by Stephanie Bucklin
“Your point of perception is the most powerful force of nature in this world. When you change the way you see something, what you see will change.” — Sarah Zula
Every moment we perceive reality through the lens of our past experiences, beliefs, and emotional imprints. Our perception shapes not only what we see, but how we feel about what we see. When something triggers us—a tone, a look, a memory—our perception instantly filters it through old narratives: I’m not safe. I’m not loved. I’m not enough.
But what if your trigger is not a threat… but an invitation to see differently?
The Mirror of the Mind
Carl Jung called this process “shadow work.” He taught that our reactions to others reveal the unintegrated parts of ourselves—the aspects we’ve hidden or rejected. When we are triggered, we are really meeting an aspect of our own consciousness that longs to be seen, understood, and loved.
Instead of resisting the trigger, we can pause and observe it.
We can ask: What part of me feels unseen right now? What belief is being activated?
This act of awareness shifts perception—from being in the reaction to becoming the witness of it.
Mindfulness: The Gateway to Presence
Eckhart Tolle reminds us, “You are not your thoughts. You are the awareness behind them.”
Mindfulness allows us to sit in the space between stimulus and response. It’s where freedom lives. When you practice mindfulness during a triggering moment, you might:
- Breathe deeply and ground into your body.
- Acknowledge the feeling without judgment.
- Observe your thoughts like clouds passing through the sky.
This simple pause activates your parasympathetic nervous system, calming the body and re-centering your awareness in the present moment. From here, perception begins to soften—and with it, your emotional charge dissolves.
Reframing the Narrative
Our perception determines our reality. When we shift the story we tell ourselves, our entire emotional landscape can change.
Imagine viewing a triggering moment not as an attack, but as an opportunity for healing. Not as rejection, but redirection. Not as punishment, but initiation.
Ask yourself:
- Is this coming from truth or from trauma?
- What is this moment teaching me about myself?
- How can I respond from love rather than fear?
As Brené Brown says, “We can choose courage or comfort, but we can’t have both.” Choosing courage means leaning into discomfort long enough to find clarity, compassion, and growth on the other side.
When You’re Feeling Triggered: Turning Emotional Reactivity into Conscious Growth
We all have moments when something small ignites a big reaction. A tone of voice. A dismissive glance. A misunderstood comment. Suddenly, your chest tightens, your heart races, and you feel an urge to withdraw—or lash out. This is what it means to be triggered.
When you’re triggered, your nervous system is sounding an alarm. It’s not always about what’s happening now—it’s often about something that once happened that still lives within you. But the beauty of awareness is this: every trigger is also an invitation to heal.
The Common Response: Fight, Flight, Freeze, or Fawn
When we feel emotionally unsafe, it’s common to:
- Withdraw, shut down, or isolate
- Lash out or become reactive
- Get defensive or over-explain
- Try to please people or seek perfection
- Blame, shame, or make excuses
- Overanalyze, ruminate, or catastrophize
These reactions are not signs of weakness—they are protective mechanisms your mind and body learned to keep you safe. As Carl Jung once said, “Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate.”
Our triggers reveal the unconscious wounds still guiding our behavior. By becoming aware of them, we begin to reclaim our power.
Conscious Alternatives: Choosing Awareness Over Reaction
Instead of reacting automatically, try these conscious practices:
1. Recognize the Trigger
The first step is awareness. Notice that you are triggered and make a conscious decision to respond differently this time. As Eckhart Tolle teaches, “Awareness is the greatest agent for change.” The moment you notice the emotion arise, you’ve already begun to shift from being in the trigger to observing it.
2. Take Space with Intention
It’s okay to take a time-out. Communicate clearly—“I need a few minutes, but I’ll come back when I’m calm.” This simple boundary keeps the connection safe while allowing you to self-regulate.
3. Breathe and Soothe
Use your breath to anchor yourself in the present moment. Slow, intentional breathing signals to your body that you’re safe. Ask yourself: “What is my body trying to tell me?” Then use a coping skill—stretching, grounding, or stepping outside—to de-escalate your nervous system.
4. Discern Between Truth and Trauma
Ask yourself: “Is this coming from a place of truth or from past trauma?”
Many of our triggers are not about the present situation, but rather an old story resurfacing for healing. Jung would call this “shadow work”—the process of integrating the hidden or rejected parts of ourselves so we can become whole.
5. Reframe the Narrative
If you realize it’s your own narrative playing out, try viewing the situation through another lens. What if the other person’s intention wasn’t to harm? What if this moment is an opportunity to practice compassion—for yourself and others?
6. Communicate Your Needs
Vulnerability transforms conflict. Brené Brown reminds us that “Vulnerability is not weakness; it’s our greatest measure of courage.”
Ask for what you need to feel safe: a pause, reassurance, a hug, or simply to be heard. Honest communication builds bridges instead of walls.
From Triggered to Empowered
Every time you pause instead of react, breathe instead of blame, and choose curiosity over control—you’re rewiring your nervous system for peace.
You’re teaching your inner child that it’s safe now.
You’re turning a moment of chaos into a moment of consciousness.
Your triggers are not your enemies—they are sacred teachers, guiding you toward deeper healing, presence, and self-understanding.
The Shift in Perception
When you change how you perceive your past, your memories soften.
When you change how you perceive your present, your vibration shifts.
When you change how you perceive yourself, your entire reality expands.
Your perception becomes the bridge between old patterns and new possibilities. Every mindful breath, every compassionate thought, every act of self-awareness rewrites the timeline of your life.
You are not the sum of your triggers—you are the consciousness learning to dance with them.
Practice: A Mindful Response to Triggers
- Pause: When you feel the wave rise, stop. Don’t act—breathe.
- Name it: Say to yourself, “I’m feeling triggered.” This recognition brings awareness.
- Ground: Feel your feet, your breath, your body. Anchor in the now.
- Reflect: Ask, “What story am I telling myself about this moment?”
- Reframe: Choose a higher perception—one rooted in truth, not fear.
- Respond: Speak or act only when your heart feels open again.
Closing Reflection
Perception is the lens through which we experience the world. When that lens is clouded by pain, fear, or assumption, everything we see appears distorted. But through mindfulness, self-awareness, and compassion, we polish that lens.
We learn to perceive not through the eyes of the wounded self, but through the clarity of the awakened heart.
Your perception is your power. Cultivate it with care.
Namaste,
~S
Expand Your Perception, Heal Humanity
If this message resonates with your soul, your healing journey has already begun. The path of awareness, mindfulness, and emotional mastery is not just personal—it’s collective. Every time you shift your perception, you contribute to the healing of humanity itself.
To deepen your practice and explore these teachings more fully, I invite you to dive into my most recent self-help books—each written as a companion for the soul ready to awaken, release, and rise:
📚 Explore my author page and begin your journey here:
👉 Stephanie Bucklin on Amazon
These books are designed to guide you through emotional healing, self-awareness, and spiritual awakening—helping you embody peace, clarity, and purpose in every area of your life.
✨ Change your perception. Change your life. Change the world.
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