The Healing Journey: A Personal Path to Wholeness

By:  Katherine Yajure

Healing is not a straight road with clear signs and a final destination; it is a winding, unpredictable journey unique to each person. Some days feel like progress, while others feel like you’re back where you started. Whether healing from loss, trauma, illness, or personal struggles, this process is deeply personal. Some people find comfort in therapy, while others turn to spirituality, creative outlets, or community support. There is no single right way to heal, and understanding that can be a powerful act of self-compassion.

Many wish healing were a simple step-by-step process with a clear finish line. But real healing is messy. According to Dr. Judith Herman, a trauma expert, healing often comes in phases: first, establishing safety, then processing the trauma, and finally, reconnecting with life (Herman, 1992). However, these phases don't happen in perfect order. Life triggers setbacks, old wounds resurface, and some days are harder than others.


The concept of “two steps forward, one step back” is common in healing. Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, a leading psychiatrist in trauma research, explains that our bodies hold on to pain in ways we don’t always understand (Van der Kolk, 2014). This is why healing isn’t just about changing thoughts; it often requires engaging the body, whether through movement, breathwork, or other forms of physical healing.

Because everyone's life experiences, support systems, and coping mechanisms are different, the healing journey will look different. What works for one person may not be effective for another. Some find therapy and counseling, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMBDR), helpful in processing emotion and trauma (Shapiro, 2018). Others turn to creative outlets like journaling, painting, or music to express what words cannot capture (Malchiodi, 2012). Yoga, meditation, and deep breathing help regulate emotions and calm the nervous system (Porges, 2011). For many, relationships and community are at the heart of healing. Dr. Bruce Perry's research shows how human connection can rewire the brain and foster emotional recovery (Perry & Szalavitz, 2017).

The key is to find what feels right for you. Healing isn't about checking boxes; healing is about discovering what helps you move forward, even in the smallest ways. One of the hardest yet most important parts of healing is being gentle with yourself. Dr. Kristin Neff, an expert in self-compassion, reminds us that treating ourselves with kindness rather than harsh judgment helps build emotional resilience (Neff, 2011). It's okay to struggle. It's normal to feel stuck. Healing is not about being perfect; it's about showing up for yourself, even on hard days.

Healing is deeply personal, unpredictable, and full of twists and turns. There’s no “right” way to do it; comparing your progress to someone else's won't help. What matters is taking steps, big or small, toward wholeness. Some days, progress may feel invisible. On other days, a small victory, such as getting out of bed, reaching out for support, or simply being kind to yourself, can mean everything. Healing is not a race. It’s a journey, and every step forward, no matter how small, is worth celebrating.
 
 
References:

• Herman, J.L. (1192). Trauma and Recovery: The Aftermath of Violence from Domestic Abuse to Political Terror.
• Malchiodi, C. (2012). The Arth Therapy Sourcebook.
• Neff, K. (2011). Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself.
• Perry, B.D., & Szalavitz, M. (2017). The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog: And Other Stories from a Child Psychiatrist’s Notebook.
• Porges, S.W. (2011). The Polyvagal Theory: Neurophysiological Foundations of Emotions, Attachment, Communication, and Self-Regulation.
• Shapiro, F. (2018). Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy, Third Edition: Basic Principles, Protocols, and Procedures.
• Van der Kolk, B. (2014). The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma.

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