How Do You Fight Flight or Freeze?

We all have survival habits that show up when feeling real or perceived threats. Some are obvious like anger, arguing, or walking away. Others are quiet like shutting down, withdrawing, going numb, or feeling stuck. 

As you look at the patterns below, notice which feel familiar. 

Simply noticing is the first step to freeing yourself from survival patterns that you once needed and that may now be holding you back.

Fight – Direct/Assertive Survival Response

Trigger: Perceived threat, challenge, or injustice

Flight – Avoidance/Escape Survival Response

Trigger: Fear, overwhelm, or threat of rejection/failure

Freeze – Immobility/Withdrawal Survival Response

Trigger: Overwhelm, helplessness, or inability to respond

Take a moment to consider them a second time and notice the ways they protected you in the past.  Give yourself permission to appreciate how they once served you. 

Once you are complete, consider the possibility that they may no longer align with the relationships and life experience you intend. Simply acknowledging this is an important step in moving forward in ways that truly matter to you.