Day 62 of 100 Days of Hope
Notice Your Triggers — They’re Trying to Help You Grow
Have you ever noticed how quickly you can go from calm to defensive, or how easily jealousy or irritation can appear out of nowhere? Those moments can feel uncomfortable, even shameful. But what if instead of seeing your triggers as proof that something is wrong with you, you saw them as messengers?
It might be counterintuitive, but our triggers are not enemies — they are invitations. They show us where something inside us feels unseen, unloved, or out of balance.
What Are Triggers Really About?
A trigger is simply an emotional reaction — a flare that goes off to get your attention. You might feel your body tighten, your heart race, or your thoughts start spinning. When that happens, it’s time to pause and ask:
What am I feeling right now?
What happened just before this feeling started?
What story am I believing about myself or someone else?
Where did that story come from?
So often, our triggers point to beliefs that aren’t true — beliefs like “I’m not enough,” “I’m being left out,” or “I’m not loved.” But as my life coach once said, “Any negative thought is not true.”
That statement may sound simple, but it’s incredibly freeing. When you remember that your negative thoughts are not the truth — just old patterns trying to protect you — you create space for compassion and healing.
Turning Triggers into Growth
Instead of pushing your triggers away or judging yourself for having them, use them as a roadmap for transformation.
Here’s how:
Take inventory — Name what you feel without judgment.
Notice the start — Identify what event or thought sparked the emotion.
Get curious — Ask what story or fear is beneath the surface.
Challenge the story — Is it absolutely true? Or could there be another perspective?
Take action — Choose one small, empowering step to shift your energy.
For example, if you feel jealous, maybe it’s really about longing to create more joy or purpose in your own life. If you feel defensive, maybe it’s about wanting to be understood or respected. When you see the real message, you can take action that heals instead of reacts.
A Moment of Compassion
The solution to triggers isn’t control — it’s compassion. Give yourself love in the moments you feel raw. Offer yourself kindness. Take a walk, breathe deeply, write in your journal, or talk to someone you trust.
Every trigger is a signal that something inside you is ready to grow. It’s not a failure; it’s an opportunity. You deserve to feel empowered, grounded, and free to be your truest self.
If you’d like to explore what your triggers are teaching you and learn practical ways to transform them into confidence and peace, I’d love to help. I offer free coaching sessions to guide you toward greater self-love and clarity.
Don’t ignore your triggers — listen to them. They’re showing you where healing wants to happen.
Here is a short video to hear more!
Much love,
Julie Burningham
The Hope Coach 🌟