Nobody likes to talk about how hard it is to leave an emotionally abusive job, heal from the trauma you have experienced in the workplace, and stop living in survivor mode. Nobody tells you that healing won’t happen overnight, and that it will take all of the strength and courage you didn’t know you had to heal and move on with your life. They don’t tell you that you’ll forever be changed, that you won’t ever be the person that you used to be, that the trauma you experienced on that job will impact you as a professional for the remainder of your career.
It’s been 9 years since I encountered the most horrific work trauma in my life, and 7 years since I walked away from that job and made a conscious decision to put myself first. Here are a few things that have helped me throughout the years to navigate through my own work trauma and healing journey:
📌Learning about trauma and how it has impacted me
📌A lot of therapy sessions
📌Practicing self care & self love
📌Implementing grounding techniques
📌Learning how to set healthy boundaries
📌Remembering that “No” is a complete sentence
📌Surrounding myself with a tribe of people who don’t judge or label me when I talk about my experience
📌Removing myself from unhealthy situations and from the presence of toxic people
To help professionals like yourself to be seen and heard, I now host safe spaces that allow people to come together and talk about their work experiences. One of the greatest obstacles that individuals face when dealing with a toxic job or boss, is finding someone who will listen without passing judgment. If you have endured micro-aggressions, discrimination, or harassment on your job, are overworked and underpaid, or been passed over for a promotion and feel unseen and unheard, click here to learn more about the next safe space and consider joining us!
If you aren’t a group person, but would still like a space to talk about your toxic work experience, click here to learn about Dr. Yazeed’s 1-on-1 private sessions.
Dr. Carey Yazeed is a Behavioral Scientist and a survivor of work trauma. She is the creator of Unbreak My Soul: How Black Women Can Begin To Heal From Workplace Trauma.