You Can Be Self-Aware and Still Triggered
At some point on a healing journey, awareness becomes both a gift and a frustration.
You know your patterns.
You understand where things come from.
You can name your emotions as they arise.
And still… something happens and you feel reactive, emotional, or overwhelmed.
That moment often comes with a heavy thought:
“I should know better by now.”
But self-awareness doesn’t make you immune to being human.
Awareness Doesn’t Erase the Nervous System
Awareness lives in the mind.
Triggers live in the body.
You can intellectually understand why something affects you and still have a nervous system response when it happens. That doesn’t mean you failed to heal — it means your body is responding faster than your thoughts.
Triggers are often stored in:
tone of voice
facial expressions
perceived rejection
loss of control
moments that resemble past stress or hurt
Your body reacts first. Awareness comes after.
That order matters.
Why Triggers Show Up After Growth
Ironically, triggers often become more noticeable after you’ve done healing work.
Not because things are worse — but because you’re more present.
When you’re no longer dissociating, numbing, or pushing through, your system feels safer expressing what it’s been holding. That can make reactions feel sharper at first.
This is not regression.
It’s integration.
The Myth of “I Should Be Past This”
One of the most harmful beliefs in healing spaces is the idea that awareness equals completion.
It doesn’t.
Healing doesn’t remove your history.
It changes how you respond to it over time.
Progress may look like:
pausing instead of reacting immediately
noticing the trigger sooner
offering yourself compassion instead of shame
recovering faster than you used to
Those shifts matter — even if the trigger still shows up.
What To Do When You’re Triggered
The most healing response to a trigger isn’t fixing or analyzing it.
It’s safety.
That might look like:
slowing your breath
grounding your body
stepping away from stimulation
reminding yourself that you’re not in danger now
You don’t need to explain your trigger away.
You need to tend to it.
A Gentle Reflection
Take a moment and ask yourself:
When I’m triggered, do I meet myself with curiosity — or with criticism?
The answer isn’t something to judge.
It’s something to notice.
Closing Thoughts
Being triggered doesn’t cancel out your growth.
It means you’re still human — with a body that learned how to protect you long before awareness was available.
Healing in real life isn’t about never being triggered.
It’s about learning how to stay with yourself when you are.
And that, in itself, is healing.
If you’d like support
If this resonates and you’re feeling called to explore support, I offer Reiki, sound meditation, and intuitive energy sessions through Elevated Karma Wellness. This work focuses on nervous system safety, grounding, and integration — not perfection. You can schedule your private session here.
Questions are always welcome, and private sessions can be scheduled when you feel ready. I also offer private group sessions for up to 10 people in my very private, tranquil studio in downtown Ephrata, PA — for those who don’t want to experience this work alone. For more information or to schedule a private group please contact me here.
