Be Strong ...

What Does Strength Mean to You? A Mindset Coach's Perspective on Healing from Trauma

Strength is a word that gets tossed around a lot, but what does it really mean when you’ve been through trauma? Especially when that trauma has shaped your perception of yourself, your relationships, and your world? When I work with women who are overcoming abuse and trauma, one of the first things we dive into is what strength truly means in the context of their healing journey.

Many of us, especially women, have been taught to equate strength with external appearances—stoicism, endurance, or being able to push through and keep going no matter the cost. But in my work as a mindset coach, I’ve seen that true strength is not about hiding your pain or pushing through until you’re completely depleted. It’s about cultivating resilience, vulnerability, and self-compassion, even in the face of deep, personal adversity.

Strength is Reclaiming Your Voice

For many women who have faced trauma, silence becomes a default. You may have been silenced by the abuse itself or by societal expectations to stay quiet, to be “strong” by enduring in silence. But true strength lies in reclaiming your voice. It means acknowledging your pain, speaking your truth, and giving yourself permission to express what’s inside.

For some, this may start with journaling, therapy, or having a trusted friend or coach to talk to. For others, it could be through creative outlets like art or music. The key is that strength starts within. It’s finding the courage to say: I matter. My voice matters. My experiences matter.

Strength is Setting Boundaries

When you’ve been through trauma, especially abuse, one of the hardest things to do is set boundaries. You might feel guilty for saying “no” or worry that setting a boundary will make others upset. But boundaries are an essential part of healing and an expression of your inner strength.

Setting boundaries is a way of protecting your energy, emotions, and mental health. It's saying, I deserve respect. I deserve safety. I deserve peace. Strength comes when you stop allowing others to take more from you than you are willing to give. It’s not about being rigid or unkind—it’s about knowing what you need to feel safe, supported, and empowered.

Strength is Being Vulnerable

This might sound counterintuitive to what we usually think of as strength. Society tells us that being vulnerable is a weakness, but the truth is that vulnerability is one of the most powerful expressions of strength.

Being vulnerable means being honest about where you are, about the emotions and thoughts you’re experiencing. It means letting yourself be seen, even when you're scared of judgment or rejection. In the process of healing from trauma, vulnerability allows you to show up authentically, with all your scars, and say, I am enough just as I am. It’s through vulnerability that we connect with others, find support, and ultimately heal.

Strength is Patience with Yourself

One of the biggest misconceptions about strength is that it’s an instant transformation. When you’re healing from trauma, it often feels like you're taking one step forward, two steps back. But strength is not about achieving perfection; it’s about being patient with yourself and showing up every day, even when things feel tough.

Healing is not linear, and neither is strength. It’s okay to have days when you feel weak or broken. Those days do not negate your strength. They are part of the process. You are allowed to take breaks, rest, and honor your needs without guilt.

Strength is Owning Your Healing Journey

For many women, healing from trauma can feel like an uphill battle. But the truth is, you are your own greatest healer. Strength lies in your ability to take ownership of your healing journey. This doesn’t mean you have to do it alone—asking for help, seeking support, and leaning on others are also signs of strength—but it does mean that you are the one in the driver’s seat.

You may not have control over what happened to you, but you have control over how you move forward. And while the road ahead may seem daunting, know that you hold an immense amount of power in your choices. Choosing healing, choosing self-love, choosing to fight for your happiness—that’s strength.

Strength is Loving Yourself Unconditionally

Finally, strength is about learning to love yourself, scars and all. When trauma shakes your sense of self-worth, it’s easy to feel like you're unworthy of love or happiness. But healing begins with the understanding that you are inherently deserving of love, respect, and peace, just as you are.

Self-love doesn’t mean ignoring the pain or pretending it never happened. It means accepting yourself fully, knowing that the parts of you that have been hurt are not your identity. You are more than the trauma you’ve experienced, and you are deserving of all the healing, happiness, and love that life has to offer.

In Conclusion

Strength, when viewed through the lens of healing from trauma, is a deeply personal and transformative journey. It’s not about how tough you appear on the outside—it’s about the quiet courage that rises within you every time you choose to keep going, to show up for yourself, to believe in your worth, and to take steps toward healing, no matter how small they may seem.

To every woman who is reading this, know that you are strong. Your strength is in your voice, in your boundaries, in your vulnerability, in your patience, and in your love for yourself. Healing is possible, and with each day, you are reclaiming your power.

Remember, you are worthy of healing. You are worthy of peace. You are worthy of a life filled with love and joy. Your strength is in the very act of choosing to heal—and that is more powerful than anything else.

If you are struggling with your own healing journey, remember that you don’t have to do it alone. Reach out to a trusted therapist, coach, or community that can support you. Healing starts with the decision to take that first step. And that, my friend, is the definition of strength.