10 Signs You’re Experiencing Post Traumatic Growth
Here at Reclaim Therapy, we know healing is a deeply personal, nonlinear journey. Growth doesn’t erase the pain, but it can rise alongside it.
Post traumatic growth doesn't erase the pain, but it can rise alongside it.
Post traumatic growth definition:
Post traumatic growth (PTG) describes the changes people may experience through the process of grappling with and healing after a traumatic event or events.
It's not about finding a silver lining or forcing positivity—it's about noticing, when you're ready, how you may be changing in ways that feel meaningful.
Originally coined by psychologists Richard Tedeschi and Lawrence Calhoun, post-traumatic growth offers a hopeful lens on the healing process.
We want to emphasize this: PTG is not the goal of healing.
You don't have to find growth to be “healed” or “successful.” And growth doesn't mean you'll never struggle again. It simply reflects the ways trauma may sometimes reshape us in surprising, even beautiful ways.
Post Traumatic Growth Examples
Experiencing a traumatic event can leave lasting effects on your mental health. For some, the path forward includes navigating symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or other emotional challenges. But in time—and with the right support—many individuals begin to notice positive outcomes that emerge not in spite of their trauma, but alongside it. This process is known as post traumatic growth.
Post traumatic growth doesn’t mean your pain disappears or that healing is quick or easy. Rather, it’s the gradual, deeply personal transformation that can follow adversity. It’s found in the way you reconnect with yourself, rebuild your sense of meaning, and discover new strengths you didn’t know you had.
Below are 10 examples of post traumatic growth—shared with the understanding that healing is never linear, and there’s no one “right” way to recover.
1. You're Starting to Notice an Inner Strength
There may have been moments when you thought, I won't make it through this. But here you are. You've made it.
While not every day feels easy—or even manageable—you’ve started to recognize a quiet resilience within yourself. This inner strength is often one of the earliest signs of positive growth after a traumatic experience. It reflects a shift in your sense of self: you’ve endured something incredibly difficult, and you’re still moving forward in your own way.
This kind of positive psychological change isn’t about being invincible or holding everything together. It’s about showing up for yourself, even on the hardest days—and that matters more than perfection.
The reminder: Strength doesn't mean invincibility, or that you need to hold it all together. It means showing up for yourself, even when it's hard.
2. You're Craving Deeper, More Authentic Connections
Maybe you've let go of relationships that no longer feel safe or fulfilling. Or you're beginning to gravitate toward people who see you—really see you. After trauma, it’s common to reexamine your core beliefs about trust, love, and connection, which can lead to a desire for deeper, more meaningful relationships.
This shift often reflects both personal strength and a growing openness to new possibilities—the kind of connections that honor who you are now, not just who you were before.
The nuance: You're learning to trust at your own pace, and that's enough.
3. Small Moments Feel More Precious
After experiencing psychological trauma, you might find yourself cherishing the little things: the warmth of sunlight, laughter with a friend, or the comfort of a quiet moment. Trauma has a way of sharpening our awareness of life’s fragility—and in its wake, positive growth can emerge as a deeper appreciation for what’s here now.
You might find yourself cherishing the little things: the warmth of sunlight, laughter with a friend, or the comfort of a quiet moment. This mindful presence can become part of your positive legacy—a quiet, powerful way of honoring what you've been through by choosing to notice and value the beauty in everyday moments.
Why it matters: This isn't about toxic positivity. It's about letting joy exist alongside everything else.
4. You're Open to New Possibilities
In the aftermath of psychological struggle, trauma can prompt you to reimagine what life can look like. Maybe you've picked up a new hobby, considered a career change, or stepped into relationships in new ways. These small shifts often reflect not just healing, but the emergence of positive personality traits like courage, openness, and adaptability.
It's not about erasing the past—it’s about staying curious and exploring new possibilities that feel more aligned with who you are now.
A note: Change is scary. Being open to it, even a tiny, little bit, is a meaningful sign of growth.
5. You're Reflecting on Your Values and What Matters Most
Experiencing post traumatic stress symptoms can lead to a deeper awareness of your emotional landscape—and in some cases, spark meaningful reflection. Many people navigating their mental health journey find themselves asking: What do I truly care about? What kind of life do I want to build from here?
This process can bring clarity about your values, priorities, and the kind of life you want to build, even if it looks different than before. This kind of self-inquiry can lead to positive changes in how you live, love, and show up for yourself. It might mean shifting your priorities, redefining your purpose, or simply gaining clarity on what matters most to you now—even if it’s different than before.
The truth: You don't have to have it all figured out. Reflection alone is a powerful step.
6. You're Offering Yourself More Compassion
One of the lesser-known signs of posttraumatic growth is the development of deeper self-compassion. Healing isn’t linear, and some days still feel heavy. But you may have noticed a shift—a softer inner voice, a growing willingness to treat yourself with the same care you'd offer a loved one. Self-compassion doesn't mean ignoring pain, it means seeing it and honoring it without judgment.
This ability to respond with kindness rather than criticism reflects real positive changes in how you relate to yourself. In fact, tools like the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory often highlight self-compassion and emotional strength as key areas of growth after trauma.
The shift: You don't have to be perfect to deserve kindness, especially from yourself. Compassion is part of your healing, not a reward for it.
7. You're Advocating for Your Needs and Setting Boundaries
As your mental health improves, you may gain clarity about what you need to feel safe, respected, and valued. This healing process often brings with it the courage to seek support, speak up, and set boundaries that honor your emotional and even spiritual growth.
Whether it’s in your home, workplace, or personal relationships, choosing to protect your peace is one of the most powerful positive aspects of post-trauma recovery. You may find yourself setting boundaries at home, at work, or in relationships. This can feel uncomfortable at first, but it's a sign of growth when you start to prioritize your own well-being.
The empowerment: Your needs are valid, and you're allowed to protect your peace.
8. You're Letting Go of What No Longer Serves You
Letting go is a process—especially when you've faced challenging circumstances that have reshaped your perspective. It might look like releasing old beliefs, habits, or interpersonal relationships that once felt necessary but now contribute to negative outcomes or emotional strain. This doesn’t mean erasing the past or rushing toward forgiveness. Instead, it’s about creating space for something new, meaningful, and aligned with who you’re becoming.
The nuance: Letting go isn’t a one-time act. It unfolds gradually, often alongside a greater appreciation for the life you’re working to build.
9. You're Learning to Navigate Uncertainty
For many trauma survivors, the world can feel unpredictable and unsafe—especially after experiencing deeply stressful events. But part of personal growth is learning to sit with uncertainty, even when it’s uncomfortable. Growth sometimes looks like trusting that you can handle what comes next, even if you don't have all the answers or feel fully prepared.
The reality: You don't have to feel confident all the time to know you're capable. Learning to navigate the unknown is a powerful sign of resilience.
10. You're Finding Purpose in Your Experience
After facing a major life crisis, some people find themselves drawn to create meaning from their pain—not because the trauma had a purpose, but because they’re choosing to shape what comes next. This sense of self determination often emerges when someone begins to use their experience to help others, share their story, or show up with compassion.
This type of growth doesn’t erase the hard parts—it honors them by weaving them into a more meaningful chapter of one's life.
The gift: Your story matters. Your healing can ripple outward in ways you may not even see.
The 5 Stages of Post-Traumatic Growth
PTG doesn't happen all at once, and it doesn't look the same for everyone. Tedeschi and Calhoun describe PTG unfolding in stages. Here's Reclaim's spin on their original 5 stages:
Struggle: Experiencing the pain and disorientation that trauma brings.
Survival: Focusing on stability and coping day by day.
Reflection: Beginning to make meaning of what happened and how it's impacted you.
Rebuilding: Taking small steps to align your life with your values and needs.
Transformation: Noticing new perspectives, strengths, and a sense of possibility arising from your experience.
A gentle reminder: You don't need to move through these stages in order, and it's okay to revisit them as you grow. You’ll still get the positive psychological outcomes you were searching for.
Growth and Pain Can Coexist When Post Traumatic Growth Occurs
We want to be super clear about post-traumatic growth. Growth doesn't mean the pain disappears. It means you're allowing both pain and possibility to exist at the same time. If you don't see yourself in these signs yet, that's okay. Your recovery from trauma is as valid as anyone else's, no matter where you are.
Wherever you are on this journey, we're here to walk alongside you- to witness your strength, your struggles, and your growth.
One small step at a time, you are reclaiming yourself, your life.
And that's something worth not only honoring, but celebrating.
🧡,
Reclaim Therapy provides trauma therapy, therapy for complex PTSD and EMDR Therapy in Horsham, PA and online in Pennsylvania.
Our team of therapists are passionate about supporting people to heal from their past experiences so that they can live life free from the impact of traumatic experiences. We want you to know that healing is possible, growth is possible, and that you are deserving of a life filled with connection, trust, spaciousness, safety and choice.
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