Trusting Yourself Again – How to Rebuild Inner Confidence After Trauma
Trauma has a way of breaking not only our hearts, but our sense of trust—especially the trust we once had in ourselves. Many women who have experienced trauma, addiction, or incarceration find themselves constantly second-guessing their choices, feeling disconnected from their instincts, and unsure of their ability to move forward with confidence.
At Awaken Your Lioness, we believe that one of the most powerful steps in healing is learning to trust yourself again—to reconnect with your inner wisdom, honor your truth, and believe that you are capable of creating a life rooted in peace, purpose, and power.
How Trauma Impacts Self-Trust
When you've experienced trauma—especially betrayal, neglect, or systemic disempowerment—it can cause deep internal ruptures. You may feel:
Afraid to make decisions for fear of failing
Disconnected from your gut instincts
Ashamed of past choices
Constantly seeking validation from others
Confused about who you are or what you want
These patterns don’t mean you’re broken. They are responses to pain. The good news is that trust can be rebuilt—and it starts within.
Steps to Rebuild Self-Trust After Trauma
1. Acknowledge Where Trust Was Broken
Reflect on the moments where trust was lost—both with others and with yourself. Naming those experiences gives you clarity and offers compassion for why you may feel uncertain now.
2. Reconnect With Your Inner Voice
Your intuition might feel buried, but it’s still there. Start by tuning into what your body feels in moments of decision. Do you feel tightness? Calm? Resistance? Over time, these signals will grow stronger.
3. Make Small, Aligned Decisions
Start rebuilding self-trust by taking small actions that honor your truth. Even something as simple as choosing what you want to eat, saying no, or resting when needed reminds your nervous system: “I can trust myself to take care of me.”
4. Practice Integrity with Yourself
Keep the promises you make to yourself—no matter how small. When you commit to a daily walk, journaling, or saying a positive affirmation, follow through. Consistency builds credibility within your relationship with yourself.
5. Silence the Inner Critic with Compassion
Replace self-judgment with understanding. Speak to yourself as you would a friend. When mistakes happen, say, “That was hard, but I’m learning. I still trust myself to grow.”
Rebuilding Self-Trust Is a Journey
Healing after trauma is not about having all the answers—it’s about coming home to yourself. When you begin to trust your voice, your boundaries, and your heart again, you reclaim a powerful part of who you are.
At Awaken Your Lioness, we are here to walk with you as you remember that you are not defined by the past. You are defined by your ability to rise from it.
You can trust yourself to heal. You can trust yourself to rebuild. And you can trust yourself to thrive.
