Why I Paused and What I Learned: Navigating Collective Trauma

This episode marks my return to Cycle Hood in 2026 — after an unplanned pause shaped by the collective trauma of what’s been unfolding in Iran.I’m not here to talk politics. I’m here to honor a lived experience, name survival guilt, and share what has helped me regulate my nervous system during a time when movement, focus, and even daily life felt impossible.In this solo episode, I reflect on community, privilege, and collective grief — including a moment that stopped me in my tracks when people from Palestine, Lebanon, Armenia, and Ukraine shared how deeply they understood survival guilt. We talk about why feeling all the feelings matters, how emotions can get stored in the body, and why rushing ourselves into “action” without processing can backfire.I also explore somatic movement and breathwork as essential tools for healing — alongside therapy — and why nervous system regulation matters not just emotionally, but physically as well. We touch on epigenetics, stress, and how unprocessed trauma can show up later as health issues, as well as how to define discomfort in a way that supports growth rather than shutdown.This episode is dedicated to anyone navigating grief — personal or collective — and to those trying to turn heartbreak into meaningful, sustainable action without burning out.Content note: This episode discusses collective trauma and grief. Please listen with care.Resources mentioned in this episode:• Sanctum – somatic movement & breathworkhttps://www.instagram.com/wearesanctum/• Shaden Shibiny – shamanic breathworkhttps://www.instagram.com/shadenshibiny/If you’d like to explore working with me through hormone-informed, integrative health coaching, you can book a discovery session at:https://cyclehood.co