coping with trauma related dissociation
The story
sometimes, during family gatherings, I zone out completely. I might be sitting there, surrounded by laughter and chatter, but my mind drifts away like a ship lost at sea. the conversations around me turn into a white noise that pushes me deeper into my own thoughts. I can't control it, and it happens out of nowhere. no emoji can truly capture this feeling, but a sad face might come close.
in those moments, guilt creeps in like an unwelcome guest. I feel like I should be engaged, laughing and enjoying the moment with everyone else. instead, I’m left with this weird mix of confusion and discomfort as the joy around me morphs into something unsettling. it’s like I’m watching everything from a distance, feeling more like an outsider than a participant.
it's frustrating how these episodes strike me like a thief in the night, disrupting my peace without warning. trying to hold onto my sanity becomes this exhausting struggle, like trying to keep my footing on a slippery slope of racing thoughts. coping strategies seem to vanish when I need them most, but somehow, there’s still a flicker of hope buried beneath it all.
these experiences are just part of life’s chaotic mess, pushing me to build resilience even when adversity grips me tightly. dreams feel distorted by fear, yet I cling to the moments that matter. love is there, grounding me amidst the chaos, helping me preserve the cherished memories tied to familiar faces. I want to hold onto those moments forever, where laughter mingles with tears, creating a messy but beautiful existence.