Stop Avoiding Your Triggers
I used to think I was sensitive to nuts. I thought I was sensitive to gluten. I thought I was sensitive to cauliflower. I thought I was sensitive to cabbage.
I tried low FODMAP. I tried the Autoimmune Protocol diet. I tried eating according to my Dosha, my blood type, even my “archetype.”
No matter how many foods I avoided, I still managed to experience bloating & discomfort.
My emotional life mirrored this.
I was constantly meeting people who bothered me in one way or another. This person’s too loud, the other is too selfish. Mary lacked self-awareness, Judith was annoying, Sarah was awkward.
I was constantly going through people, cutting everyone out who bothered me in one way or another.
Eventually, I realized I was making the same mistake in both spheres: I was avoiding everything that triggered me, rather than embracing & investigating the things that triggered me. Let me explain.
Avoiding triggers, whether emotional or physical, can be detrimental to our overall health and well-being. Instead of shying away from discomfort or difficult experiences, embracing triggers as opportunities for growth, healing, and self-discovery allows us to cultivate greater resilience, self-awareness, and holistic well-being. By addressing the underlying causes of triggers and adopting a proactive approach to healing, you can embark on a journey towards greater emotional and physical health and vitality.
Emotional Triggers
Emotional triggers often manifest as intense emotional reactions to certain stimuli or situations. These triggers can point to unresolved trauma or past experiences that continue to impact our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. A person may experience intense fear or anxiety when confronted with situations reminiscent of a traumatic event from their past.
Triggers serve as signposts or trailheads that guide us towards areas in our lives where we have unresolved issues or unhealed wounds. They may surface as painful memories, deep-seated fears, or patterns of behavior that no longer serve us. By acknowledging and addressing these triggers, we create opportunities for healing, growth, and personal transformation.
Instead of avoiding triggers, embracing them as opportunities for self-reflection and growth allows us to explore the underlying causes of our emotional responses. Triggers can serve as mirrors, reflecting back to us aspects of ourselves that require attention, acceptance, and integration. By courageously facing our triggers and working through the associated emotions, we can cultivate greater self-awareness, resilience, and emotional well-being.
For example, I used to be incredibly triggered by thinking that someone was copying me. Anytime I saw someone post, say, or do something that resembled something that I did, I would get so irritated. The modern wellness culture would have encouraged me to ignore the problem, just “think positive.” The more I tried to ignore it, the more it kept happening.
But everything changed when I got curious. I did some investigating while I was in a Blush Academy Neural Rewiring Practice, and I figured out what was happening:
Growing up, there was an incident in my childhood where someone thought I was copying her art work. She got really mad, caused a scene, got the teacher to reprimand me, and I was humiliated.
This experience was so painful & caused so much shame that I repressed the part of myself that ever took inspiration from other people. I convinced myself that copying was the most shameful thing that a person could do.
Because I repressed this part of myself, 2 things happened:
I was completely unaware of all the ways that I actually was copying other people without even realizing it
Anytime anyone copied anyone else, I became incredibly irritated by it
When I acknowledged the trigger, followed it to its root, and was able to process the root, the whole problem disappeared.
I no longer even noticed people copying me, let alone felt any kind of way towards it. The trigger & the emotions disappeared. But I couldn’t get there by ignoring the trigger, I had to follow it to its root.
Physical Triggers
Physical triggers, such as certain foods or environmental factors, can have a significant impact on gut health and overall well-being. While it may be tempting to avoid these triggers altogether, doing so can exacerbate underlying issues and disrupt the delicate balance of the gut microbiome.
Rather than viewing food sensitivities as the primary cause of symptoms, it's essential to consider the role of gut health in modulating immune responses and digestive function. In many cases, symptoms attributed to food sensitivities may actually stem from imbalances in the gut microbiome, such as dysbiosis or intestinal permeability (leaky gut).
Addressing physical triggers requires a holistic approach that focuses on supporting and restoring gut health rather than simply avoiding problematic foods. This may involve incorporating dietary changes, probiotics, prebiotics, and other interventions aimed at promoting gut microbiome diversity, integrity, and resilience. By addressing the root causes of gut dysfunction, individuals can experience lasting improvements in digestive health and overall well-being.
When I stopped cutting foods out, and instead started eating them in low doses, my gut microbiome improved. Which makes sense, given the importance of eating a variety of foods.
Eating a diverse range of foods is crucial for maintaining optimal gut health.
The gut microbiome, comprised of trillions of microorganisms, thrives on diversity. Different types of fiber, found in a variety of plant-based foods, serve as fuel for various beneficial bacteria in the gut. By consuming a diverse array of foods, you provide a broader spectrum of nutrients to support a diverse and resilient microbiome.
On the other hand, elimination diets can disrupt the balance of gut bacteria by restricting certain types of fiber-rich foods that serve as prebiotics. This can lead to a reduction in microbial diversity and potentially contribute to gut dysbiosis, inflammation, and other digestive issues.
Moreover, different foods contain different nutrients essential for overall health. Consuming a variety of foods ensures that you receive a wide range of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other beneficial compounds necessary for proper immune function, metabolism, and overall well-being. Adequate nutrient intake also supports the health and integrity of the gut lining.
Whether it’s a physical trigger, like a food that causes a reaction; or an emotional trigger, like a person or a habit that irritates you, I really encourage you to actually look at the trigger, follow it to it’s root cause, and address the root cause. Ignorance won’t get you anywhere; radical self awareness will.
For more tools on doing the inner work, neuroplasticity, following your triggers, and more, I really encourage you to check out the Blush Academy.
