Ever catch yourself thinking, "Why does this always happen to me?" or feeling like life is happening to you, not with you? In this episode of Beyond Survival: A Pathway to Peace, Naomi unpacks what victim mentality really is, how it often grows out of trauma, and why it can quietly keep you stuck in cycles of blame, resentment, and helplessness. You'll learn how to tell the difference between trauma responses (your nervous system trying to protect you) and a victim mindset (a learned way of thinking and feeling about your life).

Naomi shares parts of her own story, plus Sarah's transformation from blaming her partner in every argument to owning her defensiveness and creating a safer, more connected relationship. You'll explore behavioral, emotional, cognitive, and relational signs of victim mentality, then walk through practical tools to shift into a survivor mindset: stepping-stone thoughts (why big affirmations don't work and what to do instead), thought records, gratitude and strength inventories, body-based practices, and self-compassion.

This episode is for you if you're tired of feeling powerless and are ready to gently reclaim your agency—without denying your pain, minimizing your trauma, or forcing "good vibes only." You'll leave with concrete, trauma-informed practices to start moving from victimhood to surviving, and eventually, to thriving.