Episode 31:- Breaking Free -Shedding The Mask & Letting Go of Your Pre-Trauma Self

Growing Tall Poppies

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In this solo episode of Growing Tall Poppies, Dr. Nat Green delves into the exhaustion of wearing the "I'm fine" mask after trauma and the unrealistic desire to return to the person you were before your painful experiences. She breaks down why pretending everything is okay is keeping you stuck and disconnected from your true self, and how embracing vulnerability and accepting the new version of yourself is the key to authentic healing.

Dr. Nat also addresses the common but damaging impulse to compare your current self to who you were before trauma, and why it's impossible—and unhealthy—to go back to that version of yourself. Instead, she guides you through the process of accepting and embracing the new, stronger, and more resilient version of yourself that has emerged through your journey.

You’ll learn:

• Why constantly pretending you’re fine drains your energy and keeps you stuck.
• The role of vulnerability in breaking the cycle of isolation and disconnection.
• How trauma reshapes your identity and why you can’t—and shouldn’t—go back to your pre-trauma self.
• Practical tips to let go of the past and step into your authentic self, fully embracing the person you’ve become.

Tune in for an empowering conversation that encourages you to release the weight of the past and embrace your present self with acceptance and pride.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Cost of Pretending: The emotional exhaustion of pretending everything is okay keeps you stuck in isolation.
2. The Power of Vulnerability: Letting down the mask and embracing vulnerability is key to real connection and healing.
3. Why You Can’t Go Back: Trauma changes you, but those changes bring strength, resilience, and new opportunities for growth.
4. Embrace Your New Self: Reclaiming your authenticity involves accepting who you are now and recognizing the gifts that have come from your journey through trauma.

Join the Conversation:

Have you ever felt like you’re stuck behind a mask of pretending?
Do you struggle with wanting to return to your pre-trauma self?
Share your thoughts and experiences with me on social media or email me at [e-mail]

Don’t forget to subscribe to Growing Tall Poppies for more conversations on post-traumatic growth and personal empowerment!

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Intro and Outro music: Inspired Ambient by Playsound.
Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational purposes only. It is not intended to be deemed or treated as psychological treatment or to replace the need for psychological treatment.