Are You Carrying a Backpack of Trauma? How Unseen Burdens Weigh You Down
Imagine waking up every morning and strapping on a heavy backpack. You take it to Uni and Lectures, the office, out with friends, even to bed. Eventually, it blends into the background—until you notice the tension in your shoulders, the fatigue that never lifts, or the emotional fog that won’t clear.
This is what unprocessed trauma can feel like. It doesn't always scream for your attention. Sometimes, it just quietly weighs you down—every single day.
What's in Your Backpack?
Trauma doesn’t always come from one big, life-altering event. Often, it’s a collection of experiences that quietly pile up over the years:
Growing up in a household with emotional instability
Feeling neglected or dismissed by caregivers or partners
Bullying, micro-aggressions, or chronic stress
Losing someone close to you
Surviving a breakup, betrayal, or toxic relationship
Living through financial, cultural, or personal insecurity
Whether you’re 18 and navigating early adulthood, or 50 and juggling work, family, or major life transitions, these experiences can linger longer than we realise.
Signs You Might Be Carrying More Than You Think
You might not label your experience as “trauma,” but it could still be impacting your life. Ask yourself:
Do I feel emotionally exhausted for no clear reason?
Do I avoid certain people, places, or conversations?
Am I highly self-critical or often feel “not good enough”?
Do I struggle with anxiety, low moods, or irritability?
Is it hard for me to trust, connect, or be vulnerable with others?
These aren’t flaws or failures—they're signs your nervous system may still be holding onto survival strategies from the past.
Why We Don’t Notice the Weight
You might tell yourself:
“It wasn’t that bad.”
“I should be over it by now.”
“I don’t want to dwell on the past.”
But minimising pain doesn’t make it disappear. It just keeps it tucked away, quietly influencing your decisions, relationships, and sense of self-worth.
Therapy Helps You Unpack, at Your Own Pace
Working with a therapist is like setting that heavy backpack down in a safe place and gently exploring what’s inside. Together, we’ll help you:
Recognise patterns that are rooted in past pain
Process difficult memories without reliving them
Build emotional tools to feel safer, lighter, and more grounded
Reconnect with the parts of you that are strong, capable, and resilient
You don’t have to carry this forever—and you don’t have to unpack it alone.
Ready to feel lighter?
Your healing can start today, head over to the booking page and let’s get started.
