Post-Traumatic Growth
How Adversity Helps Growth
I finally finished my first book of 2024, The Art Of Risk by Richard Harris.
”The greatest risk most people will ever face is letting their lives pass them by.”
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a familiar term where adverse circumstances (trauma) result in depression, anxiety, flashbacks, nightmares and uncontrollable thoughts.
But what about Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG)?
Last week, I discussed my submissive and shy behaviours, but I’ve had upsetting situations that I can now look back on and be grateful that they happened because, without them, I wouldn’t be where I am today.
PTG is “life-changing psychological shifts in thinking and relating to the world and the self that contribute to a personal process of change that is deeply meaningful”.
The ending of an 8-year relationship led me to put a deposit on my apartment.
The business I worked with for 8 years, changing my contracting agreement, led me to walk away and start my own business, which I successfully ran for 8 years.
The curveball of the Podiatrist I rented from telling me they wanted the room for something else with 6 weeks’ notice led to me reaching out to my networks, securing a new room 2 days later and subsequently meeting and working with some great colleagues.
The 2020 and 2021 lockdowns gave me the most time off work I’ve ever had (5 and 7 weeks, respectively), and I’m a better person for it.
The 18-month disc injury I had in Nov 2019 helped my personal and professional growth, especially being able to empathise with my patients during their journeys.
The communication failure of my Dad being in Fiji for a weekend led to a heart-to-heart conversation that never would have happened otherwise.
Failing a unit in the post-grad certificate of Strength and Conditioning made me realise that I didn’t want to study the topic, leading me to pursue other study options. I’ve since completed an undergraduate certificate in community support and a post-graduate certificate in health science and am almost halfway through my Master of Rehabilitation Counselling.
The romantic relationships front is still a work in progress, but I’ve learnt so much about myself in the last few years that it’s bound to help me develop a healthy romantic relationship with someone.
What are your thoughts on post-traumatic growth?
Are you grateful for some of the adversity you’ve had?
Are you wishing you had experienced more adversity to help you find growth?
I don't think I would've been where I am without the courage of leaving a marriage that wasn't working. I can't even imagine what life would be like.
You don’t know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have... or whatever.
I’ve got too many of these.
The biggest one though is my mental breakdown after months of drug and alcohol abuse. It was fucking horrible for me and anyone close to me, but it was the catalyst for the most significant positive change I’ve ever made in my life and am continuing to make.
Almost all of the best things in my life have come from similar sliding doors moments where I’ve had my hand forced in terms of making difficult decisions. I think sometimes survival instinct kicks in and our subconscious pushes us towards the best decision. That or the universe, or the spaghetti monster, or whoever.