Heading Home For The Holidays
The Holidays look different for everybody. No matter where you’re at, let’s make the festive period a compassionate one.
December 10, 2025
As a heads up, this post discusses sexual misconduct and harassment.
By Leanne Elliott & Lily Smith
Regaining trust in ourselves & others…
There are moments in life that change how safe we feel in our own skin. Sometimes it’s something obvious: a confrontation, an unwanted touch, or an experience that crosses a boundary. Other times it’s quieter: a moment that leaves you uneasy, unsure, questioning whether what happened was okay. We know that those moments can feel pretty huge.
We don’t always have the words for it.
And when something shakes your sense of safety… in your body, in your relationships, or in your ability to trust… finding those words can feel impossible.
At mindhamok, we talk a lot about mental health, boundaries and connection. But what happens when those boundaries are broken? When something like sexual harassment, assault, or a breach of consent leaves you doubting what you know to be right? When your body remembers something your mind is trying to forget? When you start to question whether your reactions are valid, or if you should just ‘move on’?
The space between ‘I’m fine’ and ‘I’m not okay’
One of the hardest parts of recovering from harm, especially when it involves intimacy, power or control, is the silence that follows. Many of us are taught to minimise, to explain away, to keep functioning.
But healing doesn’t start with pretending. It begins with listening, to your body, your instincts and your emotions, even when they don’t make sense.
You might find yourself feeling jumpy, disconnected or suddenly anxious around certain people or places, even if you can’t explain why. Those reactions aren’t overreactions; they’re signals. Your body is trying to tell the truth.
Support is available. Whether you’re part of a university community, a workplace team, or travelling, studying, volunteering or living abroad, or simply navigating change in your everyday life: you can reach out through 24/7 mental health helplines, local wellbeing services, or cross-cultural and global mental health support for young adults. mindhamok’s prevention-first approach includes international telehealth counselling and confidential, English-speaking support wherever you are.
For tips on recognising risk, trusting your instincts and navigating new environments safely, you might also like our Streetwise blog.
Relearning trust in yourself and others
When something or someone breaks your trust, it doesn’t just affect your relationships with others; it can also shake your confidence in your own judgement. You might start doubting your perception of situations, your ability to say ‘no’, or even your sense of what feels safe.
Rebuilding trust starts with small acts of choice: deciding who you spend time with, what feels comfortable, how much you share, and when. It’s a process – and you can move slowly. Each decision helps you re-establish a connection with yourself. It’s not about rushing to forgive or forget; it’s about reclaiming your right to feel whole, even after something has left you feeling fractured.
If you’re approaching a change in your life, maybe getting ready to live, work, travel or study abroad – being emotionally prepared can play a big part in protecting your well-being. Understanding how to recognise boundaries, navigate new social norms and respond to uncomfortable situations is all part of a prevention-first approach to mental health and emotional readiness for new experiences, wherever life takes you.
Our Let’s Talk About Sex and Sexual Consent and Dating Abroad blogs explore how to communicate boundaries clearly and build healthy connections, wherever you are.
Keeping yourself safe
Feeling safe again can also mean taking practical steps to protect yourself day to day. It might be planning your route home before a night out, sharing your location with friends, or agreeing a quick check-in message when you leave somewhere late. These small habits aren’t about living in fear; they’re about reclaiming control and confidence in your surroundings.
Building safety into your routine can help rebuild trust in yourself and others too. Knowing you have plans and people who care can make it easier to relax, to go out, to enjoy life again.
If you’re interested in more on this, have a look at our Safety at Night blog, which explores practical ways to feel more secure when you’re out and about.
You don’t have to name it to start healing
Sometimes we avoid acknowledging what happened because naming it feels too heavy or too final. But healing doesn’t always start with words. Sometimes it begins with noticing: how you feel when someone stands too close, when a memory surfaces, or when you flinch at a sound you didn’t used to notice.
Those small observations are steps towards understanding.
And understanding isn’t about blaming yourself for how you reacted or didn’t react; it’s about recognising that what happened to you matters.
Our Building Resilience blog looks at how small, steady habits can help you rebuild confidence and self-trust over time.
Moving from survival to safety
Survival mode isn’t a weakness; it’s your body’s way of protecting you. But there comes a time when you deserve more than survival. You deserve peace, connection and a sense of safety that doesn’t rely on constant vigilance.
That shift doesn’t happen overnight. It starts with small, consistent moments of safety with people, in places, or within yourself. It might look like reaching out for support, setting boundaries that protect your peace, or simply allowing yourself to rest without guilt.
If any of this feels familiar, know that you’re not alone. Healing isn’t linear, and it doesn’t have to be done perfectly. What matters is that you keep choosing yourself, even in small ways.
For those who want to explore these ideas more deeply, Leanne’s new mindhamok Premium article unpacks the language around harassment, sexual misconduct, consent, and how to recognise when boundaries are being crossed.
Most importantly, remember you are not alone. mindhamok, your university wellbeing team, employer or local support group are always there to listen, guide and help you feel safe and supported, wherever you are. Through our prevention-first approach and mindhamok Premium services, we’re here to strengthen a culture of care across borders: supporting individuals to move from awareness, to action, to genuine well-being.
Put your mind in a hammock…
More To Explore
Prioritising self-care… while still showing up for others
Practical tools to help you reconnect with yourself so you can show up fully for others.
October 9, 2025