How to Identify Your Triggers for Better Emotional Management and Mental Health
Yesterday, at The Brook Church here in Columbia, South Carolina, Pastor Moultrie's subject was triggers. His message served as confirmation for today's blog topic.
Before bed last night, I took a moment to jot down all of my triggers: specific names, words, places, and the emotions they evoke. Reflecting on my recent reactions to these triggers, I realized that while I may perceive my responses as appropriate, they often lean more towards reactions. This realization highlighted a flaw in my approach. Reacting tends to be negative, loud, and exaggerated, lacking substance. Conversely, responding addresses the question or issue at hand, offering a solution.
Recognizing this, I held myself accountable. Simply having no response or reaction doesn't address the trigger itself.
Identifying Your Triggers:
Pay attention to your body and mind's reactions in various environments.
Engage in self-dialogue and open discussions with others about your emotions.
Challenge your own mindset, particularly the pride that often stands in the way.
In my personal experience, confronting triggers and trauma early on has significantly enhanced my ability to cope, even at a young age. Each instance of rejection and every closed door I encounter now serves as preparation, fortifying my faith and resilience to navigate and manage triggers as I grow older.
I take pride in the fact that I've been in and out of therapy since the tender age of seven. I take pride in understanding the feeling of inadequacy, having graduated 87th out of 112 students in my class. I take pride in my resilience, having weathered multiple suicide attempts and still finding the strength to trust in God and persevere. I take pride in acknowledging my struggles, including the tears shed as I dedicated 16 hours of my week during summers to attend Sylvan. I take pride in acknowledging that my upbringing didn't afford me the best relationship with my father, which has influenced the type of men I've dated. This recognition marks a significant step in understanding myself and my relationship patterns, empowering me to make conscious choices moving forward.
Understanding and identifying your triggers is essential for preparing for your future roles as a mother, father, wife, husband, millionaire, and beyond. It equips you with the self-awareness and tools necessary to navigate life's challenges and responsibilities effectively, fostering personal growth and resilience along the way.
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