Written by Kiana Mannani
Trauma has a way of shaking us to our core. It doesn’t ask for permission, and it can leave us feeling like we’ll never be the same again. For the longest time, I used to think that trauma was something you just survived—that you went through it, endured it, and then did your best to move on. But over time, I’ve come to understand something different: trauma can also be the catalyst for growth—the kind of growth that reshapes you, pushes you forward, and helps you build a version of yourself that’s stronger, wiser, and more resilient than before. This is what’s known as post-traumatic growth (PTG), and it’s something that’s been transformative in my own journey.
What Is Post-Traumatic Growth?
When we talk about post-traumatic growth, we’re not saying that trauma is a good thing or that it should happen to anyone. Trauma, in whatever form it takes, is devastating. But PTG suggests that through the pain, suffering, and hardship, people can emerge with a new sense of meaning, strength, and purpose.
I didn’t fully understand PTG until I found myself navigating my own healing journey after a difficult period in my life. At first, I felt like I was just trying to “get back to normal”—to restore myself to the way I was before everything happened. But slowly, as I kept moving forward (even when it felt like crawling at times), I realized something profound: I wasn’t going back to the old version of myself. I was creating a new one.
Growth That Shaped My Journey
Through books, therapy, and countless hours of reflection, I learned that post-traumatic growth doesn’t just happen in one area of life—it can manifest in several ways. Here are five of the key areas where I’ve personally seen growth since the trauma:
- A New Sense of Personal Strength
After experiencing something that breaks you, you start to realize how strong you really are. It’s easy to feel small or helpless in the face of overwhelming events, but over time, I began to notice just how much I had already survived. The strength I found within myself didn’t come from a sudden rush of confidence, but from the quiet realization that I could hold space for my pain, endure it, and keep moving forward. This new sense of inner strength has stayed with me and helps me face challenges today with a lot more courage than I had before. - A Deeper Appreciation for Life
One of the unexpected gifts of post-traumatic growth is a deepened sense of gratitude. After going through something that makes you question the fragility of life, you start to cherish the small moments more. I find myself appreciating ordinary days more than I ever did before—time spent with loved ones, quiet mornings, simple pleasures. Trauma opened my eyes to the fleeting nature of life, and in turn, I began to treasure every moment a little more. - A Shift in Priorities
When your world is turned upside down, you’re forced to reassess what really matters. The things I once thought were so important—career milestones, material success, external validation—no longer hold the same weight. Trauma taught me that what matters most is connection, kindness, and living authentically. I’ve become more intentional about where I invest my time and energy, and it’s been a game-changer in how I approach life. I’ve learned that peace and fulfillment don’t come from what you achieve, but from how you show up for yourself and others. - Increased Compassion for Others
I used to think I understood suffering, but it wasn’t until I experienced deep pain myself that I truly got it. I now approach others with a sense of empathy that I didn’t have before. Trauma has opened my heart in a way that makes me more patient, understanding, and gentle with those who are struggling. The more I’ve navigated my own healing, the more I realize how universal human pain is, and how important it is to show kindness in both big and small ways. - A New Sense of Purpose
Perhaps the most surprising form of growth I’ve experienced is in discovering a deeper sense of purpose. Trauma pushed me to question everything—my beliefs, my values, my place in the world. And through that questioning, I began to uncover what really drives me. Whether it’s helping others through their own struggles, creating art, or simply being present for the people I love, I’ve developed a clearer sense of what matters to me. This renewed sense of purpose has made me feel more aligned with my life than I ever was before, even though it was born from pain.
Growth Doesn’t Mean Perfection
Post-traumatic growth isn’t a linear process, and it certainly doesn’t mean that everything magically gets better. It’s not about being “healed” or perfect—it’s about the small, ongoing ways that we evolve and stretch beyond the limitations trauma once placed on us. Some days, I still feel the weight of the past. I still have moments of fear, sadness, and doubt. But what I’ve learned is that healing is messy and unpredictable. Growth doesn’t look the same for everyone, and that’s okay.
What’s important is knowing that even in our brokenness, there’s potential for transformation. Even in our darkest moments, there’s room for light to shine through. Post-traumatic growth doesn’t erase the pain—it integrates it, allowing us to live fuller, more authentic lives.
Embracing the Journey
If you’re reading this and feeling like you’re stuck in the aftermath of something difficult, know this: growth is possible, even if it feels far away right now. You’re not on the other side of it yet, but the seeds of strength, gratitude, and purpose are already there—inside you, waiting to bloom.
So give yourself grace. Take it one day at a time. And remember that while trauma may change you, it doesn’t define you. What defines you is how you choose to move forward.
And maybe, just maybe, you’ll find that the person you become after the storm is even more powerful than the person you were before.
For more information on trauma and trauma informed care, please visit our resources on our website.