TRAUMA CAUSES DISCONNECTION FROM SELF AND TRAUMA IS ROOT OF ADDICTION
Disconnection from yourself and others can effect all areas of your life and is caused by deep wounding of trauma. (See: "How Childhood Trauma Is The Root Of Addiction") Disconnection from yourself is fueled by you avoiding you and your inner world and focused on externals in an attempt to soothe yourself... Work addiction has kept you “stuck’ in a holding pattern that is familiar but not healthy. You are a “human being” not a “human doing”. You may have never considered how essential it is for you to be able to connect with yourself with a kind and compassionate voice rather than a harsh punitive judgmental voice . You may also have addiction issues in other areas such as substance abuse ,food, porn, relationships and often feel overwhelmed. See: ”Keys To Staying Calm Instead Of Overwhelmed” Your identity has become defined by what you do rather than who you are .
SELF CARE: SETTING BOUNDARIES AND LIMITS AT WORK
Please keep in mind that when you are at work the “unhealthy patterns” and “dysfunctional family dynamics” that you have developed in your family growing up will have an effect on how you interact with your “work family”. If you have historically been in the role of a “people pleaser” then you probably have difficulties setting boundaries and limits at work as you are fearful of conflict and rejection and focused on others “liking you”. This can be a set up that fuels your working overtime, perfectionism, grandiosity(“believing you are the only one who can do this job well”) and ruminating about work when you are at home. Perfectionism can also be part of this familiar dynamic that keeps you “stuck’ in a “familiar” holding pattern where you feel chronically victimized and powerless, unappreciated. Perfectionism is frequently experienced alongside of depression. Part of self care is to set limits and boundaries but if you have a history of unresolved trauma then this becomes extremely difficult and unfamiliar. Becoming aware of how your trauma wounds have to be addressed and healed rather than denied and neglected is the first and most important step in your self care. Work addiction is a symptom of how you are out of balance inside and how this is reflected outside.”
GOOD BYE BURNOUT AND HELLO TO REFUELING
Even if you really love your job when you are out of balance then you become depleted and burnt out and exhaustion and anger are what you probably frequently feel as well as “there is no way out”. That is a lie from the pit as you can begin to extinguish burnout by starting to no longer socially isolate, making time for those you love, and to begin to enjoy quiet soothing times alone....no longer avoiding and distracting yourself.. It can feel like an “uphill battle” for a while as you develop new connected ways of relating to yourself, others, and to work. Learning how to stay calm and relaxed is a big part of the process of chains breaking.
THE RIGHT “CHAIN BREAKING THERAPIST” CAN MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE
Yes the thought of starting this amazing process can feel scary and yes you will need to be courageous to take the first step toward your healing. If you are ready to no longer walk in the “bondage” of “work addiction”(and other addictions) please give me a call as would be honored to walk with you and guide you!