Avoidance: It’s More Than Just Triggers
- Many people experiencing grief, infertility, loss, or prolonged stress quietly withdraw from family gatherings, holidays, baby showers, weddings, and even casual get-togethers.
- However, when fertility treatment or stress continues for years, loneliness and isolation can emerge, creating a different kind of strain.But for many, that's not the whole picture.
- Frequently enough, beneath the desire to avoid triggers lies a deeper question: Is it the event itself that feels overwhelming, or is it the fear of what that...
Many people experiencing grief, infertility, loss, or prolonged stress quietly withdraw from family gatherings, holidays, baby showers, weddings, and even casual get-togethers. They often explain this as wanting to avoid triggers – and that’s valid. Triggers are real, and the emotional pain can be intense and long-lasting. Stepping back can genuinely feel like self-care.
However, when fertility treatment or stress continues for years, loneliness and isolation can emerge, creating a different kind of strain.But for many, that’s not the whole picture.
Frequently enough, beneath the desire to avoid triggers lies a deeper question: Is it the event itself that feels overwhelming, or is it the fear of what that event might awaken within you?
Feeling unsure of your ability to cope with the aftermath can be difficult. It’s not just the emotions themselves, but where your mind goes next. Thoughts spiral – into feelings of failure, inadequacy, or unfairness. Once your mind fixates on these negative beliefs, it’s hard to break free. You start seeking evidence to support them, dwelling on them, and letting them consume you. That’s why avoidance can feel like relief; it minimizes the risk of emotional distress.
Beneath Avoidance
What’s truly being tested in these moments is your confidence in your own emotional strength. Can you trust yourself to navigate whatever internal experience might arise?
