Over the years, I've slowly learned from T how to get through things. I don't know if he ever said "treehouse, do this and this and this", but just through his helping me in session (and out, sometimes) I've absorbed some stuff.

I think that what works is different for everyone. For me, the thing that works the best is going outside. Seeing the big sky, and the trees, and the earth grounds me, and puts things in perspective. Sometimes having walls around me makes me feel SO trapped with my thoughts and feelings.

Mindfulness helps. I look around and name things. "I see a stuffed bear. I see a fan. I see a clock". It brings me to the present.

I try to remind myself that the trauma isn't happening now. The FEELINGS are happening now, and they suck, but the trauma itself isn't.

And I try to remember that things are ALWAYS changing. No matter how bad I feel now, if I can just wait, things will feel better eventually. I've never been stuck in a feeling forever.

I'm sorry you're having a hard time, ballet girl.