We talk a lot about “beating” cancer. We celebrate the last chemo treatment and ring the bell. But we don’t talk enough about what happens when the noise stops.
For me, that silence was deafening. After 19 months of chemotherapy, monoclonal therapy, and a mastectomy, I thought I would feel nothing but relief. Instead, I felt the heavy weight of everything I had just survived.
I realized that while my body was healing, my mind was still fighting the war. I learned the hard way that you can’t skip past the hard feelings. The only way to get over your trauma from cancer is through putting in the work daily.
When people suggest mindfulness for anxiety or trauma, it often sounds like a chore. “Just sit still and clear your mind,” they say. But when you are dealing with chemo brain or the deep anxiety of a diagnosis, silence can feel unsafe.
I had to redefine what healing looked like. It wasn’t about toxic positivity or pretending everything was fine. It was about:
- Working through emotions rather than burying them.
- Spending time in nature to remind myself there is a world outside of hospitals.
- Living in the present, even when the present felt uncomfortable.
True mindfulness isn’t about emptying your mind; it’s about grounding your body so you feel safe enough to feel your feelings. It is one of the most powerful grounding techniques for trauma I have found.
If you are feeling overwhelmed today, you can reset your nervous system in just four simple counts. This is a simple breathing exercise—something I use personally to anchor me when my emotions feel too big to handle:
The Box Breathing Technique
This technique creates a “square” with your breath, giving your mind a simple, rhythmic pattern to follow.
- Inhale (Count of 4): Slowly inhale new air for a count of four (4).
- Hold (Count of 4): Hold the breath out for a count of four (4).
- Exhale (Count of 4): Exhale all the air out slowly for a count of four (4).
- Hold (Count of 4): Hold the breath in for a count of four (4).
Repeat this cycle at least three times, reminding yourself, “I am here. I am safe.”
Remember: If the holds feel overwhelming or the count of four is too long, you can drop the holds or use a smaller count (like 3-3-3-3). Always choose the option that feels safest for your body right now.
This is the work. It’s the meditating, breathwork, and grounding that adds up to real, lasting healing.
These small moments of connection became my lifeline. They helped me realize that courage isn’t just about enduring pain; it’s about being gentle with yourself while you process it.
Because this emotional healing process has been so transformative for me, I’ve decided I need to know more—not just for my own healing, but to help this community.
Next week, I’m sharing a big announcement about a new journey I’m taking to bring specialized, trauma-informed support directly to you. Because we all deserve to feel at home in our bodies again.
Courageously yours,
Aurora
Because courage doesn’t always mean being strong, but admitting that at this moment you feel weak and that’s okay.