Today, I want to share 25 of the most powerful lessons I’ve learned about healing through the questions people ask me most often.
These are my top FAQs about healing and the answers I’ve discovered through guiding others and walking my own path.
I hope sharing these lessons inspires you to reflect, take action, and embrace your own healing journey. It may not be easy, but it will definitely be worth it.
25 FAQs to Guide Your Healing
1- What’s the hardest part of healing?
Stepping into the discomfort of self-awareness is usually the hardest part of healing. It requires acknowledging your pain as well as the patterns that have contributed to it. We often resist healing because it forces us to confront truths we’ve avoided. This could be truths about ourselves, others, or the life we’ve built. But in my experience, having the courage to look inward is always rewarded with breakthroughs and unexpected strength.
2- Can I heal without letting go of my past?
Yes, you can. But it starts with changing how you see your past. Healing isn’t about ignoring your past or pretending it didn’t happen, it’s about reframing it. When you stop letting your past define your worth and start viewing it as a tool for deeper self-understanding, you’ll be freed to move forward without judgment, shame, or fear.
3- Is forgiveness necessary for healing?
Not always. Forgiveness isn’t about saying what happened was okay. It’s about freeing yourself from the weight of it. And sometimes, the person you need to forgive most is yourself for holding onto the pain longer than you deserved to. Forgiveness isn’t easy. It’s a process and you can’t fake it or be forced into it. Through self-reflection and compassion, you’ll forgive when you’re ready. And in the meantime, you can continue healing in a way that’s genuine to you.
4- How do I know if I’m making progress in my healing?
You’ll notice it in how you respond to challenges. Instead of reacting right away, you’ll be able to take a pause, show yourself kindness, and handle situations with a sense of calm that you couldn’t before. Progress isn’t always blatantly obvious, but those little moments of self-compassion and clarity are a strong indication you’re on the path to healing. And it’s those little moments that are victories worth celebrating.
5- What role does self-care play in healing?
Self-care recharges your batteries and gives you mental strength. It gives you the energy to keep going through the difficult times, when facing your past feels exhausting. Whether it’s taking a walk, relaxing in a bath, journaling, or just taking a nap, self-care helps you stay strong enough to face the deeper work that healing requires. Don’t forget to put yourself first.
6- How long does healing take?
There’s no set timeline. Healing happens in layers, over a lifetime. The goal isn’t to “finish” healing. It’s to embrace it as an ongoing journey. Telling yourself you need to be healed by a certain deadline only leads to you being dishonest with yourself about where you are in your journey and how much more work you need to do. Instead of putting a deadline on it, track your small victories. Small victories compound and push you closer to your goals.
7- Do I need to be fully healed to live a full life?
Absolutely not. Healing isn’t about arriving at perfection, it’s about progress. Every step you take toward self-awareness and growth allows you to live more fully, even while you’re still healing. We all carry things with us from our past, but we don’t all let them impact our level of well-being. You can, and should, be enjoying life to its fullest while still working on yourself.
8- What if people don’t support my journey?
External support is great to have, but it’s not necessary. Not everyone will understand your journey or the reasons you have for wanting growth. And that’s okay. Your healing is yours, not theirs. Focus on giving yourself the validation you’re looking for. Sometimes, your growth will inspire others to eventually come around to the changes you’re making, but remember, even if they never do, it’s not about them. What matters most is that you keep showing up for yourself.
9- What’s the first step to healing my relationships?
Heal your relationship with yourself first. When you show up whole, you create space for healthier, more authentic connections with others. Always keep in mind you can’t control other people’s feelings or actions, you can only control your own. Do the work on yourself and you’ll find that fixing the relationships in your life comes more naturally than expecting people to change just because you want them to.
10- Can I heal and still feel pain?
Yes, of course. Pain is a natural part of life and growth. Healing isn’t about avoiding pain, it’s about building the tools to navigate it with balance and resilience. It’s important to acknowledge all of your feelings, and if that’s pain, there’s no shame in letting yourself experience that emotional hurt. Suppressing emotions won’t help you heal faster. If anything, it’ll hold you back. And just because you still feel pain doesn’t mean you’re not making progress, so hang in there and keep doing the work.
11- How do I deal with relapsing into old patterns?
Falling back into old patterns doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It’s part of the process and happens to the best of us. Every time you slip up, you’re learning what triggers you so you can handle it better next time. Take it easy on yourself and show yourself some leniency. Growth isn’t about never falling. Growth is about choosing to get back up and keep doing the work on yourself even when you feel like you’ve just taken two steps back.
12- What if I feel stuck in my healing journey?
Feeling stuck is often a sign that a breakthrough is closer than you think. When it happens, attempt to shift your focus. Try something new, ask for support, or allow yourself to rest. Remember, small steps add up, and those quiet victories matter just as much as the big breakthroughs.
13- How do I stay motivated to keep healing?
Think about why you started. What’s the life you’re working toward? How will you feel when you’re finally able to let go of the past? Hold onto that vision when things feel tough. And don’t wait for the big wins to celebrate. Keep a daily journal so you can reflect on the good days and remind yourself how far you’ve come. Even revisiting the hardest days will show you how resilient you are and give you the confidence to keep moving forward. You’re doing the work, and that’s worth acknowledging every single day.
14-What if healing makes me feel worse before it feels better?
That’s normal. Healing stirs up emotions and memories that you need to process. Think of it like clearing out a cluttered room. When you first get started, things can feel messier before they start to feel organized again. It’s the same with your emotions. You might experience an overwhelming onslaught of emotion you think you’re not equipped to deal with, but you are. And bit by bit you’ll clear out the emotions that don’t serve you so you can focus on the ones that do.
15-How do I deal with the fear of change during healing?
Fear of change is totally natural. It’s just your brain trying to keep you safe from the unknown. Acknowledge your fear instead of fighting it or trying to ignore it. You don’t need to change everything all at once. Take small, manageable steps and let yourself adjust as you go. Change is hard for most people, so don’t be too hard on yourself for feeling scared. It’s okay to feel that way. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other and keep trusting yourself and the process.
16- How do I navigate healing while dealing with external stress?
In a perfect world, you’d be able to focus exclusively on your healing. But unfortunately, life goes on, which means you may find yourself caught between the struggles of growth and daily life. Just remember to only focus on what’s within your control. Build small, grounding practices into your daily routine, like deep breathing or short walks, to help you center yourself when life starts pulling your focus from your healing journey. Checking in with yourself throughout the day will help keep you on track.
17- Why does healing sometimes feel selfish?
Because society often equates self-focus with selfishness. Remind yourself that your healing isn’t selfish, it’s self-preserving. By prioritizing your well-being, you show up better for others. You’re not selfish for wanting to be the best, happiest version of yourself. If being that version means you have to occasionally put yourself before others, you go right ahead and do just that.
18- What if healing changes who I am?
Isn’t that the point? Healing helps you shed layers of pain, fear, and limiting beliefs, allowing the truest version of yourself to come out. Lean into your evolution and know that you’re not losing any parts of yourself that you’ll miss. You’ll still be you, just a more mentally strong, happier, and more fulfilled version of you. The you that you’ve always wanted to be.
19- What role does acceptance play in healing?
Acceptance is the bridge between resistance and peace. It’s not about liking or approving of what happened in your past, but acknowledging it without judgment so you can move on without carrying that weight. Acceptance can feel overwhelming, as it means facing things head-on, but it can also feel freeing and life-changing. Like forgiveness, acceptance can’t be forced or faked. Acceptance will happen when you’re ready.
20- What’s the role of gratitude in healing?
Gratitude changes your focus from what’s missing in your life to what’s present. It doesn’t erase your pain, but it helps you see the light in the darkness. It will give you hope and allow you to heal. Daily gratitude journaling will keep a balance between dealing with the emotions of your past and being thankful for what you have and how far you’ve come. You have a lot to be thankful for, even if it doesn’t always feel like it.
21- How do I know if I’m resisting healing?
Resisting healing often looks like keeping yourself constantly busy, distracting yourself with work or social media, or turning to things that numb your feelings, like overeating or substances. If you feel restless or stuck, it could be your inner self asking you to slow down and pay attention. Journaling is a great way to work out your emotions and pinpoint ways you’re using avoidance to disconnect from the ongoing work of healing.
22- What’s the biggest misconception about healing?
That it’s a straight line from pain to peace. Healing is more like a spiral. You’ll revisit old wounds multiple times, but each time with a little more clarity and strength. There is no finish line for healing and it’s not about never feeling the pain of the past peek up, but it is about handling things better when they do surface. Your past will no longer have the power to dictate your future. Through healing, you release yourself from the pain, emotions, and stories that are living rent-free in your mind so you can re-enter the present without burden.
23- What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned about healing?
That healing is an act of self-love. It’s choosing to show up for yourself, even on the hard days, because you’re worth it. Healing is ongoing, and it’s one of the most impactful things you can do for yourself, your future, and those in it.
24- Is healing a solo journey, or do I need help?
Both. While healing requires personal commitment, seeking professional guidance through a therapist, coach, community, or even natural medicine can accelerate your growth and provide valuable perspectives. Healing can be an introspective journey or it can be a guided journey where you’ll have the professional expertise to keep you on track and the tools to process each stage of your transformation.
25- How do I start my healing journey?
Start with what’s calling your attention the loudest. This could be a recurring thought, a stuck emotion, or a pattern you’re ready to change. Listening to your inner voice is the first step toward clarity.
If you’re unsure where to begin or need guidance, let’s figure it out together. Healing isn’t something you have to do alone.
Click here to book your free healing coaching call
Together, we can figure out your first step toward the peace and freedom you deserve.
Or if you want to get started on your own, here’s how you can start now…
Action Step
This week, let’s focus on starting small. Don’t put pressure on yourself to have any big breakthroughs. Just be honest with yourself. Don’t edit your emotions or avoid something because it feels overwhelming.
The goal is progress, not perfection.
Let’s work on identifying one thing, big or small, you’d like to heal from, and how you can take tiny steps toward starting your healing journey:
- Pinpoint What Needs Healing: Take 10 minutes today to sit quietly with your thoughts. What keeps showing up in your mind? Is it an unresolved memory, a lingering emotion, or a behavior you want to change? Write it down, even if it’s messy. Awareness is the first step.
- Create a Simple Plan: Based on what you wrote, choose one small action you can take this week to address it. For example, if it’s an overwhelming emotion, commit to journaling about it for 5 minutes a day. If it’s a behavior, set a realistic boundary to start shifting it.
- Track Your Wins: Healing is about progress, not perfection. Each evening this week, reflect on one thing you did to move forward, no matter how small it was. Write it down to remind yourself of your strength and commitment to growth.
Healing takes time, patience, and consistent action. These small steps might seem simple, but they create powerful momentum.
Take this week to focus on progress, and remember, you’re never alone in this journey. I’m always a click or call away.
Because healing shared is healing amplified. 🙂
