Not All Trauma is Remembered Trauma does not always leave behind a clear, detailed narrative. When an experience is overwhelming, the brain often prioritizes survival over encoding the event, disrupting the systems that place memories in context. Instead of a coherent story, trauma may manifest as gaps, "foggy" periods, or fragmented experiences. You might recall intense emotions or specific body sensations rather than the event itself. This is normal. Memory is inherently reconstructive, and trauma affects how those pieces are stored and accessed. Inconsistencies or missing details do not invalidate your experience; they are simply how the brain manages high-stress responses. You Can Heal Without the Details The absence of a clear memory is not a barrier to healing. In fact, it is often evidence of how your mind protected you when it needed to most. Focus on the Present: Rather than forcing memory retrieval, prioritize your current emotional patterns and physical responses. Cultivate Safety: Working with somatic cues and building a sense of internal and external safety is often more transformative than reconstructing the past. You do not need to "remember it all" to heal. Trust that your body and mind are capable of finding equilibrium, even when the narrative is incomplete.