Embracing Inner Winter: A Journey of Healing and Empowerment
Last week marked the winter solstice, ushering in the official start of winter—a moment that uncannily coincided with the end of my personal inner winter. To honor this serendipitous occasion, I hosted a mini Instagram Live, where I discussed the physiology of inner winter and shared ways to support nervous system health during menstruation, early pregnancy, postpartum experiences, and menopause. You can watch it here!
A Personal Retreat Amidst Healing
Over the past few years, as I embarked on a profound somatic trauma resolution journey, I chose to spend the holidays in Mexico, along with my husband and our cats. This time away was essential for me to heal deeper attachment wounds and reconcile pain from my childhood that I had carried for far too long.
However, this year, post-solstice, I returned to my hometown with my husband for the first time in some time, ready to celebrate the holidays with my family. We planned a surprise for my mom—a gift she truly deserved after a challenging year. There’s a unique joy in surprises that my siblings and I cherish, and you can see that moment unfold in real-time in this Instagram reel.
Reflecting on Growth and Healing
This visit home left me feeling inspired. During those acute phases of healing my attachment wounds, I never thought a trip like this would be possible again. I took moments to appreciate how far I’ve come, especially the transformative journey between my mom and me. Allowing feelings of gratitude and relief to wash over me, I experienced a deeper layer of healing.
Understanding Implicit Memories
Through my somatic trauma resolution, I've encountered implicit memories from my time in my mother's womb. I discovered that my earliest memories were hers, not mine. I felt her pain—the shame, terror, and grief she carried while pregnant with me. These undigested emotions lingered in my body throughout my life.
Healing my complex post-traumatic stress (CPTS) has involved a deep process of digesting my mother's trauma—an experience she lacked the resources to process before my birth. This journey predates the relational traumas I faced later in life but contributes to the tapestry of my experiences.
Empowerment Through Healing
This discussion is not about shaming mothers for their preparedness before motherhood. That rhetoric no longer resonates with me. Instead, it’s about empowerment, recognizing that regardless of the wounds we're born with, we also possess the ability to transmute that pain into healing and positivity.
CPTS can be pervasive and insidious, often requiring years to heal. I am still on this path, but I have shifted from feeling like a victim of my circumstances to embracing proactive healing practices. I’ve learned to listen to my body and provide it with the nurturing it needs during my inner winter, going beyond self-care into the realm of profound self-love.
Supporting Our Nervous Systems
Healing the female nervous system has become a crucial component of my journey. It has helped me rewire my nervous response from self-protection to self-connection. By aligning with the natural rhythm of our cycles—whether through menstruation or life transitions—we can utilize existing energy to transform grief, shame, anger, and terror into healing.
Because of this holistic approach, I can now recognize and celebrate milestones, such as feeling ready to return home for the holidays and surprising my mom. This experience not only brought joy to her, but also contributed to our mutual healing and that of future generations.
Join the Healing Journey
I feel honored to guide clients on their healing journeys. Together, we are breaking cycles and contributing to a more compassionate world. If you're ready to explore a holistic approach to relational healing, visit my website for information about my one-on-one somatic healing sessions and my upcoming digital course and group program, Inner Temple, which is currently enrolling its first cohort.
Much love and gratitude always. Happy New Year!
