Have you ever told yourself, “I’m better now, I’ve moved past that trauma,” only to find yourself back where you started days or weeks later, feeling like you’re stuck in a never-ending cycle?

If so, you’re not alone—I’ve been there more times than I can count. Sometimes, it spirals me into depression, filling my mind with doubts I wish I didn’t have. I used to think I was doing something wrong, but this is just how trauma works. It’s not like a breakup, where you go through grief, heal, and eventually find someone new, making everything feel better again.

Recovering from trauma is a slow, messy journey. It affects your mind, heart, and everything in between.

So, what does trauma recovery really look like?

• Slipping back into deep depression
• Revisiting painful issues you thought you’d already worked through
• Taking steps to heal, even when it feels impossible
• Removing harmful people from your life
• Finally recognizing the abuse you endured
• Falling back into old, toxic patterns
• Feeling stuck, wondering why you can’t seem to “get it right”
• Crying for reasons you can’t even explain

But here’s the thing: setbacks are part of the process. Recovery isn’t linear, and it’s not about perfection—it’s about persistence. Even if you take one step forward and two steps back, every effort matters. Celebrate the small wins, no matter how insignificant they seem.

Be gentle with yourself. You’re doing hard work, and healing takes time. Reach out for support when you need it; you don’t have to do this alone. Little by little, you’ll make progress—even when it feels like you aren’t.