Understanding the Trap: Why facing the “bad times” is the way out.

A guide on how to be honest about the mess so you can finally move through it. When you’re going through a rough patch, it helps to look at it like you’re a detective trying to figure out how a trap works. If you don’t slow down to see exactly what’s holding you back, you never really get the chance to cry or be sad about it—and strangely, being honest about that sadness is the only way to finally feel better and move into a happier space. A lot of people hate “positive thinking” or “affirmations” because they feel fake. If you just tell yourself “I’m happy” when you’re actually hurting, you’re just ignoring the problem, which keeps you stuck. It’s like trying to pretend a trap isn’t there while it’s still clamped on your leg. But there’s a big difference between pretending and telling the truth. >

• Pretending (Delusional): Ignoring the trap and hoping it goes away.
• Telling the Truth (Grounded): Saying, “Yes, this trap is real and it hurts, but I am not alone, and there is a way through this even if I can’t see it all yet.”

The goal is to study the “bad time” so you can see how it’s built. Once you understand it, you aren’t just a victim anymore. You’re mapping out the mess so you can take it apart, piece by piece—sometimes by yourself, and sometimes with a bit of help. In the end, it’s not just about getting out of the trap; it’s about becoming the kind of person who knows how traps work. That way, you can keep yourself safe in the future. You move from being “stuck” to being someone who has the power to find the exit, so the “bad times” don’t get to tell you who you are anymore. Once you’re out, those same honest truths act like a shield, helping you stay free and keep your space peaceful.