Somatics Basics
Thought work matters, but the truth is, most of us try to change our thinking before we understand what the body is saying. And that’s why nothing shifts. Your body speaks first. Your thoughts follow. Until you learn the signals your nervous system is sending you, you’ll keep fighting battles you don’t even realise you’re in.
Activation is what happens when your body senses something is unsafe. The “unsafe” doesn’t have to be dramatic. It can be feeling overwhelmed, pressured, or exhausted. It can also be the resurfacing of an old pattern or story your body learned a long time ago and still believes is relevant, even when your life has changed. Attachment patterns are a perfect example, they are systems created in the past that continue to unfold in the present.
Triggers are often everyday moments your system experiences as pressure or threat. They can include feeling behind, chaos in your environment, someone’s tone of voice, pressure to perform, criticism, unexpected change, conflict, shame, or comparing yourself to other women.
And when activation happens, it shows up physically and emotionally. You might notice racing thoughts, heaviness or pressure in your chest, a tight throat, a knot in your stomach, restlessness, feeling frozen or numb, snapping easily, or the urge to overeat, scroll, avoid, escape, or shut down. These are not personality flaws, they are your body’s way of signalling, “I don’t feel safe.”
This matters deeply for change. When you don’t realise your body is activated, that’s when you blame yourself. You try to push harder, fight your way through, or shame yourself for not being able to “just do it.” But an activated body cannot think clearly, plan effectively, show up with consistency, or build new habits. Your nervous system must feel safe before your behaviours can change.
This shift is simple but profound, instead of: trigger → reaction
Awareness teaches: trigger → understanding
Another way of saying it i, you want to go from: Impulse creates reaction to insight creates intention.
We all get overwhelmed, insecure, tired, or triggered. The difference between staying stuck and transforming your life is how you respond to those moments. Changing your life is changing your response.
FULL ARTICLE IN SKOOL