It’s a universal human experience: feeling triggered. No matter your background or how composed you usually are, there are moments when something sets you off. You might find yourself reacting intensely, perhaps snapping at a loved one or withdrawing completely. These reactions can leave you feeling regretful and confused, wondering, “Why Am I so triggered?”
Like many, I’ve been working on my own triggers, particularly the sharp tone I sometimes use with my family when stressed. The aftermath is often worse than the trigger itself – self-reproach and a sense of helplessness. It’s a cycle many of us are desperate to break. The desire for calm, control, and peace is strong.
The empowering truth is that you absolutely can reshape your responses to triggering situations. By understanding the roots of these reactions, you can pave the way for greater happiness, presence, and stronger connections in your life. Imagine navigating challenging moments with composure, rather than being swept away by emotion.
To guide us through this process, we turn to Dr. Becky Kennedy, a renowned psychologist and author of the New York Times bestseller, Good Inside. While known for her work with children and parenting, Dr. Becky’s insights are profoundly relevant to us all. Why? Because our triggers are deeply rooted in our childhood experiences, formed long before we had the words to express them. Understanding this connection is the first step to reclaiming control.
Dr. Becky explains, “Your triggers are stories from your past.” This episode delves into these stories, offering a path to understanding and ultimately transforming our ingrained reactions. This isn’t just about managing emotions; it’s about personal evolution. Sharing this knowledge, especially with younger generations, can equip them with invaluable tools for emotional well-being early in life. Learning to rewire our responses is a powerful, life-affirming process, and it’s simpler than you might think.
In this insightful exploration, you will discover:
- How to identify and recognize your emotional triggers in everyday life.
- The critical period in your development when internal emotional memories begin to form and shape your reactions.
- The role and purpose of your “protector part” in triggering emotional responses.
- The essential step of exploring your past to understand and address present triggers.
- Effective strategies to reframe your triggers, leading to healthier and more fulfilling relationships.
- Why suppressing your negative inner voice is counterproductive and what to do instead to foster self-compassion and growth.
- The significance of aligning your actions with your core values to reduce reactivity and increase emotional consistency.
- A deeper understanding of what tantrums truly represent, both in children and in ourselves as adults experiencing emotional overwhelm.
- Why acknowledging and validating your desires is crucial, and how to avoid inadvertently shutting them down, especially in children, to promote emotional health.
By understanding the “why am i” behind our triggers, we gain the power to respond rather than react, fostering a more peaceful and controlled emotional landscape.
