Healing Isn’t Linear: Embracing the Waves of Growth and Return

Healing has a rhythm—one that rarely follows a straight line. It twists, spirals, pauses, and even loops back on itself. And yet, so many of us hold ourselves to an expectation that once we’ve done the work, we should feel better, always. That we should be “over it” by now. That relapses into grief, anxiety, or old patterns mean we’ve failed.

But this is simply not true. Healing isn’t linear.

It is a return. A remembering. A deepening into ourselves again and again.

The Myth of Constant Progress

We live in a culture that celebrates forward momentum: goals achieved, breakthroughs had, wounds stitched closed and left behind. This mindset can make it feel like a setback means starting from scratch.

But in truth, healing looks much more like a spiral than a straight line.

You may revisit old wounds. You may grieve the same heartbreaks again, only this time from a deeper place of awareness. You may find yourself triggered even after years of inner work. None of this is a sign of failure—it’s a sign you’re human.

Healing doesn’t mean you’ll never feel pain again. It means you’re learning how to meet your pain with presence, love, and resilience.

Signs You’re Still Healing (Even If It Feels Messy)

• You cry and feel relief afterward.

• You notice your reactions more quickly, even if they still happen.

• You pause and breathe before you respond.

• You catch old thought patterns and choose a new one—sometimes.

• You feel more at home in your body, even if only for a few minutes at a time.

• You show up for yourself with kindness when it’s hardest.

These are all beautiful signs of progress, even when things feel slow or heavy.

Healing is a Return to Self

Each time you fall down and choose to come back with tenderness…

Each time you offer yourself grace instead of judgment…

Each time you reach for support instead of shutting down…

You are healing.

You are learning to trust that even in your darkest moments, you are not broken—you are becoming.

Let the Setbacks Be Sacred

What if the moments where you feel like you’re “regressing” are actually invitations to go deeper?

What if they’re not wrong, but wise?

Every dip is an opportunity to integrate. To soften into compassion. To reconnect with your body. To affirm your resilience. The spiral may bring you back around, but you are never in the same place twice.

This time, you come with more tools. More truth. More self-awareness. More courage.

A Loving Reminder

You’re allowed to have days where everything aches again.

You’re allowed to revisit grief, heartbreak, fear, or confusion.

You’re allowed to be both healing and hurting.

Progress isn’t measured by how perfect you feel.

It’s measured by how lovingly you return to yourself.

So if today feels heavy, that’s okay.

Take a breath. Place your hand on your heart. Remind yourself:

“This too is part of the journey. I am healing, even now.”

If this resonates with you, tune into the Healing Energy Collective podcast episode “Healing Isn’t Linear” for gentle reflections and practices to support you through the waves. If you’re interested in diving deeper with nervous system regulation tools, I invite you to explore the Healing Energy Collective membership and for heartbreak healing, join Healing from Heartbreak: Returning to Wholeness.

You’re not behind. You’re becoming.