I've been working through complex trauma for a while now, and I recently discovered that my core wound is a mother wound — the feeling that from the very beginning, my existence wasn't a given. Not being seen by my mother, even though she was a loving person. Those two things can coexist, but it's a painful realization.
My grandmother was the one person who truly saw me — from the very start. She passed away when I was 14. Years later I had a relationship that lasted six months, and I recently realized that my ex embodied my grandmother. She saw me in the same way. Because of that, she unconsciously became my safety anchor — even though the relationship ended three years ago. I still long for her, but what I'm really longing for is what my grandmother gave me. And deeper still — what my mother couldn't give me.
I work with a coach and do brainspotting, and I notice this wound sits very deep — deeper than words can reach.
I'm curious: do more people recognize a screaming mother wound? And how are you healing it? What has helped — body work, therapy, inner child work, something else?
All experiences welcome. 🙏