Life is like a wild roller coaster ride. It is full of ups and downs, as well as unexpected surprises, both good and bad.

It usually goes a little something like this: You’re at the top of your game, the high point on the roller coaster. Suddenly, you’re thrown forward. You’re quickly gaining speed, flying downward with no end in sight. It’s thrilling. It’s scary. There’s a mix of emotions and feelings.

All in all, these negatives and positives frequently balance each other out.

The universe strives for an energy balance. It’s a constant tug and pulls. All of a sudden, you’re flying back up to the top of that next hill. You’ve forgotten about the last downward spiral. The anticipation and excitement for what is to come have taken over.

Yet sometimes, these positive aspects can be hard to find, especially when your soul has taken a significant hit. Maybe you are healing from a divorce (good or bad - it isn’t easy moving on). Maybe you have recently been fired or laid off from your job. Perhaps you’ve lost someone close to you, by choice or otherwise.

It might feel like someone took your soul and trampled over it. You feel empty, numb, and lost. You’re grasping for direction. There are all types of trauma. This is where the biggest hurdle comes. You can’t seem to move on.

But, you can and you will. Moving on from past trauma is possible. It takes time for your soul to heal, but you’ll get there.

Important Note: If you are really struggling, talk to someone. Find a therapist or a professional that can help you find your path again. Under no circumstances does the following advice replace a qualified therapist who knows you and your situation.

Processing these painful emotions is a challenge. When you are ready, face up to that challenge. Proper mental health care and some soul searching can help get you there.

It’s time to pave the way for healing techniques that will help you address past trauma and guide you toward a better life.

4 Steps to Heal Past Trauma

Step 1: Acknowledge & Accept What Happened

Take the time to recognize what you have been through. Acknowledge that it is causing you emotional pain and distress.

Start simple–say it out loud.

No one has to be in the room, at least not to start. This is for you. Say what happened. Say how you feel. Make the decision and choice to move forward to resolve these feelings.

You could even try a few healing affirmations. Confirm how you feel through them. Then, choose a few to say to empower you. This will help you move on.

And remember, feelings are temporary. They will pass. It takes time to process them. But once you accept them and begin to understand them, things will get better. You can take another step forward and begin the process of moving on.

Step 2: Experience Your Feelings

Acknowledging what happened and accepting it can uproot your previous feelings or intensify them (again, healing affirmations can help you do this!).

Also, talk to someone like a therapist or someone else you trust.

Tell your story. Explain your feelings again and again. Or write about it. Let it all out. Allow this energy space to exist outside of you. It’s the whole “getting it off your chest” idea. And it helps you come to terms with it.

Try engaging in mindfulness every day to soothe your soul and give it that breathing room to finally heal.

Whatever you do, don’t repress your feelings. Bottling it up can lead to a ricochet of emotions and trauma down the road. You deserve better.

Make sure to read: The Health Benefits of Crying

Step 3: Take Action

You have let your feelings out. You’ve worked through them. Now comes the hardest part: taking action and shedding the negativity.

Embrace forgiveness. Learn to let go of any resentment. It’s only harming you and holding you back. Write a letter to those who might have helped you through this time and thank them. Help someone else struggling as you once were.

Action takes various forms. Take responsibility for your part in the experience or situation that occurred. Similar to step 2, you can write about it or paint about it.

Step 3 may overlap with step 2 as you work through your feelings and move forward. Healing is complicated. It takes many different tactics and time to work through it.

Each situation is also very different. We all process our emotions differently. Get in tune with yourself and your emotions. Find what works or discuss it with your therapist or friend.

Ask for help when you need it. That’s what a support system is for.

Step 4: Reintegration

Reintegration isn’t just about becoming part of your life again and re-entering society. It’s about becoming a new and improved you. It’s taking this past trauma and accepting that it is part of your past. The best thing you can do is take something from it.

What did you learn? Who were you then compared to who you are now? Next time, what would you do differently?

Grow from your experience. Learn from it. And walk through that door into a new stage of your life. Become that new person. You are strong, and you have made it through. You survived. Share your growth. Allow others to learn from it as well.

Recovery & Growth is Coming

You’re stronger than you think.

Trauma can take a slice out of your heart and batter your soul. But you can recover. You can also take on other important mental health care strategies to continue your road of continued personal growth and development.

These strategies could include:

Exercise.

Let those endorphins boost your mood and your confidence.

Getting the right amount of sleep.

Your cognitive abilities don’t function as well on little sleep. You need sleep to think clearly and sort through your emotions. Without it, the trauma may seem even worse. Literally, sleep it off. You’ll feel better, and you’ll be more prepared to get through it.

Try to stick to a positive mindset, even when you don’t want to.

Come up with a list of positive affirmations. Say them every day. Know your worth. Positive beats and tunes can also help you in this regard, so create a playlist for yourself to listen to when needed.

Perhaps life feels much more fragile than before.

Use this and spin it to make your life the best it can be. We all go through emotional trauma. It’s okay to break a little. But fight through it, work through it, and come out stronger and better than you were before.

Related article: A Meditation to Move On