A Blissful Life 8/19/25: Understanding Triggers

We’ve all had moments where something small sets us off. One quick comment, missed text, or offhand look and suddenly we’re flooded with feelings we can’t quite explain. Our chest tightens, our stomach drops, and we react in a way that feels bigger than the situation itself. That’s what it means to be triggered. On the surface it looks like the person or circumstance in front of us is the cause, but really, the trigger is pointing to something that already lives inside. The external moment is just the spark; the fire is much older.

Think of a trigger as a mirror. What you see reflected back isn’t the other person’s fault, but your own unhealed wound. If someone makes a comment about your appearance and it ruins your day, the sting doesn’t come just from their words, it comes from the meaning you’ve carried about yourself for years. If a friend cancels plans and you spiral into rejection, it’s not really about that one canceled night, it’s about the times you’ve felt unwanted before. If the wound weren’t there, the reaction wouldn’t be either. That’s why different people respond so differently to the same event. The situation itself doesn’t hold power, our history does.

This can be frustrating, but it’s also liberating once you recognize it. Because if the trigger is about you, that means the healing is in your hands too. The next time you feel yourself getting activated, instead of reacting right away, try to pause. Notice the heat of the emotion and simply name it: “I’m triggered right now.” That alone creates a little breathing room. In that space, you can ask yourself some questions: Where have I felt this before? What does this remind me of? What story am I telling myself in this moment? More often than not, you’ll find the feeling is older than the moment, and it belongs to a part of you that still needs care.

When you begin to see triggers this way, they stop being just annoyances and start becoming teachers. They show you exactly where you’re still carrying pain, and once you see it, you can tend to it. Sometimes that means journaling and letting the feelings out on paper. Sometimes it means talking it through with a therapist or trusted friend. Sometimes it means offering compassion to the younger version of yourself who never got the comfort or validation they needed at the time. Healing doesn’t always happen in one dramatic moment– it’s often the small, consistent acts of kindness you give yourself when you notice the wound flare up again.

The beautiful thing is, the more you do this, the more free you become. Situations that once sent you into a spiral gradually lose their grip. You stop blaming the people around you for feelings that belong to your own history. Your relationships soften, because instead of projecting your old pain onto others, you start meeting them as they really are. You understand yourself more deeply, because every trigger uncovers another piece of your story. And with that understanding comes peace.

Being triggered doesn’t mean you’re broken. It means a part of you is waving its hand, asking to be seen. When you respond with curiosity and compassion instead of judgment or defensiveness, you reclaim your power. You begin to transform those explosive moments into opportunities for growth. Over time, the weight of old wounds loosens, and you find yourself living with more steadiness, confidence, and clarity. Triggers aren’t just eruptions of pain, they’re invitations to heal. And when you accept those invitations, one by one, you create a life where the past no longer dictates your present, and your heart finally feels a little lighter.

At Ocean Bliss Yoga, we see practice as more than movement– it’s a space to notice your triggers, soften into them, and discover the wisdom they hold. Every class and workshop is designed to help you meet yourself with compassion, release old patterns, and return to balance. Join us overlooking the water to explore not just yoga, but the deeper healing that unfolds when you give yourself the space to breathe, feel, and grow. Sign up at oceanblissyoga.net. Call or text me with questions at 917-318-1168.