Complex trauma is the result of multiple traumatic events occurring back to back or concurrently. Since many or most of us experience different forms of oppression nearly every day, when additional challenges occur in the course of being human, we almost all experience complex trauma at some point in our lives. At the same time, complex trauma has yet to be included in either the U.S.-based Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders (DSM) or the International Classification of Diseases (ICD). For this reason, just acknowledging complex trauma can be a revolutionary act in our healing and the reclamation of our wholeness and power. What helps you acknowledge the complex traumas in your life?
[image description: Two hearts wearing masks over their noses and mouths stand back to back and together fight off a barrage of challenges: "BILLS," "RACISM," "VIRUSES," and "STATE VIOLENCE." Text reads: "The hits keep coming. You are STILL doing great. 10 SEPTEMBER 2020"]
Throughout the pandemic, I have posted messages on my Facebook wall that I needed to hear myself or that I imagined others may be needing to hear. Again and again, these messages spurred collective online processing of a range of challenges and lows and bright spots of living through the pandemic. This series of cartoons is intended to reflect on and illustrate some of the process of dealing with life by leaning into the intersection of technology and community. |
[image description: Screenshot of a Facebook status that reads: "The hits keep coming. You are STILL doing great." Two comments read: "Really?" and "Seriously, thank you. I really needed that!"]
#MindfulHearts retrospective.
On this day 2020.
On this day 2019.
Celebrating two years of daily cartoons.
On this day 2020.
On this day 2019.
Celebrating two years of daily cartoons.