In defense of trigger warnings

There is so much I want to say, but my words are stuck, my memories flit quickly away from my darkness. My new therapist tells me healing the dark of the past requires construction of a narrative of those experiences. We have to go slow, much more slowly than I desire.

I read something about trigger warnings being met to coddle people who are privileged. I think whomever wrote that has never had trauma. The point that life just happens and we don't get warnings is valid. The reasoning behind trigger warnings is not to keep people from feeling deeply uncomfortable when discussing hard or controversial topics, however. The purpose for trigger warnings is to aid people who have already experienced some of life's atrocities in the healing process.

There are days people can joke with me or talk to me about anything, and I won't bat an eyelash. And then there are days when a song reduces me to tears, a flippant comment brings all my feelings from the years of abuse back, and just talking about the problem makes me want to die. I don't expect "normal" (non-traumatized) people to understand that. What I am thankful for is the ones who do and warn me that if I can't deal with something right now, it is OK for me not to engage in the conversation.

Frankly, I am still trying to have uncomfortable conversations with myself and others. There are causes I care deeply about. And someday, I would like to have a life partner who wants to be with me regardless of the past. I don't think removing trigger warnings is an appropriate response to uncaring people. It is just going to show people like me that the issues are more important to you than those of us who have gone through it and may not be ready to engage with you yet.

Anyways, that's all for now. Please remember to be kind. Love you all.