What Does it Mean to Heal?

Is it about becoming stronger? Accepting the past and moving forward? Closing old wounds? Transforming into someone new? Becoming whole?

And why do we seek healing in the first place? Does it imply that something is wrong with us? Aren’t we all both perfect and imperfect at the same time?

It looks like, the more we look inwards, the more healing there is to do. And somehow, as you self-awareness raises, the deeper and farther you can go.

So, in a way, healing equals evolving. We can look at healing under a negative lense, which is going backwads to make amends, or going forward, flourishing in something else.

Healing and Trauma

Healing is deeply intertwined with trauma.

Trauma occurs when something disrupts our sense of safety, leaving an imprint on the subconscious mind that causes us to deviate from our true nature. This can stem from actual trauma or from experiences that, as children, we perceived as traumatic—our subconscious mind registers both in the same way.

So, what is the nature of trauma?

According to shadow work expert Teal Swan, trauma creates a split within us. As children, we are often confronted with a choice:

• Act in alignment with our authentic nature, risking disapproval or rejection from our caregivers.

• Suppress certain traits in order to fit into the "tribe" and be accepted.

Guess what the subconscious mind will do? Out of a survival instinct, we tend to abandon the parts of ourselves that we associate with pain, fear, or unacceptability—all in an effort to feel safe.

For example, if a child grows up in a household where vulnerability is dismissed as weakness, they may suppress that aspect of themselves to gain approval or protection. Over time, they may not only reject their own vulnerability but also judge it in others.

The Process of Healing

To heal is to reclaim the parts of ourselves we have rejected or abandoned due to trauma. It is the process of reintegrating these lost aspects, restoring authenticity, and reconnecting with our wholeness.

And what does healing feel like?

It is one of the most challenging yet transformative experiences we can go through. Healing requires us to face the pain that caused the trauma in the first place, to see it clearly, and to meet it with objectivity and equanimity.

True healing is not about erasing the past—it is about embracing all of who we are, with compassion, courage, and awareness.