Video Transcription

What trauma can feel like

Imagine carrying a backpack that no one else can see,
filled with everything you’ve been through.
Some days it feels heavier than others.
Sometimes we don’t even realise how much we’re carrying,
or that we are carrying it at all, until it starts to weigh us down.

But over time, with the right support, it can start to feel lighter.

That weight is what trauma can feel like.
While it can take time and everyone’s story is different,
healing is possible and it can bring new strength, connection, and meaning.

Healing doesn’t mean forgetting or getting over it.
It means finding ways to understand what’s inside that backpack,
unpacking what you feel ready to, and gently learning to carry the other
parts differently.

What is trauma?

Trauma is a word that gets used a lot.
Someone might say that “exam was traumatic” to describe a stressful moment,
but what does trauma actually mean?

Trauma is more than a reaction to something hard,
it is a personal response to something distressing that impacts our sense of
safety.

Trauma could be a single shocking event, like an accident, disaster or assault.
Ongoing harm caused by things such as bullying, abuse and neglect.
Painful experiences pass down through families or communities.
Collective experiences like violence, war, colonisation or displacement.

But trauma isn’t just about what happened, it’s about how it stays with us.

How trauma can show up

Trauma can show up in different ways.

Sometimes it’s loud: panic attacks, nightmares, or getting angry.
Often times it’s quiet, like feeling numb, trying to block out difficult thoughts,
avoiding situations, or always feeling on edge.

It can make it hard to trust people to say no or to feel safe in your body.

And the way trauma affects us can depends on many things,
whether we have support, how safe we feel, and the systems around us.

For some of us, experiences like racism, discrimination,
or hardship can add extra layers of trauma.

Healing isn’t linear

Healing from trauma isn’t a straight line or finish line.
It’s a process of reclaiming yourself and reconnecting with what matters most,
maybe for the first time.

You can’t force growth or rush it.
And it’s OK if right now, just getting through is your main focus.

Here are some ways that healing can be nurtured:

Ways healing can be supported

Find meaning through expression.

Many people heal by expressing what they’ve been through through things like
journaling, art, music, or cultural and spiritual practises.

Some find healing in connecting with others who’ve gone through similar things,
volunteering, activism, or simply being there for a friend or
your community.

Reconnect through movement.

Walking, yoga, dancing, swimming, playing sport.
Movement can help you feel grounded and safe in your body.

Nurture yourself.

Sometimes healing looks like rest, breathing with purpose,
or cooking and nourishing meal.
Small acts of care can send a kind message to yourself:
“I’m worth looking after”.

Cultivate hope.

Healing takes time, Having something to work towards and
celebrating small moments of ease or joy.
A day that feels a little easier, a moment of laughter,
a step toward connection.

These small wins are signs of healing that over time grow into bigger change.

The power of connection

Connection can be healing for many people.
Family, culture, faith, community, and identity are powerful sources of
strength.

Healing often happens collectively, with others and through connection.

Reach out to people you trust, friends, family, elders, community leaders,
support groups, and professional supports.

Sharing your story or feelings with a compassionate listener can lighten the
load.
And so can just being in the company of others, doing things you enjoy.

Growing through healing

Over time, you might start to feel more connected,
safer, calmer, stronger.
You might understand others more and feel more understood, have closer,
more meaningful relationships, or appreciate life in a new way.

It could be a deeper connection to your culture or family, a new purpose,
or just a stronger as a version of yourself.

Emerging health professionals sometimes call this Post Traumatic Growth,
a way of describing how healing can bring new insights, strengths or perspectives.

But you don’t have to name it or aim for it.
Healing itself, finding your way to a place of safety and
connection is enough.

If trauma is part of your story, it doesn’t have to define you.
The things you’ve carried can change shape.
Some you may choose to set down.
With time, care, and connection—
new chapters are possible.

One’s filled with meaning, belonging, and hope.

For more information and support, visit headspace.org.au