When the Rubber Band Snaps: Holding the Weight of Collective Trauma

Last week, Stacy hit a wall.In this deeply honest episode of Chitty Chats with Stacy, Stacy shares what happens when even someone who spends a career helping others through trauma reaches their own breaking point.Between global conflict, disturbing news cycles, and the emotional weight many people are carrying right now, Stacy found herself overwhelmed with anger, grief, and exhaustion. As a trauma therapist who has spent over two decades working with survivors of violence, abuse, and loss, she reflects on a hard truth:Humans were never designed to absorb endless streams of traumatic information.In this conversation, Stacy explores the idea of collective trauma—how constant exposure to painful news and social media can overwhelm our nervous systems and stretch our internal “rubber band” to the point of snapping.She also talks about:Why the modern news cycle is overwhelming our nervous systemsThe emotional load many women are carrying right nowWhy believing and supporting survivors mattersThe role men can play in changing harmful cultural normsHow empathic adults and children may be absorbing the emotional energy of the worldMost importantly, Stacy shares what helped her find her footing again: stepping away from the noise, returning to the basics of regulation, and remembering that caring for yourself is not weakness—it’s necessary.If the world has felt heavy lately, this episode is a reminder that you’re not alone—and it’s okay to step back and take care of your nervous system.