Time Isn't Enough

I’ll be straightforward: if you're grappling with emotional pain and are merely waiting for time to heal it, you're likely to be disappointed. That’s not how healing occurs.

Let’s consider biology for a moment. When we get a cut, our body doesn’t just heal on its own over time. Instead, antibodies work to fight infection, blood cells form clots to stop bleeding, and skin cells regenerate to close the wound. Healing requires action behind the scenes.

The same principle applies to emotional pain. You can't simply wait; proactive effort is essential.

You Need to Work at It

Healing necessitates effort on your part. It won’t happen magically.

So how do you initiate this process?

First, you must confront your emotions. Acknowledge and listen to your feelings and to your body’s needs. While this can be daunting, emotions are transient; the best way to move past them is to fully experience them.

After you’ve taken the time to feel, self-reflection will guide you toward the necessary steps for healing. Identify changes you need to make, conversations you should have, or apologies you owe. Consider seeking therapy or medication, or perhaps a combination of approaches.

This may seem overwhelming, and it is. Healing is hard work, but time alone does not facilitate it; you must engage with it actively.

There Are Always Scars

A couple of years ago, while moving, I faced a mishap with my knife set. As I attempted to rearrange items in my truck, the knife block tipped over. In a moment of carelessness, I reached out to catch it and ended up slicing through my finger. Though stitches weren't necessary, the scar remains, and sensitivity in that finger has diminished.

Even after substantial effort and time dedicated to healing, recovery is rarely complete. Scars often remain.

It's crucial to recognize this reality; if you anticipate being entirely healed after your efforts, you may be setting yourself up for disappointment. Healing can be challenging, and while you can make significant progress, some scars will persist.

Ultimately, these scars can become stories of resilience, but they should not dictate your future.

If you found this article insightful, feel free to explore more of my writing on my personal blog. Thank you for reading!