Finding Light in the Dark: How Even Trauma Can Have Its Lighter Moments

Trauma can feel like this heavy weight on your chest, like it’s all you see or think about. It can take up so much space in your life that you forget there’s room for anything else. But here’s the thing: even in the darkest moments, there are flashes of light that sneak through.

I know how it feels to be consumed by trauma. But the truth is, there are small things—sometimes tiny, sometimes unexpected—that still bring a sense of relief. They don’t erase the pain, but they remind us that joy, peace, and even a little bit of laughter still exist, even when it feels like everything else is hard.

For me, it’s those little things that make all the difference. Maybe it’s watching my dog do something goofy or hearing my kids laugh at some inside joke they have. It’s those moments where, for a second, I’m reminded of the good things. And it’s not about ignoring what’s happened or pretending like everything’s fine—it’s about letting those lighter moments coexist with the darker ones.

I’ve also found that humor is one of my biggest coping tools. Sometimes, when the weight of it all feels too much, finding something to laugh at—even if it’s something completely silly—can take a little of the heaviness away. It’s like a quick reset for my mind, just a few minutes of breathing room.

And here’s the thing: having moments of lightness doesn’t mean we’re minimizing our trauma or pretending it doesn’t hurt. You can hold space for both—the pain and the joy. Life is messy, and it’s full of both sides. But sometimes, those moments of light are exactly what we need to keep moving forward.

So, if you find yourself smiling at something random or laughing at a joke that doesn’t feel quite right, don’t feel guilty about it. Those moments matter too. They’re part of healing, even if they don’t take the pain away completely. They remind us that no matter how dark it gets, there’s still room for light.