THE HOUSE OF FREEDOM
trauma & triumph
Freedom, I will not let you down. Freedom, I will not give you up
George Michael (1990)

You know you belong somewhere, but the old ways just don't feel the same.
When we are recovering from abuse, trauma, burnout, illness, break-ups we just want to get to the other side. We want the pain to go quicker, so the search for belonging becomes a relentless game of tag, but the way to reduce loneliness is not connection, it's something else that few are talking about.
Where is my place?
want to experience the feeling of relief
If you...
have experienced trauma, and are sometimes reactive
have the feeling of not belonging
have experienced sexual abuse, domestic violence, narcissistic abuse or family trauma and have an established professional mental health care team (psychologist, psychiatrist, psychotherapist)
sometimes experiences anger / sadness / shame / guilt
get strong feelings of rejection and want to isolate.
feel burnout, unmotivated and unclear and are sick of blaming and complaining.
The House of Freedom
YOUR BODY OF 'GROWTH' WORK
fosters a minimalist approach to personal growth / transformation and all that jazz
supports your need to go slow and sometimes fast, in revealing another layer
explores all of the effort and experiences you have contributed to your growth and transformation
acknowledges the invisible loyalties that keep you comfortably where you are.
raises your capacity for self-leadership to evaluate the trauma and triumph at the same time
1 — ORDER: Constellating The Loneliness Paradox
2 — MOTIF: Actualizing: The Greatest Grow on Earth
3 — TIME: Synchronizing: Trauma & Triumph
4 — SPACE: Attuning: Your Body of 'Growth' Work
5 — ENERGY: Finding home through Intergenerational Trauma
1
ORDER
CONSTELLATING
The Loneliness Paradox
connection in a disconnected world
There are more ways to be connected than ever before, but we are less connected. The more social media consumed the lonelier we are.
2
MOTIF
ACTUALIZING
The Greatest Grow On Earth
Honoring is the best policy
The paradigm shift needed to diffuse the trauma passed through the personal growth industry is about how we see difficult life events.
3
TIME
SYNCHRONIZING
Trauma & Triumph
experiencing the tension and relief between trauma & triumph
There is nothing good about trauma. We don't view it as a lesson or something that anyone should have to 'overcome.' You don't have to have purpose or find meaning.
4
SPACE
ATTUNING
Your Body of 'Growth' Work
your life's experiences not your achievements
Your experiences, not your achievements
5
ENERGY
ALGIZ
mobile property, protection & awareness
finding home
C.A.S.A: Intergenerational Trauma
You can end the suffering for you, the people around you and the greatest good.
1 — ORDER: Constellating The Loneliness Paradox
The Loneliness Paradox: Academic Research and Findings
Prevalence of Loneliness
Recent academic research highlights the widespread issue of loneliness, despite increased technological connectivity.
A 2018 Australian survey found that 50% of participants felt lonely at least once a week. Nearly a third rarely felt part of a group of friends, and three-quarters seldom or never had a neighbor to talk to. (University of Queensland)
A study by Lifeline reported that 60% of respondents frequently experienced loneliness. (Friends for Good)
Research shows that loneliness is more prevalent in young adults (18–24 years old) and older populations (65+ years old), suggesting that both emerging adulthood and aging bring unique social challenges. (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare)
The Loneliness Paradox
Despite having more ways to connect digitally, loneliness continues to rise.
A study on social media and loneliness found that higher social media use correlates with increased loneliness, especially when used passively rather than actively engaging in meaningful conversations. (PMC)
A meta-analysis of loneliness and technology suggests that while digital platforms provide accessibility, they do not necessarily satisfy deep emotional and social needs. (American Psychological Association)
Characteristics and Psychological Impact of Loneliness
Loneliness is associated with a range of emotional, cognitive, and behavioral effects:
Emotional Symptoms:
Social anxiety and withdrawal
Decreased self-esteem and increased negative self-perception
Increased stress and depressive symptoms (Britannica)
Cognitive & Behavioral Symptoms:
Impaired executive function and decision-making
Disrupted sleep patterns (insomnia or hypersomnia)
Heightened sensitivity to social rejection (APA)
Physical Symptoms:
Increased inflammation and weakened immune response
Greater risk of cardiovascular diseases
Higher likelihood of chronic illnesses (PMC)
Health Consequences of Loneliness
Mental Health Implications:
Loneliness significantly increases the risk of depression, anxiety, and cognitive decline. A study found that socially isolated individuals have a 50% higher risk of developing dementia. (PMC)
Physical Health Risks:
A meta-analysis found that loneliness and poor social connections increase the risk of heart disease and stroke by approximately 30%.
Chronic loneliness is associated with higher mortality rates, with health risks comparable to obesity and smoking. (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare)
Addressing Loneliness: Academic Interventions
Research from the University of Queensland suggests that targeted psychological interventions, such as group-based social programs and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), can reduce loneliness and improve social integration.
Professor Catherine Haslam argues that social disconnection is a greater risk factor for premature death than smoking, poor diet, or lack of exercise. (UQ Health & Behavioural Sciences)
Research References
Haslam, C. et al. (2021). Limiting Loneliness for a Longer Life: The Role of Social Identity and Group-Based Interventions. University of Queensland.
Holt-Lunstad, J., Smith, T. B., & Layton, J. B. (2010). Social Relationships and Mortality Risk: A Meta-Analytic Review. PLoS Medicine.
Cacioppo, J. T., & Cacioppo, S. (2018). The Growing Problem of Loneliness and Its Impact on Mental and Physical Health. American Psychologist.
Luhmann, M., & Hawkley, L. C. (2016). Age Differences in Loneliness from Late Adolescence to Oldest Old Age. Developmental Psychology.
This research highlights the urgent need to address loneliness as a public health issue, emphasizing that meaningful social engagement is essential for long-term well-being.
2 — MOTIF: Actualizing: The Greatest Grow On Earth
The Development of Wisdom: A Social-Ecological Approach
In the study The Development of Wisdom: A Social-Ecological Approach, Heidi Igarashi, PhD, Michael R. Levenson, PhD, and Carolyn M. Aldwin, PhD, examine how social environments facilitate wisdom development in response to adversity. Their research highlights that wisdom manifests in three key forms:
General Wisdom – Knowledge about life, problem-solving, and advice-giving.
Personal Wisdom – Deep self-understanding and self-awareness.
Transcendent Wisdom – A level of wisdom that moves beyond the self, eliminating self-delusion to foster compassion for others.
Their research explains that a Difficult Life Event (DLE) disrupts personal meaning, forcing individuals to reconsider their self-concept and worldview.
The Patterns of Responding to Adversity
The study categorized responses to defining life events into three key patterns:
Little or No Questioning – “I don’t belabor these things.”
26% of participants exhibited certainty, relying on logic, self-control, or acceptance to navigate challenges.
Example: Fred (id50) learned that his wife wanted a divorce and responded methodically: “Logically there’s a way to work through this and that’s the way I attacked the problems.”
Challenging Meaning – “It made me reflect back onto myself.”
64% described disruptions to their sense of competence, safety, and predictability.
Some questioned core beliefs about control, fairness, and stability in life.
Example: Sally (id32) identified as a “fixer” and “controller,” but her sister’s terminal illness challenged this: “This could not be fixed or controlled, so it was a realization.”
Janet (id40) experienced a crisis of faith: “I lost my faith in God when my husband died.”
Clarifying Meaning – “A Moment of Grace.”
10% of participants described their DLE as a gift—a moment of acute awareness and clarity.
This insight transformed previously unarticulated beliefs into a committed life philosophy.
3 —TIME: Synchronizing: Trauma & Triumph
There’s a growing body of research exploring the relationship between trauma and triumph, particularly challenging the idea that growth only happens after trauma (post-traumatic growth, or PTG). Some key perspectives in the literature include:
1. Triumph Through Trauma: Immediate Adaptation & Resilience
Resilience Theory (Bonanno, 2004; Masten, 2001): Resilience research shows that people can experience positive outcomes during adversity, not just after. This contradicts the traditional PTG model, which assumes growth follows suffering.
Cognitive Flexibility & Meaning-Making (Park & George, 2013): Some individuals reframe trauma in real-time, finding purpose while still in crisis rather than waiting for it to pass.
2. The Myth of the "Afterward" Growth Model
Somatic & Embodied Research (Van der Kolk, 2014; Levine, 2010): The body processes trauma in real time, not just retrospectively. Movement, rhythm, and sensory experiences can allow transformation through trauma instead of after.
Polyvagal Theory (Porges, 2011): Our nervous system isn’t just wired for fight/flight; it also has pathways for connection and co-regulation, meaning healing and triumph can be immediate in the right conditions.
3. Triumph as a Process, Not a Destination
Rites of Passage & Indigenous Knowledge (Turner, 1969; van Gennep, 1909): Many cultures have long understood that transformation happens within the struggle, not just as a delayed reward.
Narrative Identity Theory (McAdams, 2006): Some people integrate trauma into their identity in a way that fosters strength and purpose as it unfolds.
The idea of post-traumatic growth (PTG) suggests that individuals emerge stronger and wiser after trauma, but recent research challenges this narrative as oversimplified and, at times, harmful. While PTG is often framed as a universal psychological process, it may instead reflect a cultural expectation that pressures individuals to find meaning in suffering—even when they are still struggling (Zoellner & Maercker, 2006). Studies have also been criticized for survivorship bias, focusing on those who report growth while overlooking those who do not (Bonanno, 2004). Moreover, trauma does not need to be redeemed for it to be valid; some people heal without feeling "stronger" or "better" than before, and the process of recovery is often cyclical rather than linear (Mancini & Bonanno, 2009). The assumption that growth happens after trauma also ignores the reality that resilience and transformation can occur within the experience itself, particularly through embodied practices like movement, rhythm, and human connection (Van der Kolk, 2014). A more nuanced understanding of trauma recognizes that triumph is not a delayed reward but an ongoing, lived experience.
References:
Bonanno, G. A. (2004). Loss, trauma, and human resilience: Have we underestimated the human capacity to thrive after extremely aversive events? American Psychologist, 59(1), 20–28.
Mancini, A. D., & Bonanno, G. A. (2009). Predicting adaptation to loss and potential trauma: A 2-wave prospective study. Psychological Science, 20(7), 763–773.
Van der Kolk, B. A. (2014). The body keeps the score: Brain, mind, and body in the healing of trauma. Viking.
Zoellner, T., & Maercker, A. (2006). Posttraumatic growth in clinical psychology—A critical review and introduction of a two-component model. Clinical Psychology Review, 26(5), 626–653.
4 —SPACE: Attuning: Your Body of Growth Work
A Body of Growth Work: Your Experiences, Not Your Achievements
In the arts, a body of work is not a list of accomplishments—it is the accumulation of creative effort, exploration, and expression over time. Similarly, a body of growth work is not defined by personal achievements or milestones but by the depth of lived experience, the challenges navigated, and the ongoing engagement the full arc of a person’s growth efforts, not the curated highlights.
Traditional personal growth narratives often emphasize outcomes—breakthroughs, mastery, or success—but true growth work is measured in participation, not perfection. It unfolds through how we move through experiences, not just the conclusions we reach. Growth is not something to be proven or possessed; it is a practice, a rhythm, a process of becoming.
A body of growth work resists the cultural fixation on progress as something linear, marketable, or finalized. Instead, it embraces the messy, nonlinear reality of transformation—where healing and triumph can happen through struggle, not just after it. It shifts the focus from what has been achieved to what has been lived, learned, and embodied.
Ultimately, a body of growth work is not a personal brand or a set of polished lessons; it is the sum of one’s engagement with life itself.
5 —ENERGY: C.A.S.A — Intergenerational Trauma
Intergenerational trauma refers to the transmission of trauma across generations, where the psychological, physiological, and social effects of a traumatic event experienced by one generation impact the well-being of subsequent generations. This transmission can occur through multiple mechanisms, including epigenetic changes, altered parenting styles, social and cultural narratives, and systemic oppression.
Research in epigenetics suggests that trauma can induce biological changes that are passed down through generations, affecting stress regulation and emotional resilience (Yehuda & Bierer, 2009). Neuroscientific studies indicate that children of trauma survivors often show heightened stress responses and increased vulnerability to mental health disorders, even in the absence of direct exposure to the original trauma (McEwen & Morrison, 2013). Psychological research highlights how trauma influences caregiving patterns, attachment security, and emotional regulation in children, perpetuating cycles of distress (Kellermann, 2001). Sociological perspectives emphasize the role of historical oppression, war, forced displacement, and systemic discrimination in shaping intergenerational trauma, particularly in marginalized communities (Brave Heart, 1998).
This body of research underscores that intergenerational trauma is not solely an individual or familial issue but a complex phenomenon shaped by biological, psychological, and social factors that require holistic approaches for healing.
References:
Brave Heart, M. Y. H. (1998). The return to the sacred path: Healing the historical trauma response among the Lakota. Smith College Studies in Social Work, 68(3), 287–305.
Kellermann, N. P. (2001). Transmission of Holocaust trauma—An integrative view. Psychiatry: Interpersonal and Biological Processes, 64(3), 256–267.
McEwen, B. S., & Morrison, J. H. (2013). The brain on stress: Vulnerability and plasticity of the prefrontal cortex over the life course. Neuron, 79(1), 16–29.
Yehuda, R., & Bierer, L. M. (2009). The relevance of epigenetics to PTSD: Implications for the DSM-V. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 22(5), 427–434.
Would you like a deeper focus on a particular aspect, such as epigenetics, social structures, or healing approaches?
Ancestral Wisdom: Mobile property & Protection
Algiz (ᛉ) and Multi-Vision: Seeing, Protecting, and Connecting Across Realms
Algiz, the rune of protection and higher awareness, is both a shield and an antenna—guarding against harm while opening pathways to wisdom. In the context of multi-vision, it represents the ability to perceive beyond the immediate, to recognize patterns across time and space, and to move with both awareness and protection.
Protection in Motion – Algiz is not just a static defense; it moves with you, whether in the form of physical security (a vehicle, a traveling home) or metaphysical resilience (intuition, ancestral guidance). Multi-vision allows one to sense danger before it arrives and create sanctuary wherever needed.
Nomadic and Sacred Movement – Like the elk, Algiz symbolizes purposeful movement. Multi-vision aligns with this by integrating wisdom from past, present, and future perspectives, making every step intentional rather than reactive.
Guardianship of Space & Sovereignty – Algiz defines boundaries, essential for anything mobile—whether a business, a home, or an idea. Multi-vision ensures these boundaries remain flexible yet strong, allowing movement without losing structure or identity.