Coping with Epstein

Yes, trauma does change our brains.

But so does recovery ❤️‍🩹

You can also mute words and phrases for an amount of time. So if you need a week off, do it. A month? Go for it. You need to take care of your mental health. Needing a break doesn't make you a bad person. We all need breaks. 💛

In trauma recovery we don't name & describe our pain because we're "wallowing" in a "victim mindset." We do it because getting real & specific is how actual, sustainable change happens-- & we're so f*ckng over denial (on both individual & cultural levels).

How do you all just wake up & go through the motions like nothing is wrong? I feel like I'm slipping into a psychotic episode. How is this shit happening & the entire planet isn't on fire?

Working our trauma recovery is about rediscovering, in little bits & pieces, who we really are. It first happens in little private moments. Something sparks a feeling or a reaction that feels familiar-- but not painful, for once.

Be on the lookout for those "glimmers."

That’s a good question. I don’t know if they can specifically be sued for this, but i can imagine they will need assistance, and the more widespread our support, the better.

I know, for example, that Christine Blasey Ford continues to move often, and needs full time security.

There will be a lot if discussion in the future about allowing public access to the email account.

For now, if you want to read the emails, please take note of how disturbing they have been to readers, and follow examples (like this one 👇🏻) of self-care and moderation.

Posts involving the actual activities around the “Epstein files” case are survivor-focused.

Some survivors have decided to go public with the names of their abusers. How the public responds to them will likely determine the fate of this issue.

I aim to keep you informed w/o any triggering details.

The image below shows Trump’s Attorney General, Pam Bondi, testifying before the Congressional Judiciary Committee regarding her leaking survivors’ identities and private information. When asked to look at the eight survivors present for the hearing, she refused.

The battle continues.

The Epstein survivors are naming names

Please stop referring to the Epstein survivors as "under age women". They were children. Calling them "under age women" is intentionally reframing them to make it seem like they were older than they actually were & therefore able to consent to what was done to them. It's not semantics, it's reality.

We’ll see people using the word “monster” but it’s important to remember that there is nothing supernatural about the people committing these crimes. They are just people, who have been enabled to avoid accountability for far, far too long.

It's real important, as we work to reduce our anxiety & make ourselves less vulnerable to anxiety, that we not shame or attack ourselves for being anxious. Anxiety happens. It's not a character flaw. It's a sign part of us is sensitive & wounded-- & needs compassion & patience.

Human emotions are complex and diverse. The fact that we feel pain, anger, anxiety, sorrow - does not mean that we cannot also feel comfort, joy, serenity, or humor.

If you find yourself in a situation where you are *not ever* feeling the full range of human emotions, that’s a sign to look for help

Retraumatization Retraumatization happens when a present-day situation significantly echoes the original trauma. It can overwhelm your ability to cope, feel like the trauma is happening all over again, and usually occurs when there isn't enough safety or support in place. In my professional experience, retraumatization is rare, but when it does happen, it can feel profoundly destabilizing. If you notice situations that feel too similar to your original trauma, it's okay to step back, take breaks from media, and seek support.

brighthorizontherapies.com/blog/what-is...

Burnout and Disengagement Are Signals Why exhaustion and disengagement are signals, not failures

Burnout and disengagement aren’t individual failures. They’re signals of systems under strain.

When effort replaces capacity and responsibility is pushed down without authority, people adapt. Some burn out. Others disengage.

Until conditions change, transformation only reproduces the same risks.

Whether we call it a “timeline cleanse” or a #glimmer or something else - our senses need a break from the high anxiety world of current events.

Take a break, drink some water, have a stretch

[video clip showing two dogs (Golden Retrievers or Yellow Labs) looking out a window, wagging in unison]

Image of the AI counselor option, described as: “Our domestic violence informed compassionate A.l. chat, Ruth, can help when you're unable to reach a live advocate.” The image has a large red “X” over it.

Please note: This particular objection to AI interactions isn’t philosophical, it’s trauma-informed. Your private, confidential information should never be made available to AI models, which have repeatedly been shown to breach confidentiality in the worst ways.

People with Disabilities and Domestic Violence People with disabilities and domestic violence intersect in many different ways. Learn more about their unique experiences and challenges.

National Domestic Violence Hotline: Disability

The NDVHotline can be a good resource; however, it does offer AI “counseling” (as well as legitimate text, chat, and call options). I cannot recommend highly enough that you avoid all AI interactions with resources.
www.thehotline.org/resources/pe...

Know Your Resources | National LGBTQ Institute on IPV

LGBTQIA+

lgbtqipvinstitute.org/know-your-re...

Call BlackLine—Crisis Call Line The mission of BlackLine is to provide hope and promote social justice for individuals, families and communities through immediate crisis.

www.callblackline.com/aboutfaq

Call BlackLine—Crisis Call Line Things you can do and various resources for information.

The “Blackline”
www.callblackline.com/resources

National Resources - Survivors.org Discover essential National Resources at your fingertips. Explore organizations and hotlines across the United States to find the help you need today.

Survivors.org:

survivors.org/national-res...

National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center

www.niwrc.org/sexual-assau...

Mexico • NOMORE Global Directory

In México:
nomoredirectory.org/mexico/

In Canada:
endingviolencecanada.org/sexual-assau...

Let’s start a resource thread 🧵

I endeavor to post only resources sensitive to the needs of marginalized readers, including not only survivors, but anyone racialized, LGBTQIA+, and/or unable to pay for services.

I am always appreciative of feedback regarding your experiences and needs.

👋🏻 It’s just me

So go ahead, mute this account! If you’ve never muted anyone before, try it now. Practice muting and unmuting if it’s new to you. I want you to get comfortable with it!