Healing Step By Step

Once we start the journey of healing, it’s natural for us to try and want to be healed at the end of a certain time frame. But emotional healing doesn’t work that way. We have to go step by step, stage by stage. Treading with patience and allowing ourselves grace and space!

Those who would climb to a lofty height must go by steps, not leaps.
– St Gregory The Great

Healing Step By Step

In my journey, I’ve discovered these stages of emotional healing, each with its unique significance and value. I’m still working through them, slowly but not always patiently.

Though I’m writing this in the past tense, it’s an ongoing journey. When I try to rush something, it seems like a game of snakes and ladders – I have to start all over again, at times!

Denial: The Beginning of the Journey

My emotional healing journey began with denial. I found it easier to bury my emotions deep within me, thinking they would eventually disappear on their own. Little did I know, this was just the beginning of a long and transformative process.

Grief: Confronting the Loss

As denial started to wear off, I was hit by a tidal wave of grief. It was painful, but it was a necessary step. Confronting the loss, whether it’s the loss of a loved one, a relationship, or something else, is crucial for healing. I allowed myself to grieve, to cry, and to let out all the pent-up emotions.

Anger: Channeling the Fire Within

Anger was the next stage, and boy, did I rage! I felt a mix of frustration, sadness, and resentment. Instead of suppressing it, I learned to channel my anger constructively. This stage empowered me to make changes in my life that were long overdue.

Confrontation: Facing the Truth

Confrontation involved facing the painful truths about myself and my life. It was a time for self-reflection, where I had to acknowledge my role in the situations that led to my emotional wounds. It wasn’t easy, but it was necessary for growth.

Bargaining: Seeking Solutions

In the bargaining stage, I tried to find solutions to my emotional pain. I negotiated with myself, seeking ways to make things better. It was a pivotal moment in my journey as I began to take proactive steps to improve my mental and emotional well-being.

Regulation: Regaining Control

Regulation marked the beginning of my ascent. I started to regain control over my emotions and life. Techniques like mindfulness, journaling, and meditation/prayer became invaluable tools for me during this stage.

Reflection: Learning from the Past

In the reflection stage, I looked back on my journey, appreciating the lessons I had learned along the way. It was a time for self-compassion and understanding, which helped me build a stronger foundation for the future.

Emptiness: Letting Go

Emptiness was a stage of letting go. It involved releasing the emotional baggage that no longer served me. This emptiness created space for something new and positive to enter my life.

Acceptance: Embracing Reality

Acceptance was the turning point of my healing journey. I embraced the reality of my past and the present. It was liberating to let go of the need for things to have been different.

Forgiveness: Healing from Within

Forgiveness wasn’t about absolving others; it was about healing from within. Letting go of resentment and finding forgiveness in my heart was a transformative experience.

Transformation: A New Beginning

The final stage, transformation, was the rebirth of my emotional self. I emerged from this journey as a stronger, wiser, and more resilient person. I had a deeper understanding of myself and the world around me.

My journey through these of emotional healing has been an incredible adventure. It taught me that healing isn’t linear; it’s a process with ups and downs. Each stage played a vital role in helping me grow and find peace within myself. If you’re on a similar journey, remember that healing is possible, and you’re never alone. Embrace each stage, and you’ll emerge stronger, just as I did.

This is Day 6 of My 66-day Journey of Healing Through Writing and Sharing