Coping with Advent Overwhelm: Trauma Recovery and Faith

Becoming Me

Episode 107
Do you feel overwhelmed in Advent and more tense than usual? Does that make you feel guilty all the more because it makes you feel like you're not "doing" Advent well?
In this bonus episode, I share my personal experiences about the overwhelming feelings often associated with the Advent season, particularly for those on a trauma recovery journey. I talk about my struggles with complex trauma and how my wounds show up specifically during the Christian Advent season.
This episode highlights the difficult balance between religious traditions, family scripts, and self-care. I emphasise the importance of pace, space, and grace especially if we are in a season of healing and share personal strategies for managing anxiety during this Advent season.
Watch this recording on YouTube.
Follow me on my Instagram account @animann for more material on the integration journey and subscribe to my monthly reflections on Begin Again.

CHAPTER MARKERS
(00:00:21) - Introduction
(00:02:13) - The Impact of Trauma on Advent Experience
(00:03:58) - Recognizing Overwhelm and Trauma Responses
(00:06:08) - The Role of Family and Faith Traditions
(00:07:48) - The Challenge of Trauma Recovery During Advent
(00:10:50) - The Importance of Agency and Choice in Trauma Recovery
(00:13:12) - Managing Overwhelm: Pace, Space and Grace
(00:21:27) - Personal Experiences and Reflections
(00:32:24) - Final Thoughts
(00:33:09) - Conclusion
TRANSCRIPT
Available here.
REFLECTION PROMPT
Do you recognise any signs of overwhelm in your body during this Advent season? What scripts (societal / familial / religious) may be activated for you during this lead up to Christmas?

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1. Coping with Advent Overwhelm: Trauma Recovery and Faith (00:00:00)

2. Introduction (00:00:21)

3. The Impact of Trauma on Advent Experience (00:02:13)

4. Recognizing Overwhelm and Trauma Responses (00:03:58)

5. The Role of Family and Faith Traditions (00:06:08)

6. The Challenge of Trauma Recovery During Advent (00:07:48)

7. The Importance of Agency and Choice in Trauma Recovery (00:10:50)

8. Managing Overwhelm: Pace, Space and Grace (00:13:12)

9. Personal Experiences and Reflections (00:21:27)

10. Final Thoughts (00:32:24)

11. Conclusion (00:33:09)