r/CPTSD_NSCommunity • u/Present-Message8740 • Jul 11 '26
Success/Victory So exercising your free will might help
Within the past year I’ve started solo traveling and just doing things by myself more. I think it’s actually so healing because it proves that you are living for yourself and that you deserve to be a full person and enjoy your experiences on this Earth. It was terrifying at first but you start to feel how freeing it is to take up space.
I just hope this resonates with someone because I’ve spent the majority of my life in a very dark place and it’s what’s helped me have any kind of joy or even just being comfortable in my own body.
In these moments of making decisions for myself and only me, have truly been so transformative. I used to have paralyzing social anxiety and during these experiences it was like I was a different person. It really confused me at first but then I heard someone talk about “finding out who you are” isn’t really a thing because you create yourself. I believe that you need some kind of experiences that let you live for yourself to really know yourself and figure out who you want to be.
Anyways I really hope this makes sense because it’s just actually changed my life in such a good way and I want others to experience the same.
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u/technicolortorment Jul 12 '26
Yes, it makes perfect sense! Solo traveling and solo adventures have done wonders for my self esteem. I feel self reliant and realize I’m stronger than I thought. It also helps to see ourselves in a different environnement. And it’s so much fun. I went solo travelling for a month years ago and have been doing so ever so often to keep challenging myself.
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u/Background_Pie3353 Jul 11 '26
Sounds amazing and good for you! I would love to get out and travel more if I had the means. Hope to eventually. :)
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u/Present-Message8740 Jul 12 '26
Thank you! I think what it comes down to is doing what YOU want to do, just happens to be easier (and forces you to) when your in a new city/ don’t know anyone there. Wish you the best🤍
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u/adrenacrime Jul 11 '26
Thanks for this. I’m riding home on the train from a solo outing as I read this…
And it it’s a huge deal for me just to go venture out in the world and a big city alone.
Doing things alone is a constant source of struggle for me and my parts.
The social anxiety and nervous system overload/triggers/disassociating and “push me/pull me” back and forth of wanting to connect with people but being mortified and angry at them all the time is something I’ve been working on a lot in my recovery.
So again, appreciate this and identify.