Episode 32:- Post-Traumatic Growth: Moving Beyond Trauma into Transformation

In this mini solo episode of Growing Tall Poppies, Dr. Nat Green revisits one of the core themes of the podcast: Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG). If you’ve been feeling stuck or uncertain about your healing journey, this episode offers a heartfelt reminder that growth after trauma is not only possible—it’s a journey waiting to be embraced. Dr. Nat breaks down the key elements of Post Traumatic Growth, shares insights on how we can move forward after adversity, and encourages listeners to lean into their own transformation.

Whether you’re new to Post Traumatic Growth or need a reminder of its power, this episode provides a brief but powerful message of hope, resilience, and personal growth.

Key Topics Covered:

• What is Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG)?
• How trauma can lead to greater appreciation of life, stronger relationships, and new possibilities
• The role of personal strength and spiritual growth in PTG
• The challenges and importance of letting go of your past identity and moving forward
• Simple ways to lean into Post Traumatic Growth and acknowledge your growth

Dr. Nat also reflects on some of her favourite episodes where guests shared their profound journeys of PTG, including:

• Episode 4 with Jo Muirhead on navigating cancer and its aftermath
• Episode 10 with Emma Gray on overcoming toxic relationships and burnout
• Episode 12 with Kellie Burns on mental health struggles and losing a sibling to suicide

If you’re ready to dive deeper into your own healing journey or learn from others who have faced adversity, this episode is a must-listen!

Stay Tuned next week too as Dr Nat introduces her exciting new concept and framework aiming to accelerate you from trauma into Post Traumatic Growth

If this episode resonates with you then I'd love for you to hit SUBSCRIBE so you can keep updated with each new episode as soon as it's released and we'd be most grateful if you would give us a RATING as well. You can also find me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/drnatgreen/ or on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/DrNatalieGreen

Intro and Outro music: Inspired Ambient by Playsound.

Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational purposes only. It is not intended to be deemed or treated as psychological treatment or to replace the need for psychological treatment.

Transcript

Dr Nat Green: 0:01

Welcome to the Growing Tall Poppies podcast. I'm your host, Dr. Nat Green, and I'm so excited to have you join me as we discuss what it means to navigate your way through post traumatic growth and not just survive, thrive after trauma. Through our podcast, we will explore ways for you to create a life filled with greater purpose, self awareness, and a deep inner peace. Through integrating the many years of knowledge and professional experience, as well as the wisdom of those who have experienced trauma firsthand, we will combine psychology, accelerated approaches, coaching, and personal experience to assist you to learn, to grow, and to thrive. I hope to empower you to create deeper awareness and understanding and stronger connections with yourself and with others, whilst also paving the way for those who have experienced trauma and adversity to reduce their suffering and become the very best versions of themselves in order to thrive. Thank you so much for joining me on today's episode.

1:24

Hello, and welcome back to Growing Tall Poppies. I'm your host, Dr. Nat Green, and today I want to take some time to remind you about one of the central themes of this podcast, that of post traumatic growth. If you're listening to this episode today, chances are that you, someone you know, has been through something difficult, maybe even life altering, and you're because you're looking for healing for growth. and ultimately for hope. Today is going to be a shorter mini episode. We're just going to focus on the actual concept of post traumatic growth, because I believe that it is such an important concept. Post traumatic growth is this incredibly powerful concept that doesn't just stop at surviving trauma. but actually pushes us towards thriving afterwards. Now it's important to say straight up, post traumatic growth is not, absolutely not about minimizing your trauma or suggesting that the hardship you've been through is somehow a blessing. It's about recognizing that when we do go through adversity, there actually is potential for growth that can completely transform us afterwards. Not back into who we were, but instead into a version of ourselves that we never imagined that we could become. Today, I really want to remind you that this transformation isn't just a possibility. It's a journey though, that each of us can embark on if we're willing to move forward, despite the pain, the fear, or the doubt. Now, many of you might already be familiar with the concept. But for my new listeners, or those who might need a refresher, let's break it down a little further. What exactly is post traumatic growth? Post traumatic growth refers to the positive psychological change that happens as a result of struggling with extremely challenging life events. It's not just about bouncing back to your old self. It's about growing beyond who you were before the trauma. It's about resilience, fortitude. Yes, but more than that, it's about transformation. Let me break that down into some key concepts of post traumatic growth. People who experience the post traumatic growth concept often talk about five key things. Firstly, they all talk about a greater appreciation for life. And I'm sure you know that after trauma, it's led you to realize what really matters. Things that once seemed important, they fade and you might realize that they're actually not that important. And you begin to focus on what really matters, what truly brings you joy and fulfillment. And you tend to focus your energy on those things because often there's a lot less energy for the things that may have taken up our time that really weren't that important in the big picture or the bigger scheme of things. Secondly, improved relationships. We often find that trauma can deepen your connections with others. And as a result, you really begin to value what feels authentic and authenticity and vulnerability become really, really essential in your relationship with others. You crave meaningful, deep connections rather than those surface level ones. That you just feel that you just don't have time for anymore because they're just not that important. Thirdly, new possibilities for life. You start to see the world differently as a result of what you've been through. And you can recognize that there are paths and opportunities that you've never even thought about or considered before. And because of what you've been through, you're willing to consider alternatives and explore what might be possible. Fourthly, we often find that you have a greater sense of personal strength. You've been through one or a series of the hardest things in your life, and you're still here. And that in itself creates a sense of strength and resilience that can fuel your growth. And fifthly, and we've had some episodes already that have talked about this, we talk about spiritual or existential growth. Whether that's through your faith or a broader sense of purpose, that sense that there's something beyond us. Many people often find deeper meaning in life after they've experienced trauma. But here's the catch, post traumatic growth isn't a guarantee. And it's not an easy process. Growth like this doesn't happen overnight. It's not automatic, just because you've been through something difficult. In fact, it often requires active work, things like processing your trauma, seeking support, and being open to change and opening yourself up to new possibilities and opportunities. And one of the biggest hurdles in this process is that we often hold on to who we used to be. We cling to the past version of ourselves because it feels safe or familiar. We want to go back to the person we were before the trauma. And that's a natural part of the process. But the truth is, healing isn't about going back. Hoping to return to that old version of ourselves dismisses what we've been through. It's actually about moving forward. And sometimes that means shedding old identities. old versions of ourselves, old beliefs, and even old relationships that no longer serve us. I know that for many of us, letting go can feel terrifying. It can feel like we're losing a part of ourselves. That whole sense of who we are, we're feeling lost and in limbo. But here's the thing I really want to emphasize today. Post traumatic growth is not about losing yourself. It's actually about rediscovering and excitedly reinventing yourself in ways that are aligned with who you are now. Trauma changes us. That's a given. We cannot possibly have been through what we've been through and not have lived and learned as a result from that experience. And when we allow ourselves to evolve, when we embrace the opportunity to grow, we step into our true, authentic selves. So if you've been feeling stuck, if you've been holding onto the hope that things will go back to how they were before your trauma, I have a few questions for you. I want you to ask yourself, what would it look like if I stopped trying to go back? What if instead I started moving forward with all the scars, the lessons. and the new strengths I've gained along the way. Today, I want you to think about how you can lean into your post traumatic growth. Just start small. Acknowledge the places where you've already grown. Maybe you've developed more empathy or maybe you're more connected to your purpose. Maybe you're clearer on your values and what really matters to you. I want you to celebrate that progress. You don't have to have it all figured out. Just trust that this journey is leading you somewhere new, somewhere powerful, that you can do this. And remember, post traumatic growth does not mean we forget or that we gloss over the pain. It actually means more so that we integrate it. We use it to build a stronger, more resilient version of ourselves. where we draw on that inner fortitude, those parts of ourselves that have enabled us to dig deeper beyond our wildest imaginations, beyond what we ever thought was possible. I truly believe in the strength and the potential for growth that lies within each and every one of you. Healing after trauma is tough, but it's also full of possibility. And if you're listening to this, then you're already showing up for yourself. And that's the first step. Today was just a short mini episode and a reminder that post traumatic growth is possible. And you can listen into some of the previous episodes and hear stories from other people that I've interviewed who have experienced considerable traumas. and shared so openly about their struggles along the way, yet shown how far they've come, and that post traumatic growth really is possible for each and every one of you. Some of my favourite episodes so far that clearly demonstrate post traumatic growth are episode four, with the gorgeous Jo Muirhead Who shared her journey through cancer and all the complications that it has brought to her life. And how she has navigated and continues to navigate her way through the cancer aftermath. Then there's episode 10 with Emma Gray, who opens up about her experiences navigating a toxic relationship. and facing burnout, leading her on a profound path of self discovery and of healing. Emma shares her fascinating insights on navigating trauma, transforming adversity into growth, and living a soul nourishing life with abundance and fulfillment, which led to the path she now has of inner peace and joy. And she certainly highlighted the fifth part of post traumatic growth around a spiritual growth. Another one of my favorite episodes is episode 12, with the gorgeous Kellie Burns, who shared about her struggles with her own mental health and the loss of her gorgeous brother to suicide, and the impact of all of this on her and her family. And she emphasizes the importance of vulnerability, the power of starting conversations about mental health, and how turning pain into purpose has shaped her path towards post traumatic growth. So if you haven't yet listened to any of these episodes, then please do yourself a favor and listen to them and the beautiful wisdom they have so generously shared as they've moved forward in their journey along the path to post traumatic growth. Thank you so much for spending time with me today. I hope this reminder about post traumatic growth helps you feel a little more grounded. a little more hopeful and ready to take the next step on your journey. If this resonated with you, then feel free to share it with someone who might need to hear it. And remember to follow the podcast for more conversations about healing, growth, and finding your true self after trauma. And I'm also really excited to share with you that next week, I'm going to be talking to you and sharing something really exciting. A new concept that I've been developing behind the scenes, which I firmly believe can shape our post traumatic growth journeys and accelerate the process from trauma into post traumatic growth. And I cannot wait to share it with you next week. And in the weeks to come between now and the end of the year. So looking forward to having you join me again next week. So until next time, take care of yourself and remember that you are always stronger than you think. And your story isn't over yet. Post traumatic growth is possible and it's waiting for you if you're willing to do the work and join us on this journey. Have a great week. Bye for now.

Dr Nat Green: 16:04

Thank you for joining me in this episode of Growing Tall Poppies. It is my deepest hope that today's episode may have inspired and empowered you to step fully into your post traumatic growth so that you can have absolute clarity around who you are, what matters the most to you, and to assist you to release your negative emotions and regulate your nervous system. So you can fully thrive. New episodes are published every Tuesday And I hope you'll continue to join us as we explore both the strategies and the personal qualities required to fully live a life of post traumatic growth and to thrive. So if it feels aligned to you and really resonates, then I invite you to hit subscribe and it would mean the world to us if you could share this episode with others who you feel may benefit, too. You may also find me on Instagram at growing tall poppies and Facebook, Dr. Natalie Green. Remember, every moment is an opportunity to look for the lessons and to learn and increase your ability to live the life you desire and deserve. So for now, stay connected, stay inspired, stand tall like the tall poppy you are. and keep shining your light brightly in the world. Bye for now.