A history of trauma can make peace feel like boredom
I'm bored.
Are you bored?
Maybe you're unsettled, unsure, anxious, or irritable
Maybe sometimes it feels like boredom
Why?
My entire life I searched for peace and calm, and I've always been told that happiness will follow it
So why am I unsatisfied?
Dr. Nicole LePera said this:
When leaving trauma cycles, expect to be bored. That’s a good sign. You’re leaving the cycle of emotion addiction:
When we’re used to cycles of chronic stress, drama, and overwhelm, we get stuck in fight or flight. Cortisol and adrenaline are a constant in the body.
We subconsciously seek this environment to feel alive or “like ourselves”.
...
When the body is coming out of chronic nervous system dysregulation, there is a transition phase. No longer getting constant spikes of cortisol we might feel bored, restless, or irritated.
Boredom is healthy. It does take some getting used to. You’ll be surprised at how much you subconsciously feel a pull towards emotional activation.
...
We have not evolved to be in cycles of chronic stress that never end.
It will be unfamiliar, at first. Soon, it will feel like peace.
Many trauma survivors report a vague sense of emptiness and boredom when they are not angry, under duress, or involved in activities that activate emotional responses. Reexposure to trauma is known to act as a pain reliever, equivalent to 8mg of morphine.
We crave the release of dopamine and endorphins that follow stress, something we're used to and understand-- something that makes us feel alive and active
The question then becomes,
Are there healthy ways to engage with activities that give you that "kick"?
I'd like to think there are.
Mindfulness, attention to the people in your close inner circles, and frequent breaks are just a few small steps.
Does anyone have any tips or stories? Maybe another perspective?