COMFORT IN REPLAY:

How Routine Helps Trauma Survivors Heal

Have you ever met someone who watches the same show over and over again? Or maybe they only shop at one store, eat the same breakfast every day, or stick to a strict routine?

You might wonder how they don’t get bored? For some people, especially those who’ve gone through trauma, repetition isn’t boring. It’s comforting and healing. Here’s why.

The World Doesn’t Always Feel Safe

When someone has experienced trauma—whether that’s abuse, bullying, losing someone, or any deep emotional pain, it can change how their brain sees the world. What used to feel safe or normal might suddenly feel scary or unpredictable. Imagine walking through life with your body always on high alert, like there’s a storm coming even when the skies are clear. It is exhausting.

So when a trauma survivor finds something that feels predictable, like their favorite show or a daily routine, it feels like finding shelter.

Repetition = Control

Life can be wild and full of surprises, but not all surprises are fun, especially for people who’ve had bad ones before. Doing the same thing every day or watching the same episodes over and over gives them a sense of control. They already know the ending. They know what to expect. And that’s huge for someone who’s lived through chaos.

Safe Spaces Aren’t Always Places

Sometimes a “safe space” isn’t a room or a person—it’s a familiar vibe. It’s rewatching that cartoon where nothing bad ever happens. It’s going to the same coffee shop where the staff knows your name. It’s creating a daily ritual that makes the world feel less scary.

These little habits aren’t “just habits,” they’re survival tools. They help people feel grounded, calm, and okay.

Not Lazy, Not Boring, Just Healing

We live in a world that praises constant change like new clothes, new places, or new content 24/7. But healing doesn’t always look like movement. Sometimes it looks like stillness, repetition, and quiet.

For trauma survivors, sticking to what they know isn’t about being stuck. It’s about finally finding something that doesn’t hurt.

So next time someone replays that show for the hundredth time, or refuses to switch up their routine, don’t judge. Maybe they’re not stuck at all. Maybe, just maybe, they’re healing.