Facing Fear with Compassion: A Trauma-Informed Guide to October’s Shadows
October is a month of contrasts. On one hand, it’s filled with fun traditions—pumpkin carving, costumes, and celebrations. On the other hand, it’s a season where fear takes center stage, with haunted houses, scary movies, and eerie decorations filling our neighborhoods. While many see this as playful, for women navigating trauma, anxiety, or depression, the season’s focus on fear can feel overwhelming and triggering.
At Supportive Counseling, LLC, we recognize that certain seasons highlight the very struggles many women are quietly managing. October’s “shadows” are more than a metaphor—they can be a reminder of past pain. The good news? With compassion and grounding strategies, you can move through this season in ways that honor your healing.
When Fear Isn’t Fun
For survivors of trauma, fear doesn’t feel like a game. Loud noises, jump scares, or unsettling images can activate the body’s stress response—the same system triggered during real moments of danger. This can bring back flashbacks, hypervigilance, or panic, making even a lighthearted Halloween outing feel unsafe.
It’s important to know: you’re not alone, and these reactions are valid. Your nervous system is doing its best to protect you.
Trauma-Informed Ways to Cope
If October feels heavy, consider these grounding strategies:
5-4-3-2-1 Technique: When startled, gently notice 5 things you see, 4 things you feel, 3 things you hear, 2 things you smell, and 1 thing you taste. You can also practice along with our YouTube grounding exercise.
Calming Breathwork: Techniques like 4-4-6 breathing help calm the nervous system when fear rises unexpectedly.
Safe Rituals: Create soothing routines like lighting a candle, brewing tea, or playing calming music. For more on how routines tied to nature can help, read our blog on Embracing Nature: A Path to Mental and Physical Well-Being.
Limit Triggers: It’s okay to skip scary movies or avoid haunted houses. Choosing peace over pressure is a form of strength.
New Traditions: Replace fear-centered activities with alternatives—pumpkin painting, cozy dinners, or themed movie nights that feel safe and joyful.
Permission to Say No
For many professional women, there’s pressure to “keep up”—at work events, social gatherings, or with family traditions. Remember, you have permission to set boundaries. Saying no to what doesn’t serve your mental health is a courageous act of self-care.
How Therapy Helps
A trauma-informed approach to therapy helps you understand why certain seasons or events trigger you, and gives you tools to navigate them. You can read more about this journey in our blog The Inner Strength: Navigating the Path of Trauma Healing.
At Supportive Counseling, LLC, we provide online therapy for women in Florida and Colorado who want to reclaim their sense of safety, balance, and joy—even in the face of life’s shadows.
Closing
If October feels less fun and more overwhelming, you don’t have to navigate it alone. With the right support, you can find grounding, comfort, and even joy in the season.
🌿 Book your free consultation today with Supportive Counseling, LLC, and let’s work together to bring light to the shadows.