If someone had told me during the lowest part of my healing journey that I needed to help other people to heal myself, I would have laughed in their faces. How could I help anyone when I was so low that I wanted to die?

It was only after I went and did it that I realized how.

Helping other people humbles you, shows you that you aren't alone, teaches you things about your triggers you never knew, and fills the hole that recovering from C-PTSD leaves in more ways than you can imagine.

Without my volunteering efforts, I would not have recovered from C-PTSD as quickly. Looking back, it is a no-brainer for me: If you want to accelerate your recovery then become a C-PTSD volunteer. So, let's get to it, here's what I am going to teach you in this week's blog:

✅ How volunteering is a catalyst for your recovery.

✅ How to manage the downsides of volunteering (yep, they exist).

✅ How your current situation is leaving holes in your life that volunteering can fill.

And much, much more!

How Volunteering Will Be A Catalyst For Your Recovery

It's going to humble you. Yep, I said it. You are going to show up to that volunteering session and have one big (metaphorical) slap back to reality. That's because you will see people who are worse off than you. Either in their emotional state, their financial situation, their health... everything. You'll see it all. Not only does this humble you but it's also a huge boost to show you how far you've come. It's a win-win, really.

It will show you that you aren't alone. This is a big winner for me. One of the most crippling aspects of life with C-PTSD is the fact it feels like you're screaming your pain out to the world and no one really gets it. That can be so isolating, scary, and demoralizing. If you want to find someone who actually wants to listen to your pain and understand it, head out to a volunteering spot. It is full of people who are most likely helping people because they understand what it's like to be in a state where you need help.

It's a good spot to find your future friends. Yep, I've said it before and I'll say it again: healing from C-PTSD will leave you with big holes in your life. One of those holes will be from where you've let toxic people go and, like any breakup, you might have thoughts of getting back with them to make your grief go away. Even though you know that would be a terrible idea! Instead, head to these volunteer spots to find people to fill that void. Frankly speaking, people at volunteer hubs will be good people because they're clearly pretty selfless already.

How Volunteering Will Fill Holes You Didn't Know Existed

It's an opportunity to reflect and process emotions. You'll be hanging out with people who will most likely ask you about your story. You'll have a caring ear to listen and it's a unique opportunity to explore your experiences, emotions, and reactions. By giving yourself that space to reflect and process, you can gain valuable insights, uncover hidden patterns, and experience personal growth like never before.

You'll gain a new perspective. Have you ever had a conversation with someone and suddenly a light bulb goes off in your head? That's the beauty of talking things through with strangers. When you engage in open and honest discussions, you invite different perspectives and fresh insights into your world. It's like having a brainstorming session for your life! Others might offer alternative viewpoints, share their own experiences, or provide advice that makes you go, "Ah-ha!" These conversations can bring clarity to your thoughts, dilemmas, and decisions, guiding you toward a path that feels right for you.

You'll feel validated. We all crave that warm and fuzzy feeling of being understood and supported. A volunteer group is where you'll find it. They make space for you. They have time to hear your thoughts, fears, and emotions. Truly, the volunteer workers sometimes even get more out of the sessions than the people they're supporting!

It Might Trigger You

Yeah... it might trigger you. The likelihood is you're going to be hanging out with people who have C-PTSD or have recovered from C-PTSD and a conversation may come up about their journey. Nine times out of ten that won't be a problem for you but there will be occasions where whatever is discussed triggers something in you. Naturally, this isn't going to feel good but you could not be in a safer place. That is because if you say "Hey, I've been triggered", you can guarantee anyone with C-PTSD will stop what they're saying immediately and help you. Not only will you get a chance to work through an emotional response to a trigger (which is growth, my friend!), but you will have practiced boundary setting and you may have even discovered a new trigger! So yes, I know it is scary to be triggered but there are some big benefits to this one.

What to do if you're triggered? The number one recommendation is certainly to tell the people around you. As I've said, the likelihood is that they understand C-PTSD in some form and you may actually learn something from them. It might be scary to trust them at first but it could become a trust-building moment for you. Then, employ your strategies to remind yourself that you are safe. Whatever is triggering you is only in your mind and your trauma is not happening to you in the present moment. If you have a safety kit, now is the perfect time to pull out your tools from that. If you don't, don't worry! I'd recommend making one though as it will really help in times when you're triggered.

So, What's The Takeaway?

Volunteering could be one of the healthiest things you ever do. Not only will you be solving problems internally, but you'll be doing it whilst helping those around you. Your life will feel more fulfilled, you will feel more stable, and you'll be one step further on your journey of C-PTSD recovery. Will you try it? Tell me why or why not in the comments below!

Regardless of whether you decide volunteering is for you, if you've read this blog, that tells me two things. Number one is that you're brave enough to find out ways to improve your C-PTSD. Number two is that you're serious about recovering from it. If that's the case, then I can't recommend this resource enough. It's a free 6-step guide showing you how to recover from C-PTSD.

You can do it at your own pace, and once you download it, it's yours for life! Sounds pretty cool, right? Fast-track your healing journey and dive into the guide right now using this link.

Nice chatting with you!

All the love,

Bee

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