When current events are Personal: Coping With Collective Trauma & Identity-based pain

For many of, global events aren’t just abstract headlines — they hit close to home. If you are part of a group directly impacted by injustice, violence, or systemic harm, it can feel like the whole world is triggering your story.

This is collective trauma. And it is real.

Here’s how to care for yourself when the pain feels personal:

1. Name the layers. What you’re feeling might be more than sadness — it might be grief, fear, ancestral trauma, or identity-based pain. Name it to meet it.

2. Find your people. Community care is essential. Talk to others who share your experience. Seek affinity spaces where you don’t have to explain your pain.

3. Let yourself feel — then ground. Avoiding feelings doesn’t make them go away. Let yourself cry, rage, or mourn. Then use grounding tools (like breath, touch, or movement) to help your body come back to safety.

4. Take action, but pace yourself. Advocacy, donations, and community support matter. But burnout helps no one. Honor your capacity and take breaks as needed.

Healing from collective trauma requires community, compassion, and nervous system safety. You’re not alone.If you need a place to process, ground, and begin healing, I’m here. Feel free to reach out.