Elizabeth Woods | CPTSDfoundation.org

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For more about me: https://www.elizabethwoodsauthor.com

Elizabeth Woods grew up in a world of brutal sex offenders, murderers, and inconceivably neglectful adults. Elizabeth is passionate about spreading awareness of what it is like to survive after trauma. She is the author of several books and has written her memoir, telling her childhood story: The Sex-Offender’s Daughter: A True Story of Survival Against All Odds, available on Amazon Kindle and paperback.

Elizabeth is also the author of “Living with Complex PTSD” and the Cedar’s Port Fiction series: “Saving Joshua”, “Protecting Sarah”, “Guarding Noah” and “Bringing Back Faith,” and “Restoring Hope,” available here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BCBZQN7L/allbooks?ingress=0&visitId=7e223b5b-1a29-45f0-ad9d-e9c8fdb59e9c&ref_=ap_rdr&ccs_id=931f96e2-c220-4765-acc8-cc99bb95e8bd

15 Things To Do When Facing Uncertainty

Elizabeth Woods — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Hey, how are you doing today? Are you having a good day or a “not so great day?”

Do you feel valued right now?

In a world where everything is falling apart around us, it’s hard to feel valued. There are too many layoffs and new staff being hired that need training.

You might have those dark thoughts that creep into your head on your commute to work when you are alone in the car. You might be queuing in the grocery store after work one day, and it’s taking longer than it should when those thoughts meander back into your consciousness.

Are you happy right now?

Are you good enough?

Are you wondering if you will be furloughed or laid off next?

When we face uncertainty in life, we naturally turn inwards. We turn to our friends and loved ones to regain our balance. It’s during these conversations and reflections that we start to see things in a different way.

We know there is no point in worrying about things that are out of our control, but if our jobs are on the line, we can’t help it. There’s too much at stake if we are in a position to lose a steady paycheck. It’s hard to see beyond that, and those self-defeating thoughts can worm into our lives. They usually eat away at our self-esteem and confidence.

There are many things you can do to feel better when faced with uncertainty. I’ve faced uncertainty and challenges many times as a trauma survivor and beyond. What I’ve learned is that no matter what, you must keep on living. You’ve come so far to get to this point, and no matter what happens in life , you are in charge of it.

I believe my experience can help you, my readers, to find solace and feel better even if you are having a tough time. I’ve compiled a list of things that I do to feel better.

Here are 15 things to do when you face uncertainty:

Acceptance. Be honest with yourself: say what you are feeling and why. Acknowledging how you feel can help you tackle those emotions. Accept that you cannot please everyone, no matter how hard you try. We all have our imperfections and quirky behaviors. It’s what makes us human beings.
Take care of you first. If you have had a difficult day when the boss has been riding you every moment, recognize that stress. Practice self-care and use grounding techniques and mindfulness. Notice your breath as you breathe out the anger and stress.
Exercise is a great de-stressor. I love going for a swim or a run when I’m stressed. Maybe exercising can benefit you too.
Think of short-term goals that you can achieve when you are feeling overwhelmed. These are things you can control, like your daily routines and home life. Focus on short tasks that you can do straight away to feel a sense of achievement.
Reach out to friends and family. Talk about how you are feeling and voice those emotions out loud.
Stop comparing yourself to others. Everyone has their own path to lead, and yours is unique to you.
Think about your language. How are you expressing the way you are feeling? Can you say what you are feeling in a better, more positive way?

You tell yourself: “I suck at giving work presentations. My colleagues are way better than me.”

Instead, say: “I’m not that great at giving presentations yet because I haven’t had enough practice. My friends are better than me because they have had more time.”

8. Reduce your stress. If something is making you feel anxious like watching the news or sitting in a traffic jam for hours to and from work — avoid them. Turn off the news and go a different route.

9. Think about your happy place. When you are feeling overwhelmed, it can really help to do something that makes you happy. You might have a letter or a positive message that can give you a boost. Notice that feeling? Now harness that and fill up on the joy for a while.

10. Challenge your reality. Let’s face it, life can be unpredictable and uncertain. Think about why you feel this way? What caused it? Is it your interpretation or factual? What would someone else say / do if they were in the same situation?

11. Put your situation into perspective. When we face uncertainty, emotions get in the way. When we are emotional, we can’t think clearly.

My nan gave me the advice “to never go to bed angry.” I didn’t understand her as a child, but I do now. A fresh perspective without emotion does help.

Ask yourself: What’s the worst that can happen? How likely is this to happen?

What are the repercussions? Will it matter in a year / two years / ten years from now?

12. Reframe your thoughts. Think of how you can turn your uncertain situation into something positive. Could there be an opportunity for growth?

13. Past successes to pave the way for your future. Think about what you have achieved so far in life. How far you have come to get to this point.

14. Gratitude and reflection. Think about all the things that you already have. Your qualities and talents. Your family and friends. Maybe a new change would be good for you?

15. Believe in yourself. If you can believe it — you will achieve it. A positive mental attitude can make a big difference to your outlook in life.

I’ve been through many challenges in my life and I’m still here. Sometimes it’s not about the situation itself but how you move on from it.

How will you handle your uncertainty right now?

My name is Lizzy. I’m a trauma survivor, a wife, a mom, a teacher, and an author.

If you like reading my posts, then please follow me.

For more about me: www.elizabethwoodsauthor.com

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I Do… A Wedding Story: How I started my wedding day alone - and gained a new family.

Elizabeth Woods — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Say “I do…”

Three little letters, two little words.

It’s the simplest part of the day.

But there’s nothing simple about the things that will remain unsaid.

I do means I do know I could be hurt. But I’m ready to be healed with you.

It means I do want to try.

Even when the fear of failure holds me back.

And I do not know the future, but I’m ready to be surprised along the way.

And I do means I do want your love and I do give you mine.

And nothing we do will ever be the same.

Because you and I will be doing it all together.

Poem written by Dean Batali. Writer of the Final Episode in TV Series Good Witch, Season 3, 2017.

When I think of weddings, I think back to this poem written by Dean Batali for the final episode of Good Witch. These words have since gone viral online, but there isn’t much credit to Dean Batali for his beautiful words.

A wedding day is a day of joy and happiness for most families. It’s the day of the union of two families. A day to celebrate the love between two human beings.

I was once a bride, but my wedding was a mixed bag of emotions. I’m a trauma survivor, and therefore, no family was sitting in half of the room — the bride’s half.

My husband’s side was packed full to the point of bursting, and our friends didn’t know which side to pick. You can imagine how I felt about that. I experienced a pain so great my heart could almost not take it as I looked back into that room. My side was empty. I was alone. Nobody was there to have my back.

Did I want to go through with this day alone? This wasn’t how I had envisioned my happiest day, celebrating with the love of my life next to me.

After a few awkward minutes, a brave older couple decided to stand in as “my parents,” for the ceremony. Within a minute, people shuffled across to even out the seats between the sides. With a lone tear streaking down my face and blurring my vision, I saw them. One by one, moving across to my side, until the room was evenly filled.

It was a gesture of compassion, for me and for my husband. It was them saying that they accept me for who I am. They showed me they understood my decision to live my life alone, without my family. Until that moment in the ceremony, when they claimed me as one of them. When I was officially married.

Marriage is not something to go into lightly. It takes a lot of patience and learning to work together. To give and take, while being prepared to compromise sometimes.

True love doesn’t turn away when you’re angry. Love is patient, and waiting to heal and comfort when you are in pain.

As a trauma survivor, I had never experienced true love. I had no idea what love meant, and I didn’t know what it was like to live in a normal family. My husband showed me the way when I was lost. He guided me back on the right path when I had nightmares. He has been my rock throughout the years, where we have flourished together. That is love.

I started my wedding day alone, and I gained a new family. From that moment, I have not been alone.

My name is Lizzy. I’m a trauma survivor, a wife, a mom, a teacher, and an author.

If you like reading my posts, then please follow me.

For more about me: www.elizabethwoodsauthor.com

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For more about me: https://www.elizabethwoodsauthor.com

Speak Up or Be Misunderstood: How Communication Can Break Down Trauma Barriers

Elizabeth Woods — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 10:00:00 +0000

When was the last time you had a conversation with a real person, other than at work?

Social skills help us to connect, communicate, and build stronger relationships with people.

Face-to-face communication without smartphones happens less often than it should, as technology slowly takes over our social lives.

People rely on screens for daily life.

How many ways can you think of where you use your phone instead of having a real conversation?

I think you’d be surprised at how much you use a screen–but hey, it’s 2026, and everyone is using technology these days.

You check the weather and the news first thing in the morning. Fifty years ago, people relied on the local newspaper when it eventually came to the door.

Life was much simpler (but slower) back then. People communicated to get their needs met.

Nowadays, we can order anything and have it delivered to our front door.

Want a new kitchen? Sure, you can buy everything online, provided you have all the measurements.

Fancy a takeout for dinner? No problem. Go online, pick your favorite food, and it will be delivered to your door.

I love my cell phone and, yes, I carry one wherever I go — including to work. Teachers communicate both in and outside class to keep students safe. It’s a great tool to safeguard vulnerable students who have cut class.

I’m sure you use your cell at work, too.

Talking to each other in real conversations where we voice our feelings is a skill that many ignore. In a world where everything is available at the push of a few keys, people give up far too easily.

A trauma survivor can often get lost in the system between phones and people. Sometimes it’s impossible to communicate how we feel about something, and we push it away.

Some conversations are not fit for the cell phone. They need a human touch.

Trauma survivors don’t always know how to feel, but we sure as hell (pardon my language) feel it in our bodies because our bodies absorb everything (whether we like it or not).

These “non-feelings” manifest as headaches, stomach upsets, tension, etc. The problem is that those feelings that are pushed aside will never completely go away, and they have a way of showing up when we least expect them to.

I don’t know about you, but I want to be seen for who I am. The real me. I don’t want to pretend that I’m fine when I’m not. I’m sick of pretending and staying silent.

I’m a trauma survivor, and I’m not ashamed to say it out loud. My experiences with trauma can help so many who are struggling every single day.

Do you feel the same? Do you want to be seen and heard, as well?

If you want to be seen for who you are, you need to speak up. You need to tell people how you feel — every day.

If you ignore the need to communicate how you feel, those feelings can become cooped up inside your body just like a pressure cooker uses pressure from steam to cook food.

Eventually, you need to let that “pressure” out before you burst. Otherwise, you might experience an embarrassing “oil spill” of emotions wherever you happen to be. Trust me, it always happens in the worst possible place.

Sometimes, you just need to let the “pressure out.”

I’m a trauma survivor, and even after years of therapy, I still have days when I am triggered.

Trauma triggers are everywhere, and can pop up when we least expect. They can cause havoc in our lives.

When it happens, the last thing we want to do is to talk about it. I know, this is messed up, right?

Keeping complicated feelings inside is the worst thing we can do. As a trauma survivor, I learned to keep my business to myself because I believed that no one would listen.

That is the way I saw my world as a child, and I know many survivors feel the same. It is extremely hard to get out of that learned behavior.

Everything is almost certainly NOT FINE all the time, and people should hear it. Our voices do matter.

You matter.

But if you don’t speak about how you really feel, people will never know or understand you.

In general, we are desensitized by triggering events because they happen all the time. The news is riddled with bad events, people having arguments, and general conflict.

This has become normal.

It should not be normal that our wonderful world has so much conflict, causing billions of people to live in fear and anxiety.

Yet, here we are, and survivors often get lost in the maelstrom as we move through life.

You cannot change the whole world, but you can change your immediate world–and the people you see every day–by speaking up.

All of the “every day” stressors that cause us to be triggered are like little darts being shot from all directions.

One or two darts don’t hurt that much, but more than that, and we feel definite pain. Right?

How do we break the habit of a lifetime and tell people how we feel? Good question.

Well, it is not easy to do, and my advice is to practice. Use the bathroom mirror once you have calmed down from your trigger, and say to yourself:

“I matter, and my voice matters. This is how I feel…. ‘I’m not okay.’”

Practice what you are going to say to the person who triggered you. Share something small about yourself that you might not be certain that you want them to know. I think you will be surprised at the reaction you get. Most people are clueless about how trauma affects people.

I will give you an example of how I shared something about myself that I didn’t feel comfortable sharing. Because now I’m happy that I did.

A few years ago, I worked with two colleagues who were always bickering about stuff, and sometimes, they would use colorful language. The way they spoke to each other upset me, so I told them.

“I really don’t like the way you speak to XXXX; it makes me uncomfortable.”

Both had no idea how I felt, and they made peace (at least when I was around).

One weekend, I had to speak up and tell another mom that I did not like the words she used to speak to her son at football practice, because it was upsetting to my kids and me. It made that mom think about her words, and she is now much kinder (and calmer) with her son and my ears.

A third example is when I tell people that “I am allergic to cream.” This is not exactly true, but as close to the truth as I am comfortable sharing.

I cannot eat cream without feeling physically sick to my stomach because of what happened to me as a child. I do not share those details because they are too personal. By sharing that I’m allergic to cream, people will understand that I react to it in some way–which is true.

Speaking up and telling others how you feel about something can be a game-changer.

Communication is vital for our emotional well-being. It’s not just about talking but also listening–having empathy for someone. It also includes body language.

And while we should not remain silent, it’s also important not to overshare too soon. We want to build on our conversations and grow our rapport with others step by step. We test the waters so that we know that the person we trust with a trauma trigger is going to be supportive.

Of course, how we share is as important as actually sharing. We want to stay calm during problems, whenever we encounter them. It’s much easier to solve conflicts when we are relaxed and clear-headed.

If you need a moment before you speak, then take it.

You can learn to communicate your feelings. Start small, practice and build trust.

I believe in you.

My name is Lizzy. I’m a trauma survivor, a wife, a mom, a teacher, and an author.

If you like reading my posts, then please follow me.

For more about me: www.elizabethwoodsauthor.com

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12 Ways to Take Charge of Your Stress Levels: Easy Steps to Manage A less Stressful Life

Elizabeth Woods — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 10:00:00 +0000

What is stress?

Stress can be defined as a state of worry or mental tension caused by a difficult situation. Stress is a natural human response that prompts us to address challenges and threats in our lives.

Source: https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/stress

Stress happens to everyone at some point in their lives. It depends on the way we live and the situations we encounter. Stress can look very different from one individual to the next, and so will the management of it.

We are all unique in the way we act and respond to situations. The way you manage your stress will differ from your friends’.

Managing and reducing our daily stressors is vital for a healthier lifestyle and well-being.

By managing your stress levels regularly, you will:

1. Learn to cope with stress more easily, such as in situations at work and in relationships.

2. Overcome stress quickly

3. Reduce long-term stress

We face constant daily stressors from the moment we wake up. We manage to shrug off most of them, but some worm their way into our lives. From looking for your lost car keys to finding a parking spot at work. Stress exists everywhere, and it affects all of us.

Stress can affect us in four different ways:

Physical symptoms. (The body)

Head aches

Constant fatigue

Tension in your body (neck and back pain).

Dizziness

Digestion problems/stomach upset

Excessive Acne

Emotional symptoms (Feelings)

Mood swings

Irritability

Anxiety

Apathy

Cognitive symptoms (Brain and focus)

Problems with concentration

Memory

Lack of focus

Brain fog — hard to think clear thoughts

Behavioral symptoms (How we act)

Changes in appetite

Social withdrawal

Use of Alcohol and Drugs

Obsessive behavior

Changes in Libido

Depression

The list could be endless, and we can agree that none of the above are good for us in the long term. You may have felt one or all these symptoms, while someone you know is always having headaches and stomach problems. Everyone reacts differently to stress. Having excessive stress levels is not good for us because it leaves the body in a crisis mode, where our bodies react.

The most important thing that we can do for ourselves is to recognize and manage stress before it becomes overwhelming and interferes with our lives.

Four benefits of reducing your stress levels:

1. Better sleep. When you feel stressed, your body is often tense, and it’s impossible to relax.

2. A better immune system. Stress weakens the body and makes you more vulnerable to sickness. Relaxing can help your body’s natural defenses to stay strong.

3. A regular mood and relationships. Stress can cause you to have mood swings and be irritable to be around. Your attitude can change, and your friends might find it hard to talk to you.

4. Healthy weight management. When you feel stressed, you naturally look for some relief, and that is usually food. We crave sugar and salty snacks when we are feeling down. By reducing your stress, you are also giving your cravings a break.

The risk that excessive stress can lead to:

Poor physical health

Burnout

High blood pressure and heart disease

12 Ways to reduce and manage your stress levels:

1. Get plenty of sleep. Sleep is vital to our health. It’s where our bodies rest and recover from our day.

2. Keep a routine. Keeping a regular routine can help us manage our time better and feel in control of our lives.

3. Connect with others. Talking to friends and family can greatly reduce your stress.

4. Eat healthily. Try to maintain a balanced diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables. Make sure you get plenty of fluids.

5. Exercise regularly. Even walking is a great way to reduce stress. Take the stairs at work instead of the elevator. Park further away from the office and walk the last block.

6. Reduce your time following the news and social media. It goes without saying that we live in turbulent times right now. Watching too much news and social media can increase our stress levels.

7. Practicing Mindfulness and Yoga. Being mindful is the practice of feeling present in the moment without judgment or thought. It allows you to pause and focus on your inner thoughts, feelings, and body sensations.

8. Self-care. Looking after yourself is paramount to your general health. Notice how you feel when you are tired and allow your body to get plenty of rest.

9. Speak up for yourself. If someone is mistreating you, let them know how you feel. Communicating is key to letting people understand you better.

10. Take Action. If something is bothering you. The best way to make it go away is to deal with it.

11. Get Organized. If your world is chaos, the best thing you can do for yourself is to make your home a nice, tidy space where you can relax.

12. Create your own space. A space where you can be alone with your thoughts and feelings without getting disturbed.

The change starts with you. Are you up for the challenge?

My name is Lizzy. I’m a trauma survivor, a wife, a mom, a teacher, and an author.

If you like reading my posts, then please follow me.

For more about me: www.elizabethwoodsauthor.com

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How To Challenge Negative Thoughts: 5 Simple Ways to a more Positive Way of Thinking

Elizabeth Woods — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 11:00:00 +0000

Humans are busy, and our minds are constantly playing tag with knowledge and new inputs. We are bombarded with information overload every day, but sometimes we tune out the noise, and our minds go for a wander elsewhere. Those niggling negative thoughts can worm themselves into your day when you least expect it.

You can have an awesome day, and suddenly your brain goes into negative self-talk:

“You’re not good enough.”

“Everyone’s better than you.”

“It wasn’t meant to be.”

These kinds of thoughts happen to us all the time, and they can shatter our self-esteem and confidence.

In this article, I’m going to take you through some actions to challenge the negative thoughts that will have you back to confidence and self-belief in no time.

Reality check. Literally. I want you to challenge yourself. Those words that you heard in your head are only in your head. Not everyone else’s heads. Look around you and listen to what people are saying to you. What is the evidence of your negative thoughts? Is this fact or fiction?
Point of view. Think about your own perspective, your outlook on life. As humans, we have a tendency to elaborate on situations and make them bigger than they are. Think about your point of view: How will this negative thought affect you tomorrow? Next week? Next month? In a year from now? Is it really that bad? Is it likely to actually come true?
Support network. We are social creatures, and we need people in our lives. Sometimes when we have a problem, it can be helpful to get a second opinion from a trusted friend. “A problem shared is halved,” isn’t that how the saying goes?
Language. Think about how you are talking to yourself. Instead of putting yourself down by saying “I suck at algebra,” try telling yourself, “I’ve not mastered algebra yet, but I’m going to keep trying.”
Your happy place. Think about your strengths and hobbies. The things that make you happy. When you are feeling down, use those activities to build yourself up again. Listen to your favorite music. Go for a forest trail run, or a swim in the ocean. Your energy and smile will soon be playing on your lips again.

As a trauma survivor, negative thoughts are constantly with me. What I’ve learned is that I don’t have to listen to them. They are the product of the voices from my past, and when they threaten my reality, I fight tooth and nail to claim back my self-esteem.

My name is Lizzy. I’m a trauma survivor, a wife, a mom, a teacher, and an author.

If you like reading my posts, then please follow me.

For more about me: www.elizabethwoodsauthor.com

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Echoes in the Rain: You Can Only Get As Wet As Your Skin

Elizabeth Woods — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 11:00:00 +0000

A grey day, followed by a dark night. There was no sunshine here. It was like the sun forgot to extend its rays to this damp place. It was always gloomy and unwelcoming. Nobody smiled and said “hey.”

I wish I had known about this place, but in my haste to run away, I had picked the furthest I could travel with the money I had saved.

I ended up here. The land of no smiles and incessant rain.

I had been walking for hours. Away from them. The rich b*****d who were sitting in their warm house in front of a wood fire. I could see their smug faces as I was forced to leave and not come back until after midnight.

A young girl walking the streets in the dark.

Every night.

What could possibly go wrong?

I had no money. I didn’t know a soul. I was far from home. Where do you go if you have nothing?

I was unwanted. I had always been unwanted. First my family, and now them.

I walked anywhere I could think of, without ending up someplace. It was hard to keep walking without actually ending up somewhere. I kept having to turn around until I learned the layout of the city. The places to avoid if I wanted to live. Took me a few months, but I had come from a much worse place.

I was not going home. Never.

Nobody was going to break me.

I never knew it could rain like this without it being a shower. It never stopped for days on end, torrential like the monsoon season in India that I had seen on TV. This place was far from India. As the months rolled by, the damp cold permeated everything.

Tufts of wet strands of hair covered my ears and stuck to my neck like cold spaghetti, dripping cold water into crevices of my body until every inch and follicle of me was soaked.

I heard my Nan’s voice, “ You can only get as wet as your skin.”

Yeah, that’s warm rain. Not like this. Never like this. I thought to myself as I trod in a deep puddle, and an unpleasant, icy, wet shock entered my left foot with a slosh.

How I missed her and wished she could be here and give me some of her wisdom. I sure could use some of it right about now.

My jeans stuck to me like limp broccoli, with the occasional breeze catching my shins with icy determination. My T-shirt and sweater clung to me like limpets to a stone. Even my shoes squeaked when the rain soaked my soles in the puddles that formed everywhere.

What on earth was I doing in this place? How did I get here?

“Anywhere is better than going back home,” I mumbled. I kept saying it to myself through chattering teeth like a mantra. No matter how much I tried to think about the warm summers of home, my body refused to comprehend what it felt like.

How long had I been walking?

My stomach rumbled, but I didn’t have enough change for food.

How long had it been since my last meal? Two days? I couldn’t remember.

I looked up into the black sky. Rain pelting my face in earnest like tiny wet missiles striking my nose and cheeks. It hurt. Rain shouldn’t hurt, should it? I didn’t know. I had never experienced rain like this before I came here.

A car went by, drenching my lower legs. The third soaking today. I shivered as I watched the tail lights disappear around the corner. “Yeah, you just keep on driving as if I’m invisible, you dumb piece of s**t.”

No one sees the drenched girl.

Some day, I will be somebody. I won’t need to walk in the rain to stay away. Some day I will be wanted by people. Not thrown out like yesterday’s trash in a container.

Some day.

— — — — — — — —

My name is Lizzy. I’m a trauma survivor, a wife, a mom, a teacher, and an author.

If you like reading my posts, then please follow me.

For more about me: www.elizabethwoodsauthor.com

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For more about me: https://www.elizabethwoodsauthor.com

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Living With Trauma: A Life On The Edge

Elizabeth Woods — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 11:00:00 +0000

Living with Trauma is not easy. It can include a daily rollercoaster of emotions, most of which are unwelcome. It feels like being inside a constant washer spin cycle of hurling emotions, as we plunge in and out of trauma memories.

Some days, the nightmares keep us awake all night and haunt us during the day for no apparent reason. It’s like having a perpetual shadow glued to your back, and it won’t leave you alone.

The days when you don’t understand the flashbacks are even worse. Fear sets in, and it makes you feel uneasy.

Have you ever felt that way?

Have you ever stood in a queue in the food market and started to tremble?

I have.

It wasn’t one of my finest moments. It was years ago, and I still remember it because of how I felt.

I had just been to therapy, and it had been a big session with a lot of triggering memories. I should have driven straight home, but I needed some essential items for the following day.

As I stood in that queue with people all around me, I noticed I was hot. My heart decided to run a marathon in my chest, and my body trembled, like a leaf in the wind. My hands were full of items so I couldn’t just leave. The room fell silent all around me, and I felt as if I was right back in my worst moment. I felt his hands around my neck, squeezing ever so gently…

NO — I screamed inside my head and squeezed my knuckles on my items without anyone seeing what I was doing. The loaf of bread came out a little worse for wear, but other than that, my groceries survived my hands. I breathed in and out slowly and focused my eyes on a poster advertising a brand of diapers. I must have read the slogan several times until my brain understood its meaning. I wiggled my toes in my sandals to feel the floor.

Another time, I was at one of my friends’ barbecues. Lots of adults talking, kids running around, music playing from a boom box. Everyone was enjoying themselves. One of the dads went to the kitchen to get a knife to cut some meat, and he walked across the yard towards the grill. Suddenly, my whole world slowed down. All the voices and music stopped, and I froze. All I could do was stare at that knife as it bobbed in a hand that was walking across the yard.

My flashback took me to a very different hand that was walking towards me with a menacing grin. My scream made everyone stop, and it catapulted me back into the present. Someone had turned off the boom box, and everyone stared at me. Our kids were frozen in place.

A familiar voice put his hand on my back, said my name, and where we were. My husband turned me around and held me. His firm body with the familiar smells made me realize where I was, and I was shaking.

After a few minutes, I found myself sitting in a chair with a glass of iced tea in my hand. The music was playing, the adults were talking again, and the kids carried on playing.

These flashbacks can happen anytime to a trauma survivor. It doesn’t matter where you are or who you are with.

Like the turtle, a trauma survivor has to survive the constant cold water showers (triggers) that threaten to consume us. The most important thing is that you have a strategy to cope with them as they happen because they will. There is nothing worse than not being prepared for an emotional onslaught.

My advice to all trauma survivors out there is this.

Have a coping strategy that works for you during the day. I have several that I draw on and use at work and wherever I end up during the day.
Grounding is a great technique that helps get you back to the present moment. Use your senses to ground you firmly back into the present.
Allow yourself to “bail out.” If the flashback isn’t going away, have an excuse ready to leave the room if you are with people.
Time — Always make sure that you are fully back in the present moment before you return to what you were doing. If you need a break, tell someone that you are popping out for a coffee break or something that you can easily manage.
Self-care — This is the big one. You have to look after yourself after a flashback. I know this doesn’t come easy for a survivor, but you have needs. If your body has reacted to a trauma memory, you will not be able to function for a while without some kind of care plan. A glass of water, a snack, a short walk around the office, or maybe close your eyes for five minutes to shake a building headache.

My name is Lizzy, and I’m a mom, teacher, author and mental health blogger. I write for those who don’t always feel that they have a voice. For more about me, my books and articles check out my website: www.elizabethwoodsauthor.com

Support my writing, and buy me a coffee.

Photo by Amanda Phung on Unsplash

For more about me: https://www.elizabethwoodsauthor.com

The Power of Positive Thinking: If You Believe it - You Can Achieve it

Elizabeth Woods — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 12:28:17 +0000

How are you doing? How is life treating you at the moment?

Life doesn’t need to crash completely for you to feel “down on your luck.” A failed promotion, a work project that didn’t go as planned, or a missed opportunity can set you back months.

Maybe the boss is riding you each day for quicker results? Sometimes you just feel undervalued, and you want to throw in the towel.

When things at work feel tense, it’s hard to keep going, and you feel stuck. Sometimes your personal life blows up at the same time. Your husband might have a fall at work and earn himself an expensive trip to the ER.

Your kid breaks an arm at the wrong time of the month, and the insurance deductibles ramp up your spending. Anything can happen to turn a rainy day into a tropical storm.

The saying, “When life gives you lemons — make lemonade,” can leave a nasty aftertaste in your mouth. It’s easier said than done.

Many people live paycheck to paycheck, and it’s not easy to change jobs or routines when money is the driver behind our actions. There is no financial flexibility.

If something doesn’t feel right–then it probably isn’t. That nagging feeling inside tells us we need a change.

Are you paying attention to what your mind is telling you?

Think about your life, and what’s going on.

Are you happy at work? If the answer is no, consider your skills.

What are your strengths? Are you good with numbers, computers, people, or animals? Where do you see yourself in five years?

Think about your ideal job.

What would you like to do for a living?

If your mind is telling you something different from where you work, then maybe you need to start looking for new opportunities.

Pause–Take a mental health day and relax. Where does your mind go when you allow yourself to daydream?

Breathe — deep breathing and yoga are fantastic for regulating your nervous system and unwinding.

Ponder–Think about what you want from your career. Where is your mind taking you?

Choose–Look for job openings and new opportunities. Research a business loan if you are considering starting up your own company.

Do–If you believe it, then you will achieve it. Go for it.

I’m an MFA student, and I will graduate this spring. I should have graduated last summer, but I was forced to delay due to life/work commitments. It turns out that I’m not superwoman, and working full-time while supporting my family is not conducive to studying as much as I want. There simply aren’t enough hours in the day if I want to sleep at some point. Other people in my MFA program can devote more time to their thesis research because they don’t work as much as I do. Some weeks, I’ve struggled to read everything on the reading lists and turn in weekly assignments. I’ve gotten good grades, but I wanted to do more.

Do you ever feel like you want more?

The turning point for me came a few months ago when someone on the program realized that I was under pressure, and asked me the questions that I posed at the beginning of this article.

How are you doing? How is life treating you at the moment? Where do you see yourself in five years?

Imagining yourself in your dream job can do miracles for your mental health. If you can believe that you can achieve your dreams, then you are halfway there. The first step is to believe that you can.

Just one small step.

Once you see a clear step towards your goal, the day-to-day doesn’t seem as demanding.

You can handle everything better because you know that “right now” is not forever.

Your mind is your greatest friend when you think positively about your life. If you start thinking negatively, your mind turns against you, and everything starts to feel very hard and challenging.

Keep your chin up. and think of your goals and dreams.

Where do you want to be in five years? What’s holding you back?

My name is Lizzy. I’m a trauma survivor, a wife, a mom, a teacher, and an author.

If you like reading my posts, then please follow me.

For more about me: www.elizabethwoodsauthor.com

Support your fellow writer:

https://medium.com/activated-thinker/looking-for-a-change-f391e85abbd7

Here are a few links to my articles:

Looking for a Change?

A Search for Identity

https://medium.com/beyond-lines/a-search-for-identity-893df7c970c2

Are You Searching for Peace?

https://medium.com/illumination/are-you-searching-for-peace-cd54d76231c8

Are You Dealing With Burnout?

https://medium.com/illumination/are-you-dealing-with-burnout-374f774141b4

Photo credit: sydney-rae-geM5lzDj4Iw-unsplash.jpg

For more about me: https://www.elizabethwoodsauthor.com