Emotional Time Travel: How to Stay Present When You Get Triggered

Have you ever had a small comment from a boss or partner hit you so hard it felt like your whole body flooded? One moment you’re an adult, and the next you feel tiny, scared, overwhelmed, or suddenly on the verge of tears.

You weren’t “overreacting.”

You were emotionally time-traveling.

Triggers act like emotional Port Keys. They yank you from the present moment straight back into an earlier version of yourself—one without power, safety, or choices. When that happens, your adult brain goes offline and younger parts take over.

This workshop is about two things: preventing emotional time travel when possible, and shortening the distance when it does happen.

We’ll explore:

• Identifying Your Port Keys
• How to spot the tones, looks, dynamics, or situations that pull you out of yourself before they blindside you.
• Anchoring Techniques
• Simple tools (including a 5-4-3-2-1 grounding variation) that cue your nervous system to safety in the present moment.
• The Return Map
• A step-by-step process to bring yourself back to now after a trigger—without collapsing into shame or self-blame.

Healing isn’t about never getting triggered.

It’s about knowing how to come home to yourself every time.

All participants will receive the workshop recording, the slide deck and a Return Map digital worksheet.

Your donation helps keep these workshops free for all by covering Meetup and Zoom costs so more people can access emotional support without barriers.