Trauma Survivors Activities @traumasurvivorsactivities - Tumblr Blog

Hello all!

This is @traumasurvivors. This blog is going to be focused on providing challenges and activities, usually related to self-care, coping and anything along those lines.

I will be following the tag #traumasurvivorsactivities.

You can participate by reblogging the post the challenge is on, making your own post and using the tag, or sending me a submission!

You can also participate silently of course and just follow along.

This seems like it will be fun! And I look forward to seeing what you all come up with as we go through different activities and challenges.

Disclaimer: This is not meant to resemble therapy or anything like that. I offer peer support only and just hope to create a community that encourages each other to try new things for coping, self-care and managing crisis. If anything ever seems like it may be triggering, please do not partake in the activity.

Info about me below the read more

#traumasurvivorsactivities #tsactivities

A variety of self-care activities to try out!

Okay, I said I was done the website, but I decided to create a hub for my self-care activities. Right now, a lot of these link to my Tumblr posts on them but over time, they will become blog posts on the website that are linked!

I think I’m going to take some of the posts from this blog to put on my actual website as an ‘activities’ series.

I think the Anchoring Pouch for sure but curious if anyone else had any they really liked!

Create an Anchoring Pouch

The goal of this one is to be something small that could ideally fit in your pocket, or a bag that you carry with you to have access at all times.

These items could include:

A crystal or pebble

A scrap of fabric with a texture you like

A note from a loved one

An affirmation you or someone else wrote

Something scented (there are scented stickers, or perhaps even a favourite tea bag or perfume sample)

Whatever the items you choose, they should go into a small bag, pouch or box. Carry these with you, and touch them/read them when needed. These are meant to be little anchors, and a reminder that you are here and you are not alone.

#activities

Letters You Don't Have to Send Activity

When words build up inside you and there’s nowhere safe to put them, this activity can help you release some of the pressure.

Choose someone to write to:

Someone who hurt you

Someone who didn't believe you

Someone who never listened

Someone who invalidated you

Write the letter. You don't have to be kind, fair or any one specific thing. Just be honest.

Alternatively, you could write to versions of you.

Past you

Future you

The you that is still scared

The you that is still angry

If you write to yourself, I really encourage you to show yourself some compassion. While it's valid to be angry with yourself, and express that, I encourage you to write this one as something you'd say to someone you love.

Then you can choose what to do with the letter.

Tear it up

Burn it

Put in a journal

Save it to figure out what to do with it later

You get to choose how you hold your truth, and I hope that you can feel that with this letter.

#trauma focused activities #my post

Self-Care Activity - Soothing Sounds Playlist

Let’s create a playlist that’s made just for those moments. Those moments when you feel overwhelmed, or like everything is caving in. You can include songs, ambient sounds, ASMR, or anything really that helps you feel calm and steady.

Some ideas (you can just use songs, or you might have other ideas of sounds that help you calm) – Rain falling softly on leaves – Instrumental piano – Ocean waves or river sounds – A song that always makes you feel safe – White noise, pink noise, or crackling fireplace sounds – Soft spoken word or nature ambience

Create this in your favourite app! Or you can just jot the list down of sounds/songs you want to listen to when you're not calm and save it in a note on your phone to help you remember.

If you're up to it, tell us what sound(s) you used, or the name of a song you put on it!

#self-care activities #grounding activities #calming activities

Create a Texture Box

While we've discussed making a self-care box, this one will specifically be for textures with the intent to help ground you.

Create a small box, or even a little pouch and fill it with different textured objects.

Some examples:

Velvet ribbon

Cool metal key

Fuzzy fabric

Slime or putty

Smooth stone

Beaded bracelet

Woven string

Small, soft plushie

There aren't real rules to this, and you can pick whichever items work for you.

When you feel overwhelmed, need help grounding, or just overall could use some centering, slowly reach in and touch each item. Or hold one at a time. Notice the difference in textures. Notice which items feel cool to touch, or warm. Take note of the different weights of the items.

The goal is to help focus you and ground you in the present. If you are feeling extra motivated, you could make a box for other senses as well. (Or perhaps a playlist of different sounds, not just songs, for 'sound'.)

#self care activities #grounding activities

If you can, try and do something kind for yourself today. Whether that's taking a much needed break, making yourself your favourite drink, or just something that makes you smile.

What is a mantra you can come up with?

I feel like, for me anyways, I get stuck on this because I can’t force a positivity sometimes. Which is why I want to say, it’s okay to come up with a mantra focused on neutrality instead of positivity!

For example, instead of “I am valuable”, maybe you come up with something like “my value is not based on my progress/what others think of me/etc”.

So, for this activity, you can come up with something positive, or perhaps more neutral!

What are your simple pleasures?

Simple things that others might over look but bring you peace/happiness.

Is there a way you can make an effort to engage in these things this week?

Check In

Is there something you wish you’d done more this week? (For example: resting, doing something you love, getting homework done, etc)

If so, can you write yourself a reminder to make more time for whatever it is next week?

#check in

Writing Prompt - Write about something that makes you happy, whether this is a hobby, friend, pet, show, anything.

Please don’t do any writing prompts that you find triggering. If you aren’t in a place to approach the topic, then please don’t.

You are free to keep this private, post on this post or share in our community!

Check In

Is there something you are struggling with at the moment? What plans have you made to cope with it? If you haven't made plans, what can you do to cope with it? (Please note that coping doesn't necessarily fixing the problem because sometimes we can't fix what we're struggling with but we can find ways to manage and cope with it.)

#check in

Journal Prompt

Writing Prompt - Write a letter to your past self with words of comfort, support and/or validation

Please don’t do any writing prompts that you find triggering. If you aren’t in a place to approach the topic, then please don’t.

When done, feel free to keep it private, attach it to this post or share it in our community.

#journal prompt

Positive Experience Self-Care Challenge.

The goal of this challenge is to pick 1 or 2 positive experiences you can add to your day or week and then do them. When doing them, you should focus on the good parts of the experience. Even if there are some bad parts, try to stop and refocus on the good of the experience. It’s natural for a lot of people to focus on the negative parts of something, but trying to consciously be aware of the good parts may help you find more enjoyment in things or not think things are “ruined” if a hiccup happens.

This sort of thing won’t happen over night, so I really encourage you to try and focus on a positive experience regularly.

Some examples include:

Going for a walk (I would focus on the views around me, and breathe the fresh air. I would personally enjoy the feeling of freedom I get when I go for a walk.)

Eating a favourite snack/meal when you have time to enjoy it and not rush. (I would focus on how good it tastes, and try and eat it slowly to savour it.)

Try a new hobby

Take a few extra minutes to give some attention to your pet. If they like being touched, pet them for a few minutes and just enjoy their existence. (You could also ask for cuddles from a partner or someone you enjoy being close to, or even pet a favourite stuffed animal).

If you have more ideas, feel free to share them in the replies, tags or reblogs! Also feel free to share if you put time aside to focus on a positive experience either on this post or in our community.

#activity #trauma survivors activities #traumasurvivorsactitivites

Happiness List Activity

The goal of this activity is to write a list of things that make you feel happy or content. This could include things like “petting my dog, watching my favourite show, etc”. While your feelings are always valid and you’re allowed to feel them, sometimes for those who struggle with emotional permanence, when we feel things are bad… That’s all we can feel. And it’s easy to forget that we can feel happy. This list can remind you of that, or even serve as a prompt to go partake in one of the things on it.

Once you’re done, feel free to post your list or send a picture of a physical one, or post in our community.

There’s no time limit on this, feel free to do this whenever you want.

#happiness list activity #traumasurvivorsactivities

Check In:

Share one little victory (or more even - in the replies, tags, etc) that you accomplished this week or are proud of yourself for.

No matter how “small” it seems. (Examples: brushed my teeth, used a coping skill, etc).

#check in

Trending Blogs

Recently Viewed Blogs

Trauma Survivors Activities