66: Triggers—Sensitivity without Censoring

We live in a world saturated with information. More than ever, podcasts, blogs and social media have exposed each of us to more information about how other people live and what other people's struggles. Culturally, it seems there is a trend toward more awareness about how our words and behaviors affect other people. Many posts on social media will contain trigger warnings as an effort to help warn people about potentially triggering content in the post or episode. All of these things are SO important to help create a world that's safer and more kind.   I wanted to have a conversation about how to navigate and manage triggers in our environment. I think it's fantastic that there is a growing awareness and sensitivity to triggers and that efforts are being made to avoid certain subjects or words that hurt people. I also think it's important to have a conversation about how all of us can remain in our own power when we feel triggered by others.    I invited Charlene Smith, LCSW, to join me for a second time on the podcast to talk about how to create boundaries, ask for what you need, avoid reactivity and how to create a dialogue with people who you don't agree with. This conversation is SO important in recovery from struggles with food and body image because people around you WILL say and do things that trigger you—so it's important to figure out how to navigate those situations without feeling hopeless and discouraged.