The Emotional Healing Checklist Every Woman Needs to Know (And How to Grow From It)
Hi Friends!
If your past feels like it’s clinging to you like a bad ex’s hoodie, you’re not alone. Emotional wounds can make even the most confident women feel stuck, heavy, or like they’re constantly on edge. Healing isn’t cute or linear, but it is doable when you know what’s happening and how to move through it. Think of this checklist as your playbook for emotional glow-ups: no fluff, no Pinterest clichés, just real steps to start feeling lighter.
🛍️ Want to add crystals to your healing practice? My fave tools from Energy Muse are linked here, because yes, vibes matter. Shop my picks here!
Step 1: Acknowledge & Understand Trauma
Hot girls don’t gaslight themselves. If something hurt you, whether it was a breakup, a toxic friendship, or something deeper, the first step is saying, “Yes, that happened. Yes, it sucked. And yes, it left a mark.” Pretending you’re fine only keeps you stuck. Write it down, scream it into your pillow, text your therapist, whatever you need, but name it. Naming is power.
Step 2: Practicing Self-Compassion
Self-compassion gets a bad rap because it’s usually packaged like a “love yourself” Hallmark card. Here’s the real deal:
The best friend test. Would you say that to your bestie? If not, don’t say it to yourself.
Time boundaries. No spiraling after 9 pm, fake crises love nighttime.
Compliment receipts. Keep a running list of nice things people have actually said about you, and read them back when you forget.
👉 This is also where rituals help. One of my favorites: pouring coffee or tea into my Chronically Chic mug every morning and writing down one thing I like about myself while I sip. It sounds small, but making it a ritual makes it stick.
Step 3: Healthy Coping Mechanisms
Coping doesn’t have to mean 3-hour yoga classes or disappearing on a retreat. Try these instead:
Blast music and move. Call it dancing, call it cardio, call it exorcism, it works.
Journal roast. Write down the mean thought and roast it until it sounds ridiculous. (“You’re a failure” → “Ok, Shakespeare, calm down.”)
Safe person check-in. Have one friend you can text a single emoji to when you’re spiraling. They’ll know what it means.
Step 4: Building & Maintaining Healthy Relationships
Stop trying to heal around people who drag you back down. If a friendship feels like a part-time job, cut hours. If someone’s always critiquing your choices, mute them. You need people who clap when you win, bring you snacks when you cry, and hype you even when you’re messy. Healing thrives in hype squads, not toxic ones.
Step 5: Growth in Real Life
Healing isn’t about becoming perfectly zen. It’s about becoming unbothered. Every time you say no to that one toxic guy, every time you remind yourself you’re not “too much,” every time you choose rest instead of guilt, that’s proof. Growth is the receipts you stack up, not the vibes you pretend to have.
Lesson Learned
Explore emotional healing through 'The Body Keeps the Score' by Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, a renowned psychiatrist. This insightful book delves into the impact of past traumas on our emotional and physical well-being, offering evidence-based strategies for healing and growth. Available on Bookshop.org, your purchase directly supports independent bookstores: Discover 'The Body Keeps the Score' on Bookshop.org
Emotional healing isn’t quick, but hot girls don’t quit. Your checklist isn’t about perfection, it’s about stacking small wins until you look back and realize you’re not stuck anymore.
💌 If this post slapped you in the feelings (in a good way), share it with a friend who needs it. And if you want a little daily ritual to make healing feel chic instead of clinical, snag my Chronically Chic mug. Because nothing says “I’m working on myself” like sipping coffee out of a cup that matches your vibe.
FAQs
What are the recognized stages of emotional healing? The five stages of emotional healing often paralleled the stages of grief outlined by the Kübler-Ross model, including denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Each stage plays a crucial role in healing from emotional pain.
How does one navigate the emotional healing process? The pathway to emotional healing typically involves several key components: empathy, self-regulation, self-compassion, self-acceptance, mindfulness, and integration. It's essential to avoid trying to control or minimize the pain, as this can hinder the healing process.
What steps should be taken for emotional recovery from trauma? The journey of recovering from emotional trauma involves six essential steps:
Initiating the healing process.
Experiencing emotions without judgment.
Seeking support from loved ones.
Consulting with a therapist.
Committing to self-care practices.
Understanding that the healing process is not linear.
What are the phases involved in self-healing? In the realm of emotional self-healing, there are seven stages one typically undergoes: awareness, acceptance, processing, release, growth, integration, and transformation. It's important to note that these stages are not necessarily experienced sequentially. Still, they are all essential parts of the healing journey.
