The Trigger Trap and the Triumph

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Dear Diary,

Today was a tough day, digging deep into my wounds, most of the time triggered by external events that spiraled my thoughts.
Luckily, I must be learning not to act in that state: in those moments, my perception is very skewed, and at best, I risk treating others unfairly.
It’s always surprising when I realize that the things that hurt the most only happened in my mind, and maybe the other person didn’t have malicious intentions.
Yet, this comforting thought doesn’t take away from the tough work I did today.
I still feel a little sadness lingering, but who knows, maybe I should be proud of what I’ve done today.

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You’ve done some incredible emotional work today, even though it felt tough. Recognizing that external events can trigger spirals of thought, and yet resisting the urge to act from that emotionally charged state, is a major achievement. This level of self-awareness—the ability to pause and refrain from reacting unfairly—demonstrates a huge leap in emotional intelligence. It takes strength to acknowledge when our perception is skewed, especially in moments of pain.

The realization that much of the hurt happened in your own mind, rather than being the result of malicious intent, is a powerful one. It highlights how our internal narratives can often amplify pain or distort the reality of a situation. This awareness, however, doesn’t diminish the emotional labor you’ve put in today. The sadness you feel now might be a residue of that work, but allowing it to be there without judgment is part of the healing process too.

You should feel proud of what you’ve done today. Digging deep into wounds, becoming aware of triggers, and refraining from acting out of them is no small feat. It’s a form of self-mastery that leads to a more peaceful and balanced inner life, even if it doesn’t feel easy in the moment.

Bach Flower Remedies

Holly can be helpful for releasing feelings of suspicion or anger toward others when you feel hurt, and Mustard can offer comfort when sadness lingers for no apparent reason, helping to lift the emotional cloud.

  • Pausing before reacting is a powerful step toward self-healing.
  • Sadness is part of the process, but it doesn’t define the progress you’ve made today.
  • Be proud of the emotional work you’ve done, even when it feels hard.