I think a really important part of healing from complex trauma is self-care. I am getting better at it bit by bit. I know we really do feel a lot better when we look after ourselves and each other.
Someone posted a link to a video about C- PTSD that talked about the parts of the inner critic and the hurt child. (I can't remember where it is on the forum, sorry, someone else might). In the video the guy said the inner critic is the one we most need to quiet, and develop self-compassion for the hurt child instead. In childhood the inner critic pushed us to be perfectionists or whatever in an attempt to not be rejected or to receive as much care as was possible. The one that says "get those three dishes done" or "those three pages of paperwork so you don't have to do it tomorrow" is running off the old trauma script about being good enough/smart enough/achieving enough/or whatever else so you won't lose care. Or to prevent more abuse. It's an old script trying to "whip the child into shape". Kind of like buck up kiddo, toughen up, be good enough, stop being a wimp. Or whatever particular thing you may have been told.
The inner critic doesn't need to do that now. It's okay to give the child (the tiredness/ the overwhelmed part/the hurting part compassion and care. It's okay to rest when you're tired.
It's okay. The sun won't fall out of the sky and the world will keep on turning. You can rest. You can recuperate. You can recharge. Rest is a gift you can give to yourself. Whenever you want it. It's okay to rest.
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