Coping vs. Healing: Why Just "Getting By" Isn't Enough

Have you ever felt like you’re simply surviving, holding things together without truly healing? 

It's a trap that many of us fall into without even realising it. We become experts in coping, but coping isn’t healing.

In my latest Lesley Logic video, I talk about how trauma survivors learn to cope — often invisibly. We stay functional, we say “I’m fine,” and we push through, thinking we’re making progress. But here’s the thing: coping is a survival mode. It helps us get through the day, but it doesn’t address the root causes of what’s really holding us back.

Why Coping is Not Enough

Coping is something trauma survivors do exceptionally well. It’s a way of managing without having to face the deeper issues. It can look like getting through the day, staying productive at work, or even keeping up appearances in social situations. It might feel like you're doing well, but underneath it all, there’s still that weight, that unease, that discomfort.

Coping is like putting a Band-Aid on a deep wound. It might help for a while, but the wound is still there, festering beneath the surface. And as time goes on, the emotional toll it takes starts to show in other ways: burnout, stress, anxiety, or even physical symptoms like sleep disturbances or digestive issues.

The Real Shift: Moving From Coping to Healing

Healing is the next step — and it’s a process that requires you to confront the very things you’ve been coping with. It’s about doing the work to resolve what’s been left unchecked in your emotional world.

Here’s the truth: coping is holding it together without ever addressing the deeper cause of your emotional struggles. But healing? Healing is about addressing the root cause and allowing your mind, body, and spirit to truly reset.

Healing means learning to process emotions instead of pushing them down.

Healing means choosing to release what's been holding you back, not just pushing through it.

Healing means facing the pain with the intention of transforming it into power.

How to Shift From Coping to Healing

If you're ready to move from surviving to thriving, here are a few strategies that can help you begin the healing process:

1. Acknowledge the Pain – The first step is acknowledging the emotions you’ve been avoiding. This might feel uncomfortable, but it's necessary. Healing begins when you can be honest with yourself about what you're feeling.
2. Create Emotional Safety – Safety is key to healing. You need to feel secure enough to let go of the survival mode. Whether it’s through hypnotherapy, therapy, or self-reflection, find ways to create emotional space where healing can begin.
3. Reframe Your Thinking – A big part of healing is shifting your mindset. Instead of telling yourself you need to cope, start telling yourself that you are capable of healing. You can overcome the pain and create a new, empowered narrative for yourself.
4. Take Empowered Action – Healing doesn’t just happen on its own. It requires you to take intentional, empowered actions toward your emotional wellbeing. This might include setting boundaries, seeking support, or making small changes in your daily life that foster growth and self-care.
5. Be Gentle With Yourself – Healing isn’t linear. Some days will feel easier than others, and that’s okay. Be compassionate with yourself as you move through the process.

Helpful Tip: How to Start Shifting from Coping to Healing

A great first step toward shifting from coping to healing is to start noticing when you’re in "survival mode." Here's a simple exercise to try:

The “Pause and Reflect” Technique:

1. Pause – When you feel yourself going into “coping” mode (for example, brushing off your feelings, pushing through stress, or saying "I'm fine" when you're not), stop for a moment. Literally take a deep breath and give yourself permission to pause.
2. Reflect – Ask yourself, “What am I really feeling right now?” Is it anxiety? Sadness? Frustration? Write it down if you can. The goal here is to simply acknowledge the emotion, without judgment.
3. Respond with Compassion – Once you've acknowledged the feeling, give yourself permission to respond with compassion. Instead of brushing it off, ask, "What can I do to nurture this feeling?" Perhaps it’s taking a break, talking to someone you trust, or giving yourself space to just sit with the emotion for a while.

This small moment of pause can help you move from coping to healing by allowing you to truly address the emotion rather than push it down. Over time, this simple exercise can create a powerful shift in how you handle your emotional wellbeing.

Watch the Video

If you haven’t already, be sure to watch my Lesley Logic #3 video where I dive deeper into these insights. It’s a quick watch, but packed with valuable information to help you break free from coping and move into true healing.

Conclusion: Why Healing Matters

Surviving is not the same as living. If you’ve been stuck in a cycle of coping, it’s time to step into healing. It might be uncomfortable at first, but it’s the only way to truly free yourself from the emotional baggage you’ve been carrying. And remember, you don’t have to do it alone — there’s help available through hypnotherapy, coaching, and other healing modalities that can guide you toward lasting change.

Are you ready to stop coping and start healing? Let’s talk.

Next Steps:

• Feel free to check out the Lesley Logic video for more insight into this topic.
• Consider booking a FREE consultation with me to discuss whats going on for you and get you a plan to help you move past the coping phase and begin the healing journey.