Conversations on Trauma and Awakening: Camryn Longmuir

How would those who love and respect you describe you?

‍“Passionate, an animal lover, empathetic and kind. Maybe a bit sarcastic and stubborn as well.”

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Could you describe a turning point in your healing journey? What led to this transformation?

‍“I realized that I cannot control other reactions or actions. This was with the help of my therapist since I often try to prevent people from feeling upset or angry with me and I find some people will feel that way no matter what I do, so my therapist helped me realize and accept that I can only control my actions and emotions, and that has helped a lot with my people-pleasing anxiety.”

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What were some initial challenges you faced when confronting your trauma, and how did you overcome them?

“I found some of my traumas very triggering to bring up, and some of them I would downplay to make them sound not as bad as they were, so I had to work on being completely honest about what I was struggling with and why. I found some of it pretty difficult to talk about, but I think just being in a safe space and having safe people to discuss it with other than just my therapist really helped me be more comfortable with talking about it, which makes it easier to work through.”

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In your opinion, what are some misconceptions people commonly have about trauma and healing?

“I think a lot of people think that trauma has to be something huge and really bad or violent, but it can include emotional abuse as well which can be so hard to work through because it’s really internal. I never thought I had trauma until I started going to therapy for my anxiety. I realized that the root of my anxiety and some other issues I was having was mostly coming from traumatic things that I went through. I also see online that people struggle with good days and bad days with healing, and I’ve had experiences with that too, where sometimes it feels like you’re going backwards and things are getting worse, but I try to remember that healing is not a linear process and there’s no right or wrong way to do it.”

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What strategies or techniques have been most effective for you in coping with or recovering from trauma?

“I think that finding people that I trust, and a good therapist have been by far the most effective for me, it really helps me to talk through it and be validated by other people. I also try to put myself first more than I used to, knowing when I need to physically remove myself from a situation that is triggering, also just recognizing when I am being triggered. I also try to do activities that are calming or bring me joy especially if I’m having a particularly bad week. I like to read, crochet, go for walks, go to the gym, watch movies, play video games, really anything that will distract my mind for a bit when I am feeling overwhelmed and need a mental break.”

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Can you discuss any role models, books, or resources that have inspired or guided you in your healing process?

“I read “Women Don’t Owe You Pretty’ by Florence Given which was super validating and eye-opening for healing as a woman. I love Florence, she often posts joyful content on Instagram and normalizes being your authentic self and not worrying so much about what other people think.

I also find online content to be super validating and helpful in putting words to what I’ve gone through and what I’m dealing with in the aftermath. I love looking on Reddit and reading other people’s stories that are similar to mine. I find validation and knowing that you aren’t alone in what you’re dealing with is the best way to combat imposter syndrome, especially if you’ve been gaslit and manipulated.”

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What does the term “self-care” mean to you? 

“I think obviously self-care is different for every person and is so personal. For me, I try to do it intentionally, especially when I'm having a bad day or week, but I also do it unintentionally pretty often. For me, self-care should be something that I do to make myself feel better in the moment but will also make me feel better and more relaxed after I’ve finished doing it. I used to do a lot of unhealthy coping mechanisms that I would call “self-care” but always felt so much worse afterward that I realized they were more like self-sabotage, so now I try to be much more intentional with it.”

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What is your favourite form of self-care? 

“Most of the things that I do as self-care are either cozy-at-home or physical activities that will ideally ease my anxiety and stress. Some of my favourites are working out or going for a walk and making a cup of tea or having a nap with my cats.”

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How do you maintain resilience and self-care while navigating the challenges of healing from trauma?

“I think it’s just about being gentle with myself and listening to my body. If I’m having a bad day and can’t get myself to the gym, I can just watch a movie and let my brain relax and be okay with that. I try to break out of my perfectionist tendencies and just let myself do what I need to do in the moment, whether it’s the most productive thing or not.”

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What advice would you give to someone who is currently struggling with trauma or seeking their own awakening?

‍“I would definitely suggest going to therapy and finding the right therapist; if the first one isn’t a good fit, then keep looking. And to figure out what healthy activities actually help you feel better.”