What Trauma Really Is (And Why It’s More Than Just the Event)

Understanding the True Nature of Trauma

When most people hear the word “trauma,” they immediately think of the event itself: a car accident, the loss of a loved one, a painful breakup, or even a natural disaster. But trauma is not actually the event. Trauma is what happens inside of you as a result of the event. It’s the lasting imprint the experience leaves on your body, your emotions, and your nervous system.

Think of it this way: two people can live through the exact same experience, yet one develops deep trauma while the other does not. The difference lies in how their nervous systems were able—or unable—to process what happened. Trauma is the unprocessed energy, the survival response that gets stuck. It’s the shaking you suppress, the tears you swallow, the words you never say, and the tension your body holds long after the moment has passed.

Acute Trauma vs. Chronic Trauma

There are two primary kinds of trauma, and understanding the difference helps you see how it might be showing up in your life.

Acute trauma is caused by a single overwhelming event. This could be a physical assault, a sudden accident, or an unexpected medical emergency. These experiences happen quickly, overwhelm your system, and often leave you feeling unsafe in a matter of seconds.

Chronic trauma, on the other hand, builds slowly over time. It comes from repeated stressors, such as childhood neglect, emotional abuse, growing up in an unpredictable household, or even the constant pressure of financial instability. This type of trauma is harder to recognize because it becomes the “normal” background of your life. But over time, it deeply shapes the nervous system, wiring it to stay on high alert.

My Personal Experience With Both

I’ve personally experienced both types of trauma. When I was traveling in India, four large dogs charged at me out of nowhere. Before I could even think, they attacked. My body froze—completely overwhelmed. Even after the danger passed, my body was still trembling, and the fear lingered inside me. That was acute trauma: sudden, intense, and shocking.

But I also grew up with a father who was always stressed and unpredictable. His energy filled our household, creating an environment where I never fully felt safe or relaxed. That is chronic trauma. It didn’t come from one dramatic event but from years of subtle, ongoing stress that shaped my nervous system.

How Trauma Shows Up in Daily Life

What many people don’t realize is that trauma doesn’t just live in your mind as a memory—it shows up everywhere. It can live in your muscles as chronic tension or pain. It can influence your relationships, making you reactive, guarded, or overly accommodating. It can seep into your career, causing burnout, perfectionism, or fear of taking risks. Trauma is not “just in your head.” It is stored in your body, your breath, your patterns of thought, and even your energy field.

The First Step Toward Healing

Here’s the hopeful part: trauma can be healed. The body has a natural wisdom for release. When we learn to give it the safe space it never had, we can allow that stuck energy to finally move. This is the work we do at Soul Liberation Healing—guiding people to gently release what has been carried for too long and reconnect with their natural state of peace and wholeness.

So let me ask you: have you experienced a trauma that still lives within you? Becoming aware of it is the very first step toward true healing.