Sometimes a video crosses your feed that can change your life and provide the key to unlock what has been one of the biggest mysteries of your life… 💡🌈 Now I can reframe my recurrent “what’s wrong with me” bewilderment with more compassion for myself. My trauma doesn’t stem from childhood; it originated within a marriage to a narcissist and raising two children with special needs and their perpetual dysregulation. I’m out of that relationship but repeatedly retraumatized by my children’s behaviors and attempting to co-parent with my ex. I was in survival mode for over a decade and continue to be re-triggered. Learning about the ways to understand and reframe that chapter of my life will definitely empower me to finally get some traction and stop fleeing from health.
In my opinion self-sabotage is a way of proving that even though we are trying, bad things are usually happening to us which is kind of comfortable, saving ourselves from bad surprises. And of course bad things can happen to us from time to time but the basic idea is supposed to be that we are capable to do things in the right way! Thank you for this video 😊
Being raised with a lot of shame and guilt, I was in a perpetual state of freeze where I had no foresight. Therefore I couldn’t set goals or feel any sense of ambition or motivation until in my late 20’s when I chose sobriety. Majority of my 20’s was a pattern of failed friendships and jobs, poor moral compass, living in survival mode essentially. Learning about the nervous system, practicing yoga and doing talk therapy has helped so much to let go of this shame that was placed onto me by my very unhealthy parents that exhibited narcissism and emotional immaturity. My system adapted to the environment of chaos with depression, anxiety and dependency on alcohol. I really wish it didn’t take so long or go through so much hardship to get to this point. Took me a long time to understand why I felt so emotionally shutdown and isolated but when I look at the caregivers and how they cope today, it was a indicator that I had to dive deep into my childhood where it all began.
In reality, it didn’t take you long. Many people continue to struggle with this well into their 50s and 60s before they start to heal on the level that you have. You should celebrate that you started putting the pieces together within that amount of time.
I needed this today ☺️ I’ve explained my situation like this,… Imagine standing, I move my Right foot to the left where I’m excited about going/doing something new, and in a split second, my Left foot steps back, instructing me to fall back in line where I feel ‘Safe !!! At 59, my groove runs so deep, I feel paralyzed to do anything new 😚. I feel restless to get out my old paint brushes and perhaps start a new side business, but my self-sabotaging mentality and perfectionism leads the way to a halt, every time…
@MitziHart, Jen here from Irene's Team. I hear you, those grooves can run deep! Reading your post, Irene's interview with Seth Lyon, her shebang and colleague, came to mind. I'll share a link in case you want check it out. Healing our resistance to making money, exercising, & living in the matrix with Seth Lyon - irenelyon.com/2023/02/08/healing-in-a-toxic-culture-with-seth-lyon/
The older I get, I’m 62 now, the more I realize ‘age’ doesn’t really impact our thoughts/behaviours around ‘this stuff’. It’s engrained, learned, we are moulded by it, as our parents were moulded before us. It is who we are. What we have become. BUT… luckily for neuroplasticity, we CAN reshape ourselves knowing what we now know. I loved Irene’s analogy of the “tire grooves” in the freeway/highway. Yes that is IT! But we are capable of the reconstruction of that path - to level it out. We owe that to ourselves + future generations. 😌👍🏽♥️
I do. Both of my parents were alcoholics who didn't care about me. With an alcoholic, alcohol is #1. Now I catch myself being self- destructive. I will ruin things for myself.
Spot on on that fitness analogy. As a fitness instructor I've clearly seen that pattern. From an IFS perspective, I'd think those protector driven ideas of change is coming from the need to feel good enough through a goal, future, improvement and dopamine driven mindset. However that pathway might burned out just like a bonfire without much stable wood and you only aid gas. A more healthy approach to things like weight loss would come from a more balanced and holistic perspective where ones self esteem for one, wouldn't be so dependant on external results - and that those other protector parts "pulling in the other end of the rope" would calm down. Those other parts seem to block people from ever reaching their goals due to those familiar comfort zones you mentioned and their own strategies to create protection by things like isolation, procastination and/or over eating as a way of self medicating through as hormonal pathway. In reality that of course masks the feelings and symptoms that the person should stay more with and pay attention to. I meet a lot of people who overtrain as well (also to compemsate for overeating in some cases), which to me is just another way of fleeing. Instead of those dopamin and adrenaline taxing fuels, they should work on their traumas and through those probably easy into more "serotonin" driven pathways instead. At least in my mind, I'd link that with being more appreciative of what you've got and who you are. But if you are always on the run (persuit) how can you then grow any roots? This is not to mention the possible "down-up" disruption of peoples own inner serotonin pharmacy.
I would like to say.....maybe you'd address this seperately....but I think it's very connected. Even when you know you have done everything you could to actually NOT sabatage....when the trauma is still stuck even circumstances that are "completely beyond your control" also fall into this category. Stuff that really honestly....just "happens"......as frequently is a result of the hidden trauma. This is sooooo important to my life. Because it's very hard to come to terms with. And it's very spiritual. And others will say self sabotage....BUT.....it's soooo unconscious and so circumstantial......even others behaviour....that you can absolutely have no control over often at play. (and the stories are too long to tell here). And I LOVE the video and your work!.......this is just coming to light in my life. And it's soooo very powerful. Because for years people have been saying.....self sabotage to me. But in many of these cases.....I had been continual working very hard to do well for myself.....BUT.....it's about....... the resulting self esteem issue that sooo just in the fabric of ones personality!! And the resulting lack of love and trust for ones self.
I very much identify. I was trying soooo hard. Had no idea that my unconscious was doing such a number on me. In retrospect, my brain was slowing killing me. And all to keep the system “safe”. Incredible how this works.
@Ellenweiss1, Jen here from Irene's Team. I hear you, trauma can be deeply rooted for sure. We do find that as we learn to listen deeply to and support what happens in the physiology, even these deeply rooted, hard to reach patterns start to shift in time. This interview that Irene did with Seth Lyon, her husband and colleague, came to mind when I read what you shared. Here's a link in case you want to check it out. Healing our resistance to making money, exercising, & living in the matrix with Seth Lyon - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Yebx-llgwYY.html
Back in the day I could control my heart rate and blood pressure by thinking about it. I had brought into my life many narcissists. They have done a-lot of damage. I have been in the desert for 3 years. I am going to get my house back. It is in San Diego.
Thank you Irene for this video. I love it! I am in 21 tune up and i see the difference. Its subtle and powerful at the same time. All whar you have mentioned here makes so much sense to me. Just wanted to send my gratitude ❤
My abuser says I'm my own worst enemy. But they sre. And the things they complain about, my migraines, procrastinating, starting projects and not finishing them, clutter; turns out he caused them all. Who cares what he says. He's a liar. And if i were so awful, why does he claim my accomplishments as his own? Why does he pretend to be me?
9:38 why? 12:28 I think from 13-16 I was always either doing chores or was on restriction. Certainly did not deserve joy. My mom just confessed to me that she hated turning 40. So, her misery projected onto me, I guess.
This description is exact. Do you also have a video of how after decades of being (coping in societally acceptable ways, like work achievement), still the trapped trauma comes forth like a shot. Is that pattern common?
One question please...I have never heard anybody raise this topic. . . . does fasting assist in any way shape or form when it comes to the release of trapped survival stress? Just looking for anything that can force or speed up this process , although I'm assuming that the speeding up might add additional stresses on your nervous system. If you could kindly advise please, thank you.
@cr8ive128, Jen here from Irene's Team. From a nervous system perspective, fasting will impact people differently depending on what's happening in their physiology. Detailed knowledge about fasting is outside our are of expertise. Irene has done a few interviews with people who focus on topics related to eating and diet. I'll share a few links in case you want to check them out. Why survival-based eating might be keeping you dysregulated, up at night, and irritable. - irenelyon.com/2023/04/30/why-survival-based-eating-might-be-keeping-you-dysregulated-up-at-night-and-irritable/ Returning to our roots. A story of healing and regeneration with Kate Kavanaugh. - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-VvNtUVDpIms.html
Irene, is it possible to focus on self-sabotage and procrastination with specific tools inside the smart body, smart mind program? I am a new alumni. : ) Thank you.
@kimgordoncumbo7890, Jen here from Irene's team. Great question and many of the practices in SBSM can help to transform procrastination and self-sabotage. I encourage you to ask this question on the SBSM site next month when SBSM runs live, and one of the Team Lyon members can offer you more specific info.
I find myself feeling more grounded daily however I also feel pretty numb emotionally… is this how coming out of freeze feels like? I have more energy but no motivation, is weird
@FlowerUruguay, Jen here from Irene's Team. It can feel a bit different for everyone, and what you described could be part of the process of coming out of freeze. It often happens gradually, over time.
@FlowerUruguay, Jen here from Irene's Team. Yes, less tendency to self-sabotage could indicate the nervous system regulation and capacity are growing, and that there may be less stored survival stress inside. Here's a link to where Irene talks about some of the benefits we may see as nervous system regulation grows in case you want to check it out. 9 Key Benefits We Experience When Our Nervous System Is Regulated - irenelyon.com/2018/09/30/9-benefits-nervoussystem-regulated/
I am on the wait list for SBSM and would like to know if it is beneficial for 'gifted' trauma? I imagine that trauma is universal in its effect and that SBSM will help with this but just thought it worth asking.
@violetdoll1111, Jen here from Irene's Team. SBSM teaches you to listen to, work with, and support what's happening in your physiology in deep and efficacious ways. This enables you to work with many types of trauma and experiences, and yes, this would likely include 'gifted' trauma too. If you're not already a 21 Day Nervous System Tune Up course member, I also wanted to make sure you know about that course too. It's an online self-study course where you can learn basic nervous system education and practice. The content is culled from SBSM, so it can be a great way to prepare. The cost of the 21 Day NS Tune Up is also applied to SBSM when you join. I'll share a link in case you want to check it out! 21 Day Nervous System Tune Up - 21daytuneup.com/
@@IreneLyon Thank you for your reply. Yes I'm aware of it but I don't have time to do it before SBSM. I'm trying to get on top of things so that I am able to dedicate the time in September.
@superactive8220 Hi there, Susan here from Team Lyon. You can learn more about Irene's upcoming SmartBody SmartMind online course at joinsbsm.com. Registration runs from Sep 12-19, with sessions beginning on Sep 24.
@@superactive8220Hi there, Susan here from Team Lyon. If you register for the 21 Day Nervous System Tune-Up course beforehand, you receive $300US off the registration price of SmartBody SmartMind. Let me share with you some more information about Irene's 21 Day course. It's an online self-study course where you can learn basic nervous system education and practices. You can start at any time, move through the material at your own pace, and have questions about your experience answered by Irene's skilled team of nervous system practitioners. The content is culled from Irene's 12-week SmartBody SmartMind program, so it can be a great way to prepare. Here is the 21 Day Nervous System Tune-Up link for you to check out - 21daytuneup.com/