#Traumatwisties

Y’all remember when Simone Biles said she wouldn’t perform? That whole thing about the “twisties” that gymnasts sometimes get? Something in their inner ear along with their confidence gets wonky and they can get seriously hurt if they perform. Look it up: gymnast twisties.

Well, the same thing happens to those of us whose lives have overwhelming events, events big enough to think we might die, be badly injured, or lose our minds.

There are two events: one is “anniversaritis,” when a date reminder comes up; the other is what I call the “traumatwisties.” I remember the last time I got the “traumatwisties” badly was when I got unexpected news that someone I loved very deeply had died unexpectedly. I could see the world shifting around me, my vision was off, and I felt unsteady.

Sometimes they happen when we experience a strong reminder, whether or not it’s related to a date.

Either way, whether it’s “anniversaritis” or the “traumatwisties” (a great hashtag, if I do say so!), we need to take a pause. Stop. Rest, recollect ourselves. It helps reduce the risk of further injury. It shows kindness to our bodies.