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A 3-Step Daily Reset for Safety, Fear Rewiring & Emotional Healing After Trauma

By The Artful Woman
After surviving a stroke and a catastrophic accident, I’ve had to rebuild not just my body—but my nervous system, my thoughts, and my sense of safety in the world. At the very least, I dedicate 10 minutes each morning to anchoring my body in safety. From there, I’ve developed a simple 3-step daily reset that helps me move through fear, regulate my thoughts, and gently rewire how I relate to uncertainty, pain, and hope. This is not about perfection. It’s about returning to yourself, over and over again, especially after trauma. 1. Morning Safety Anchor (2 minutes) I place my hand on my heart and breathe: inhale for 4, hold for 2, exhale for 6. I say: “In this moment, I am safe.” This helps ground my nervous system and even supports calming phantom pain when it shows up. 2. Midday Thought Flip (30 seconds at a time) When fear starts to spiral into “what if” scenarios, I pause. Instead of feeding the fear, I answer it gently: “And if it happens, I’ll handle it. What if it goes right inst...
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Did I Lose Part of My Soul? A Stroke Survivor’s Journey of Reconnection

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By The Artful Woman

In 2020, my life changed forever. A stroke left me feeling disconnected—like something was missing, as if a part of me had died. For the first three years, my focus was solely on physical healing. But over the past year, I’ve shifted my attention to something deeper: mind, body, spirit, and energy.

I’ve been searching, trying to piece together what feels lost.

At times, I question whether my soul is still whole. The idea of losing part of yourself—your spirit, your essence—is not new. Many cultures believe that trauma, loss, or profound life events can fracture the soul. And what is a stroke, if not a sudden, violent rupture in both body and being?

I knew something was off the moment they sent me to rehab. I was supposed to start physical therapy, but instead, I spent three days lying in a hospital bed—forgotten. No therapy. No guidance. Just me, trapped in a place where healing wasn’t happening. And in that moment, I knew: I had to get out.

I had to get home.

Because while my body was there in that hospital bed, my spirit felt shattered. I knew I had spirituality—I always had. But something was damaged, something was disconnected. I had to find a way to reconnect my spirit with my mind and body.

This wasn’t just a feeling.

I’ve had out-of-body experiences before—I know what it’s like to feel my spirit hovering, watching my body from the outside. That kind of separation has always been familiar to me. But this? This was different.

This time, it felt like my spirit—or maybe even my soul—wasn’t just observing. It was missing.

What Happens When You Lose a Part of Yourself?

Whether or not someone can literally lose part of their soul is a matter of personal belief. There’s no scientific proof, but the feeling of loss is very real. Many stroke survivors experience a deep disconnection, a sense that they are no longer the person they once were.

This can be due to:

  • Physical Changes: A stroke can alter mobility, independence, and daily routines, leading to frustration and loss of identity.
  • Emotional Changes: Many stroke survivors experience mood swings, depression, or anxiety due to brain function changes, leaving them feeling like a stranger in their own body.
  • Cognitive Changes: Memory loss, speech difficulties, and slower processing can make it feel as if a part of your mind—your very essence—has slipped away.
  • Spiritual or Existential Shifts: When life is suddenly threatened, deep questions about purpose, God, and the soul arise. What once felt certain can become distant or incomplete.

Reconnecting to What Was Lost

If I’ve learned anything, it’s that healing isn’t just about the body—it’s about reclaiming every part of yourself.

Before my stroke, I was unstoppable. I’m a published, award-winning photographer. I was constantly creating, inspiring, leading.

During COVID, I gave up. And in giving up, I lost more than just opportunities—I lost parts of myself. My health suffered. My relationships suffered. And worst of all, my spirit suffered.

I’ve been deeply exploring energy, the higher mind, and spiritual healing. I’ve even considered taking a course in shamanism for soul retrieval—something I plan to do—but first, I seek God and Christianity. I want to understand where I fit, what I might be missing, and how to reconnect with the version of myself that never settled.

The Path Forward: Healing Mind, Body & Spirit

If you’ve ever felt like you lost a part of yourself—whether through trauma, illness, or simply the slow erosion of settling—know this:

You can reclaim yourself.

Here’s what’s helping me:

  • Faith & Spiritual Exploration: Strengthening my relationship with God while remaining open to deeper spiritual wisdom.
  • Coaching & Energy Work: As a Master Certified Life and Spiritual Coach, I’m applying everything I teach to my own life.
  • Physical & Emotional Healing: Even small victories matter. Every step toward wellness helps me rebuild my sense of self.
  • Returning to My Roots: Remembering who I was before the stroke and stepping back into that power.

Healing is a journey, and I am walking it one step at a time. I may not feel exactly the same as I did before, but I am committed to finding a new sense of wholeness, purpose, and alignment.

And if you’re on a similar path, I invite you to walk with me.

For coaching, transformation, and rediscovering your power, visit ArtfulLivingCoaching.com.

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Location: Dana Point, CA, USA

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