I have mixed feelings about the word "trigger." I never used it much before therapy. But my T does use it fairly frequently.

I get the sense, from some people I know, that their goal is to avoid triggers at all costs. I do have triggers, but I don't want to respond to them with avoidant behavior. One could spend a lot of energy avoiding triggers. I want to learn why things are triggers for me and overcome my squeamishness/fear/avoidance. I think triggers are good clues to "inside stuff" and can point in the direction of discovery and growth. If I keep getting triggered by the same thing, then that means I haven't healed there yet. I don't think I'll heal by avoiding the trigger. But I'm not sure how to deal with the thing triggering me so that it doesn't trigger me anymore. I guess talk about it in therapy?

Anyway, the reason "trigger" is a word that doesn't always sit well with me is because sometimes I think it can be used it as an excuse for avoidant behavior. "Oh, that's a trigger" (therefore it's OK to never deal with it). It's like calling something a trigger puts it in a "never can be surmounted" category, like being a trigger means forever.

late night babbling