The Truth About Healing: Patience, Rest, and Moving Forward

A year after Hurricane Helene, many of us are still processing trauma while navigating the pressures of the holiday season. If you're struggling with grief, burnout, or feeling like recovery is taking longer than expected, this conversation is for you.

I sit down with licensed mental health counselor Jake Orr to explore moral injury, trauma recovery, and why healing doesn't follow a timeline. We talk about what happens when trigger dates hit, how to recognize burnout before it takes over, and why winter might be the perfect time to slow down instead of pushing through.

Whether you're a first responder dealing with moral injury, someone recovering from trauma, or just feeling overwhelmed by holiday expectations, this episode offers practical strategies for coping. We discuss the importance of rest, how to stop over-giving, the power of saying no, and why it's okay to stop retelling your trauma story and start focusing on what's ahead.

If you've been feeling guilty about not "being over it" yet, or if you're exhausted from trying to meet everyone's expectations this season, this conversation will help you give yourself permission to heal at your own pace.

Topics covered: trauma recovery, moral injury, PTSD, first responder mental health, burnout prevention, holiday stress, grief after disaster, Hurricane Helene recovery, coping strategies, mental health support, self-care, setting boundaries, Sabbath rest, trigger dates, healing timeline

🌿 Stay Connected & Join the Work in Western North Carolina

If you'd like to follow more stories of recovery, community strength, and the people rebuilding Western North Carolina, here's where you can find us:

Instagram:
➡️ instagram.com/thesharondecker

Tapestry Collaborative (Nonprofit):
➡️ https://www.tapestrycollaborative.com

WNC Recovery Resources & How to Help:
➡️ https://wncrecovery.nc.gov

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Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction: A Year After Hurricane Helene
02:01 - What Is Moral Injury?
04:16 - Why Recovery Takes Longer Than Expected
06:24 - Returning to Traditions After Trauma
08:28 - Moving Forward vs. Retelling the Story
10:17 - Moral Injury Beyond First Responders
12:58 - How to Help First Responders Seek Support
14:50 - Understanding Burnout: The Race to the Finish
16:35 - Winter as a Season for Rest and Renewal
18:49 - Practicing Sabbath and Saying No
21:14 - Final Advice: Patience, Goals, and Self-Care

Key Takeaways:
Moral injury involves feeling powerless or violating personal moral boundaries
Recovery doesn't follow a calendar—trigger dates are real
Burnout comes from over giving and neglecting self-care
Winter is a natural time to slow down and rest
It's okay to stop retelling your trauma story and focus forward
Setting measurable goals helps create intentional change