A workaholic is someone who is deeply attached to their work, unable to mentally or emotionally detach from it. In society, we often celebrate hard work and relentless pursuit of success, but this can sometimes reflect collective trauma. For many, overworking becomes an outlet—just like substance abuse or other addictions—to escape from struggles and unresolved pain.
My Story: I’m a Workaholic
I’ve had many “aha moments” on my healing journey, uncovering triggers and patterns, yet I still find it difficult to put myself first. Like many, I have big professional dreams. Those dreams started with this blog and my book, Wild Moon Healing.
While balancing a full-time corporate job, furthering my education, and writing to build my future, I fell into the trap of taking on too much. Earlier this year, I lost sight of my self-care and gained back the weight I had previously worked hard to lose, which took a toll on my physical health.

This time, my weight gain wasn’t about emotional binge eating—I’ve learned to recognize those triggers. Instead, it was the result of working too much and neglecting my well-being. Takeout became my go-to for every meal, and self-care fell by the wayside.
And then it hit me: workaholism is another escape for me.
The Connection Between Workaholism and Trauma
Workaholism can numb emotions and sensations just like alcohol, cigarettes, or food. When unresolved trauma lives in the body, overworking becomes a way to avoid feeling the pain.
Over the years, I’ve used various outlets—alcohol, cigarettes, food—to suppress emotions. Now I see that working too much was doing the same thing.
If you overwork yourself, you may notice trauma surfacing in other ways, such as:
Taking anger out on your partner or loved ones.
Overeating or eating low-nutritional foods.
Experiencing overwhelming stress or anxiety.
Engaging in harmful workout routines or avoiding physical activity altogether.
Drinking or using substances to alter your state of mind.
This year, I began exploring healing modalities that have helped me bring unresolved trauma to the surface. Through this process, I’ve learned the importance of pausing, feeling my emotions, and grieving what needs to be released.
Healing Trauma: Modalities That Work
Healing is a journey of reconnection—mind, body, and spirit. The following modalities have been instrumental in my healing process:
Meditation: A practice that allows you to focus inward rather than “space out.” Meditation trains your mind to be more mindful and aware, helping you stay present with your emotions.
Sound Healing: This practice promotes deep relaxation. Every cell in your body vibrates at an optimal frequency, and sound healing works to normalize these vibrations at a cellular level, bringing balance and calm.
Breath Work: Manipulating the depth and rate of your breath can influence your mental, emotional, and physical state, helping you release stuck emotions and achieve a sense of calm.
These practices not only foster balance but also loosen and release trapped emotions—stored energy within the cells of your body.
Identifying a Workaholic
Do you recognize yourself in these behaviors?
You work late on purpose or take on extra shifts to avoid being home.
Work consumes your thoughts, even outside of office hours.
Your relationships suffer because of your workload.
Stress from work manifests as anger, overeating, or physical neglect.
If this sounds familiar, it’s worth exploring whether unresolved trauma is driving these patterns.
How to Heal and Reconnect
Listen to Your Body: Your body sends you messages—learn to tune in. Notice areas of tension, discomfort, or fatigue, as they often signal unresolved emotions.
Engage in Healing Practices: Incorporate meditation, sound healing, and breathwork to help release trapped emotions and raise your vibrational frequency.
Incorporate Essential Oils: The high-vibrational plants used in essential oils can support your healing practice, offering therapeutic benefits beyond their pleasant scent.
Move Your Body Mindfully: Add physical activity that aligns with your current condition. Exercise not as a punishment but as a way to honor and nurture your body.
Healing isn’t a one-size-fits-all process. It requires patience, self-compassion, and a willingness to face the feelings you’ve been avoiding.
Final Thoughts: Nurturing Yourself
As I continue my journey, I’ve realized that much of my workaholism stems from a lack of nurturing. I wasn’t mothered in the way I needed as a child, and now I’m learning to mother myself. Nurturing yourself is an essential step in healing—it’s about giving yourself the love and care you may not have received in the past.
If work has become your escape, remember that you don’t have to stay stuck in this cycle. Healing is possible, and it starts with slowing down, tuning in, and allowing yourself to feel.
You are worthy of the effort it takes to heal.
Are you a workaholic? What steps have you taken to prioritize your healing? Share your thoughts in the comments below—I’d love to hear your story.
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