Module 4: Stay Connected to Family, Friends, Faith, and your Therapist!
Your home fire will likely become a topic of conversation with everyone you see. Most people mean well, but they may not fully understand the impact that talking about the fire can have on you. It’s natural to want to run and hide from everyone, but avoiding connection isn’t the path to healing. Connection is an essential part of recovery, and there are ways to navigate it in your new daily life.
Who is a safe person to talk to?
This should be someone you can be completely honest with, someone you can let your emotions flow freely with. If you don’t have that person in your life, finding a therapist is essential. Speaking from experience as a therapist, my “person” is my own therapist—someone I can share everything with without holding back. It’s perfectly okay if this person is not a friend or family member. It is probably better if it is not.
How do I set boundaries and limit conversations about the fire?
As mentioned, talking about the fire can be triggering. Many clients have stated, “I feel like I am on display.” Instead of running away from people, here are some statements you can use to set boundaries respectfully.
“Thank you so much for your concern. Right now, talking about the fire is too much for me. What I really need is a few minutes to feel normal. Can we talk about what’s new with you?”
“Thank you for checking in. Discussing the fire is still very difficult for me, but we’re doing the best we can. Right now, we need to focus on what feels normal and helps us move forward.”
Setting boundaries doesn’t mean shutting people out—it means protecting your emotional energy so you can heal while still maintaining connection in a way that feels safe and supportive.
Find a Therapist
We understand that many people feel hesitant to take this step, and that’s completely okay. But moving forward and navigating this process with a therapist can be incredibly healing and supportive — you don’t have to do it alone. Below are some places you can get support and you can also contact your insurance provider for a list of therapists.
Still hesitant to start therapy? Join the Our Front Porch Stress Management group. You can listen in at first. But it will show you that you are not the only one experiencing this, and it’s normal to feel the way you think. And you will also get some great tips to help manage all the stress and anxiety you are feeling.