You can imagine that really clarified things!
Clients often say to me; “I have to override a part of myself to function in my life, and I can’t do it anymore. I want to get connected to my authentic self and live my life from there. Can you help me do that?”
OVERRIDE: to prevail or have dominance over; overrule
For years, I performed as a professional singer, and I flat out ignored all of the following truths:
- I dreaded the upcoming performances for weeks
- I felt like I was going to the guillotine
- I made my husband miserable with my intense anxiety and self-doubt
- I shook like a leaf on stage under my gown
The part of me that loved to sing and loved the excitement of performing held sway over the part of myself that was utterly terrified.
This is because I had trauma held in my body, in my unconscious. When I stood up to perform, it sent my body into hyper arousal – into overwhelm – into a fight-flight-freeze response. I didn’t know that I had trauma. I didn’t know what was getting in my way. I kept giving it MY BEST, but believe me, it wasn’t sustainable.
I was overriding a part of myself that desperately needed me to pay attention. I didn’t get the memo until 10+ years into developing severe chronic pain. My body was screaming bloody murder because I wasn’t responding to it!
And by the way, traditional talk therapy was useless. USELESS. It didn’t touch it.
Often, to survive, or in my case, to follow our dreams, we override a part of ourselves. We may do what we need to do to function but at a high cost. We lose connection with our passion, with what nourishes us. We lose connection with our own true voice.
NEWS FLASH: You can Slow Down, Embrace Your Vulnerability AND still Realize Your Dreams.
It takes courage, patience, and acceptance. If you think you may have trauma held in your body, you are SURE to be getting in your own way. It’s OK. I suggest you take steps to integrate the part of you that’s hangin’ on for dear life. I promise, it’s worth it.
To learn more about your inner hanger-on-er…Contact me or contact another body-centered psychotherapist. You need someone who can help you access the unconscious. That’s what’s getting in the way. Take Action Today!