Trigger Warning!

It has been a while since I have posted, and I have missed connecting with you all through writing. Life has been hectic, and to be honest, the recent election stirred up a lot of emotions. I am not here to dive into politics—my blog is a space dedicated to love, peace, and bringing awareness to our shared journeys with cancer. But I do want to talk about what that experience triggered for me and how I worked through it.

First, a little background on me. I am someone who, over the years, realized that my personality is a blend of both introverted and extroverted qualities. Yep, I am what is called an “ambivert” (both introverted and extroverted)) If you’ve ever met me in person, you might think, “There’s no way this guy is an introvert.” And I get it—I can be social, open, and maybe even seem like the life of the party at times. Get a few drinks in me at Disney, and you will definitely see the party flow! But when it comes to expressing my inner feelings, my inclination is to be reserved, private, and reflective.

Writing is my main way of giving voice to those deeper, quieter sides of myself. When something triggers strong emotions, I retreat a bit. Instead of talking it out right away, I spend time processing it internally, and eventually, I write about it. Writing gives me a safe space to work through feelings I might otherwise keep to myself. It is a bit like a release valve, a way to let those emotions breathe while still honoring my more private nature.

When triggers hit—like the intensity of this election—it can be easy to get overwhelmed or feel blocked. My process for getting through it starts with giving myself the space to feel whatever comes up. Then, I try to gradually work those thoughts out through words. For me, writing is not just an outlet; it is a form of therapy. It lets me express my experiences, share what I have learned, and hopefully, give you something that resonates.

So, are triggers bad or good? I don’t think the triggers themselves are the problem—it is how we react to them that truly matters. Life is one big trigger just waiting to be pulled, and how we choose to handle it is what sets us apart. For example, with this election: four years is just four years. It is not the end of the world. I was given a year to live a year ago. Now that’s a big trigger! Yet here I am, still writing, still laughing, still driving my husband nuts. And I plan to keep doing that for another year, and another year after that.

Triggers will always be a part of life, but so will resilience, laughter, and love. And as long as I have those, I am good. Thanks for being here, sharing in this journey, and helping me keep pulling through.