Trauma Isn’t Just What Happened — It’s What Happened Inside You
- joannafwinn
- May 29
- 2 min read
When most people hear the word trauma, they think of something dramatic or extreme — like a major accident, abuse, or a life-threatening situation. And while those absolutely are forms of trauma, it’s not always about *what happened*.
Often, it’s about what happened inside us as a result.
So What Is Trauma, Really?
One of the most helpful definitions I’ve come across is this:
Trauma is not what happens to you. It’s what happens inside you as a result of what happened. - Dr. Gabor Maté
Trauma isn’t the event itself.
It’s the emotional overwhelm.
The internal disconnection.
The sense of “too much, too fast, too soon — and I was alone in it.”
How This Shows Up After Cancer
For many women, the trauma of cancer doesn’t just come from the diagnosis or the treatment.
It comes from:
The shock of being told
The fear that came in the quiet moments
The loss of control over your body
The rush to make decisions before you had time to feel
The emotional shutdown that helped you get through it… but never got turned back off
And often, no one helps you process it. You survive the experience, but carry the impact.
This might show up as:
Emotional numbness or flatness
Feeling disconnected from your body or identity
Anxiety or fear with no clear reason
Overreacting to small stressors
Feeling like something is “off,” even when life looks “fine”
Your Body Remembers What Your Mind Tries to Move On From
Trauma is stored in the body — not just in your thoughts.
It lives in the nervous system, in muscle tension, in breath-holding, in the constant state of being “on guard.”
This is why talk alone isn’t always enough.
And it’s why I bring a mind-body approach into my coaching.
Healing Doesn’t Mean Reliving — It Means Reconnecting
In my Thrive Beyond Cancer program, we can gently explore:
How trauma might be showing up for you now
What your body is still holding onto — and how to listen to it
Ways to regulate your nervous system and feel safer again
Small, grounded practices to bring you back into your body — at your pace
It’s not about digging up everything all at once.
It’s about creating enough safety to slowly feel again.
To rebuild trust — with yourself, your body, and your life.
Trauma isn’t just the big event.
It’s the impact that’s left behind.
And healing doesn’t mean going back to who you were — it means becoming who you are now, with compassion.
Book your free session below or learn more about my Thrive Beyond Cancer Program Here →
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