#307 Healing Is Not Linear: When Old Relationship Trauma Resurfaces Years Later
Tue Feb 03 2026
In today's solo episode, I'm sitting down and sharing off the cuff about something unexpected that came up for me in therapy this week—old pain from a toxic relationship I was in over a decade ago. Even though I haven't gone through a breakup in years, this experience reminded me how healing from heartbreak, especially from trauma and narcissistic abuse, happens in layers and isn't always linear. I discuss how triggers from my past appeared in my current marriage, what it's like to feel frustrated that old wounds resurface even after doing so much "work," and how I'm learning to have more compassion for my younger self. This episode isn't about having all the answers, but rather about being honest with the messy parts of the healing journey, processing in real time, and offering support to anyone who feels shame for still being affected by a breakup, no matter how long ago it happened.
To find out which Break Up Bestie Course is right for you, click the link to take the quiz and get matched with the best solution for you: https://breakupbestie.typeform.com/to/x0WglwDO
To get my course bundle Heal Your Break Up, go to https://www.breakupbestie.com/heal-your-break-up-course and use the code PODCAST for $25 off!
To join Healing Hearts Club for FREE: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1021288124899873
For a limited time, OneSkin is making it even easier to stay consistent with up to 30% off your first 3 subscription orders when you use code HEARTBREAK at oneskin.co/HEARTBREAK.
Go to drinkag1.com/heartbreak to get their best offer… For a limited time only, get a FREE AG1 duffel bag and FREE AG1 Welcome Kit with your first subscription order!
If you want to lose meaningful weight at a healthy pace and keep it off... Add LEAN to your diet and exercise lifestyle. Get 20% OFF WHEN YOU ENTER HEARTBREAK at takelean.com
BetterHelp makes it easy to get matched online with a qualified therapist. Sign up and get 10% off at Betterhelp.com/heartbreak
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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In today's solo episode, I'm sitting down and sharing off the cuff about something unexpected that came up for me in therapy this week—old pain from a toxic relationship I was in over a decade ago. Even though I haven't gone through a breakup in years, this experience reminded me how healing from heartbreak, especially from trauma and narcissistic abuse, happens in layers and isn't always linear. I discuss how triggers from my past appeared in my current marriage, what it's like to feel frustrated that old wounds resurface even after doing so much "work," and how I'm learning to have more compassion for my younger self. This episode isn't about having all the answers, but rather about being honest with the messy parts of the healing journey, processing in real time, and offering support to anyone who feels shame for still being affected by a breakup, no matter how long ago it happened. To find out which Break Up Bestie Course is right for you, click the link to take the quiz and get matched with the best solution for you: https://breakupbestie.typeform.com/to/x0WglwDO To get my course bundle Heal Your Break Up, go to https://www.breakupbestie.com/heal-your-break-up-course and use the code PODCAST for $25 off! To join Healing Hearts Club for FREE: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1021288124899873 For a limited time, OneSkin is making it even easier to stay consistent with up to 30% off your first 3 subscription orders when you use code HEARTBREAK at oneskin.co/HEARTBREAK. Go to drinkag1.com/heartbreak to get their best offer… For a limited time only, get a FREE AG1 duffel bag and FREE AG1 Welcome Kit with your first subscription order! If you want to lose meaningful weight at a healthy pace and keep it off... Add LEAN to your diet and exercise lifestyle. Get 20% OFF WHEN YOU ENTER HEARTBREAK at takelean.com BetterHelp makes it easy to get matched online with a qualified therapist. Sign up and get 10% off at Betterhelp.com/heartbreak See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.