Healing Is Not Linear (And That’s Okay)
If you’ve ever found yourself thinking, “I should be over this by now,” or “Why am I feeling this again?”—you’re not alone. Healing is not a straight line. It doesn’t follow a schedule. And it rarely feels like progress when you’re in the middle of it.
Here’s the truth: healing is messy, nonlinear, and deeply human.
One day, you might feel grounded and at peace. The next, an old memory or trigger pulls you back into sadness, anxiety, or self-doubt. That doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong. It means you're revisiting something that still needs care—and you're strong enough now to face it from a new place.
Why We Expect Healing to Be Linear
Many of us have internalized the idea that growth should be tidy. That if we’re doing therapy or “the work,” we should be getting better in a way that’s predictable and constant. But healing—especially from trauma, burnout, or generational pain—is more like peeling layers of an onion. Each layer brings us closer to the core, but it also might sting.
If you come from a high-achieving, perfectionist, or collectivist background, this can be especially hard. You may feel pressure to "move on" quickly or hide your struggles to avoid being a burden. You may judge yourself for revisiting old wounds. But the truth is, healing happens in spirals, not straight lines.
Signs You Are Healing (Even If It Doesn’t Feel Like It)
You notice your feelings instead of numbing them.
You reach out for support instead of isolating.
You respond instead of react (even if it’s only sometimes).
You set boundaries that once felt impossible.
You feel more like yourself again—sometimes in moments, sometimes in waves.
Even setbacks can be signs of growth. Why? Because you’re noticing them. You're aware. You're choosing to pause and reflect rather than push through.
Give Yourself Permission to Grow Slowly
You don’t need to have it all figured out. You don’t need to get it “right.” You just need to keep showing up for yourself—with gentleness, curiosity, and compassion.
At Soul Prism Therapy, I support clients across Ontario—especially BIPOC, immigrant, and South Asian individuals—who are navigating the nonlinear path of healing. We take it one layer at a time, one breath at a time.
You are not broken. You are becoming.
And you don’t have to do it alone.
[Book a free 15-minute consult] if you’re ready to begin—or begin again.
