going to be satisfiable directly without causing others' suffering, but it's still entirely okay for the want to exist.) twitter.com/Malcolm_Ocean/…

May 19, 2021

& that it's okay to love what & who you love

Ms. G 💖 @pragueyerrr · May 18, 2021

any kind of emotional pain i’ve ever felt is a pain that comes from being blocked from expressing my love crushing? can’t gush over them? pain death of a loved one? can’t spend time loving them? pain break-up? they don’t want ur love anymore? pain u can unblock urself tho

May 19, 2021

& that it's okay to enjoy what you enjoy

Malcolm Ocean 🏴‍☠️ @Malcolm_Ocean · Apr 20, 2021

May you find time to catch your breath May you answer a big question satisfyingly May you have the chance to share what you know May you gladly remember something you gladly forgot May you enjoy enjoying things you enjoy enjoying May you experience a vibrant life on your terms

May 19, 2021