Phase 2: Safety Zone (Emotional Numbness)

Safety Zone, or an emotional numbness, refers to a state where a person feels disconnected from their emotions, experiencing a lack of emotional responsiveness. It can manifest as feeling emotionally empty, or having difficulty connecting with others or a situation on an emotional level. The Safety Zone can be the result of various factors, including trauma, stress or mental health conditions. However, we’ll primarily be focusing on emotional numbness as a coping mechanism when faced with uncertainty.

Here are some strategies to address being emotionally stuck in the Safety Zone:

1. Self-Awareness:

Recognize and acknowledge that you are experiencing a disconnect from your surroundings. Self-awareness is the first step toward moving through this phase of healing.

One way to improve self-awareness is journaling. Keep track of your emotions and thoughts. Writing can be a therapeutic way to explore your feelings and uncover underlying causes.

As with the last phase (and future phases), engaging in meditation or other mindful practices will help you become more self-aware. By focusing on the present moment and your physical sensations, you reconnect with yourself (and your emotions).

2. Let Go of Resistance & Practice Acceptance:

What we resist persists. Acceptance, on the other hand, allows us to bring clarity to our present reality so we can begin to move forward without getting stuck or blinded by fear-related responses (such as blaming, arguing or shutting down completely).

In other words, get to know your preferred resistance style. Use this knowledge to recognize when you’re being resistant in times of uncertainty. Then practice acceptance to remove those resistant fear blockers so you can begin to think more clearly.

3. Practice Self-Care:

Pay attention to your physical well-being. Ensure you are getting enough sleep, eating well, and engaging in regular exercise, as these factors can influence your emotional state. Even small acts of self-care can make a big difference.

4. Set Small Emotional “Safety Zone” Goals:

Start with small steps to reconnect with your emotions. For example, try to identify one positive emotion you’ve felt each day or practice smiling more often, even if it doesn’t feel entirely genuine at first.

5. Talk to Someone:

Share your feelings with a trusted friend, family member, or therapist. Talking about your emotions can help you process them and gain insights into what might be causing the numbness.

6. Connect with Supportive Communities:

Join support groups or communities where you can share your experiences with others who may have similar struggles. Feeling understood and supported can be therapeutic.

Safety Zone Final Notes

It’s important to be patient with yourself as you work to overcome emotional numbness in the Safety Zone. It may take time, and there may be ups and downs along the way. The key is to seek help and use various strategies to gradually reconnect with your emotions and regain a sense of emotional well-being.