Clarity Comes With Action: Moving Through Procrastination, Freeze, and Fear of Being Seen
Host Jesse Deal welcomes listeners to the Trauma Unbound Podcast, shares a safety note about potentially activating content, and invites listeners to connect via his website, email, or Instagram, including one-on-one trauma coaching. The episode focuses on clarity in everyday decision-making, especially when vulnerability and self-expression feel risky. Jesse describes procrastination and distraction as parts-driven strategies that keep him stuck in planning and future-focused rumination rather than creating (photography, guitar/music, and podcasting). He explains that clarity—one of the “eight Cs of Self”—comes through action, and identifies an internal “functional freeze” state where he appears fine externally but feels hypervigilant and shut down internally, leading to dissociation and a sense of failure. He discusses how fear of humiliation, rejection, and not fitting into others’ expectations keeps parts resistant to surrendering to the process, and emphasizes building trust with parts through small, titrated steps. Jesse gives an example of navigating external conflict in relationships by choosing connection over being right, practicing repair, and speaking honestly even without having a script, which helps parts learn that he is safe and no longer a child in danger. He closes by encouraging listeners to take risks, let go of needing everything figured out, and trust that action will bring clarity as parts settle, and invites continued contact for questions or support.
00:00 Welcome + Safety Note (Trauma Unbound Podcast Intro)
00:53 Today’s Topic: Clarity, Decisions & Vulnerability
01:15 Procrastination, Planning Loops & Creative Avoidance
03:04 Clarity Comes With Action: Working With Freeze Responses
06:17 Surrendering to the Process & Befriending Protective Parts
07:34 Functional Freeze, Dissociation & the Inner Critic Spiral
10:12 Breaking Out of the Box: Fear of Judgment & Rejection
14:26 Titration & Building Trust With Parts Through Small Steps
15:53 Real-Life Example: Conflict, Repair & Choosing Connection
17:57 Applying It to Creativity (Photo/Video) + Closing Encouragement
20:07 Final Takeaway: Take Action, Let Clarity Unfold + How to Reach Me
Email me: Jesse@traumaunboundcoaching.com
Website: https://www.traumaunboundcoaching.com
IG: @traumaunbound
