Sh*t My Trauma Brain Told Me: Holiday Edition
Let’s talk about Thanksgiving.
But more importantly… let’s talk about what my trauma brain does the second November rolls around.
You know that moment when you open your fridge and your nervous system goes,
“Ohhhh it’s time. Let’s panic about food.”
Because that was me this morning.
I stood there — half-awake, holding my coffee — and my trauma brain fired up like it was prepping for the Holiday Hunger Games.
🫠 Trauma Brain, Act I:
“Canned cranberry sauce?
Meg… can your stomach even HANDLE canned things?
Remember 2021? The incidentS?”
🍠 Trauma Brain, Act II:
“Sweet potatoes: maybe safe.
Maybe not.
Let’s spiral about it for the next four hours just in case.”
🦃 Trauma Brain, Act III:
“Is turkey gluten-free??
Is it secretly gluten-free?
Is this how we die???”
Meanwhile, my logical brain is like:
“Girl. It’s FRIDAY.”
And trauma brain responds:
“Time is an illusion. Prepare for war.”
Why Holidays Mess With Trauma Brains
For those who don’t live with trauma, chronic illness, or rare disease anxiety… Thanksgiving is “cute chaos.”
But if you DO?
It’s a bingo card of triggers:
🥴 Food you don’t normally eat
🧬 Family commentary you didn’t ask for
🦷 Old chairs that flare up your pain (hello, CIDP life)
😵 Increased germs
😬 Disrupted sleep
🧨 And the general stress of being alive in November
And for trauma survivors?
It’s like your nervous system whispers:
“In honor of the holidays, let’s revisit ALL the memories.”
Love that for us.
But Here’s the Real Point
If your brain is spiraling about:
Food
Travel
Pain
Triggers
Sleep
Family
Germs
Or literally anything involving gravy
You’re not dramatic.
You’re not “too sensitive.”
You’re not overreacting.
You’re a human with a history.
A nervous system with receipts.
A body with memories.
And trauma + rare disease + the holidays = A VERY SPECIFIC VIBE.
My Wish for You This Thanksgiving
May you:
✨ Eat what feels safe
✨ Ignore what doesn’t
✨ Leave early without guilt
✨ Protect your peace like it’s an heirloom
✨ And return home to stretchy pants, comfort shows, and zero judgment
And if your trauma brain starts screaming about canned cranberry sauce, just know:
I get it.
You’re not alone.
And you’re doing great.
Happy holidays from my nervous system to yours. 🫠🦃
