Triggers relate to trauma in the sense that our brain tries to protect us during traumatic events.

Once the memory is released, just like the bullet fired from a gun, we cannot put it back in. A mental trigger is something that releases a physical reaction in the body that can create fear, tension, or anxiety. We can think of a psychological trigger in the same way. If we continue to do so, we run the risk of more damage or self-harming behaviors.Ī physical trigger, like the trigger on a gun, is the thing that causes the gun to fire. If we start driving down memory lane without purpose or care, we can trigger ourselves. We twist the narrative to remember the good times, and in turn, stifle our healing process because we want to lessen the blow of unpacking difficult experiences. When we are in the process of working through a treatment program or intensive therapy, pain will undoubtedly arise, and it becomes easy to make the past seem far better than it actually was to avoid discomfort in the present. But if we use that power to find happiness in another time, we are once again avoiding our feelings and reality. It’s almost as if we are gods harnessing the power of time in just one moment of life. We have the power to heal and the power to harm. When we think back to our past, we have to realize the power in that act. Reminiscing can lead to a false sense of understanding. It also means we aren’t focused on finding joy in the present moment which is a big red flag. If we are looking back to find the good, especially in some precarious situations, we run the risk of romanticizing our past experiences, even the ones that put us in rehab, the hospital, and worse. We also run the risk of distorting past memories to make them more palatable which, in turn, does the opposite of healing. If we reminisce without thought or care, we begin to see only part of a picture, the part that brought pleasure, excitement, and fun. It may feel the same as reflection, but here’s where things can get tricky. The word reminisce has a positive connotation, for it means to indulge in past memories that are deemed enjoyable. It’s a careful process of unpacking and healing, of sifting through a time that has passed while acknowledging lessons and feelings that once were to help move us forward in the present moment. But reflection is not just letting memories run through our minds. Reflecting means to think back to past events and think deeply about those experiences which could result in a plethora of emotions-positive or negative. The word “reflect” has a neutral connotation which means it doesn’t give us a positive or negative feeling. The Difference Between Reflecting and Reminiscing

Reminisce meaning and definition