Tiny Traumas

When little things have big impacts. This book is for anyone who feels that they’re sleepwalking through life, looking for answers to challenging emotions and the practical tools to begin living the life they want. ‘How are you really feeling? A bit blah, meh or simply ‘I don’t actually know’. If this is your honest, knot-in-the-throat response, take a moment – breathe – and let me reassure you that it’s not you, it’s what’s happened to you over the years. You can’t quite put your finger on it, but somehow you just don’t feel like you’re thriving or truly participating in your own life. This is the result of a build-up of life’s scrapes, papercuts and bruises that have left you feeling simply ‘not ok’. Emotional illiteracy, microaggressions, challenging familial relationships, toxic positivity and gaslighting are some examples of what I call ‘Tiny T’ trauma – the impact of which often leads to problems such as high-functioning anxiety, languishing, perfectionism, comfort eating and sleep disturbance, to name but a few. We have been fooled into believing that ‘Tiny T’ trauma doesn’t matter. There always seem to be huge, intractable problems in the world, so we tend to overlook those small, everyday injuries that drill down to your core. This leaves us with an undercurrent of constant melancholy and niggling pinpricks of anxiety, all wrapped up in the film of other people’s Insta-perfect lives. But life doesn’t have to be experienced in this suffocating way; we owe it to ourselves to develop Awareness, Acceptance, and take Action on our Tiny T trauma, no matter how ‘small’, and to start living every day as we deserve.’

"This book will come as a real relief to many people. If you have been finding it difficult to understand why you are struggling mentally and emotionally, this book is for you." Dr Helen McCarthy, Psychologist & Author “Tiny Traumas holds the answers to the questions so many of us have locked away deep in our hearts about why we feel the way we do." Sharon Lawton, Personal Development Coach “This is a truly transformative book. Tiny Traumas helps us navigate current difficulties by returning us to the 'tiny' traumas that have created emotional scar tissue.” Gemma Malley, Author “This is THE must-read book on mental health that we all need to read.” Barbara and Allan Pease, Authors "Tiny Traumas is the book I have been looking for to recommend to absolutely anyone who feels – ‘this isn't right, but maybe I don't need professional support’. We don't all need coaching or counselling, but we may all benefit from this book!" Dr Audrey Tang, Psychologist & Author “This book is full to the brim with guidance and techniques […] encouraging the reader to develop their own self-insights and take up opportunities for reflection and discovery.” Dr Siobhain O’Riordan, Psychologist “This book […] helps us to understand some of the smallest moments which may have had the biggest impacts on our lives. Dr Meg connects the dots to make sense of our life experiences and what lies behind them.” Cath Bishop “In Tiny Traumas, Dr Meg Arroll […] provides practical ways to move through these feelings and towards the kind of life we all want to lead: authentic, meaningful and truthful. There isn’t anyone who won’t benefit from reading this ground-breaking book.” Sam Rice, Food & Lifestyle Writer "An insightful and timely guide to navigating 21st century life. Not only will this book serve those of us dealing with hidden traumas, but it’ll help those wanting to learn more about the human condition, grow up and reach our potential.” Dan Roberts, Coach

Dr Meg Arroll (PhD, CPsychol, CSci, AFBPsS, FHEA, MISCPAccred) is a chartered psychologist, scientist and author specialising in health and wellbeing. Dr Meg’s solution-focused approach gives practical tips and strategies for life’s tricky problems, that are both complex and everyday. Dr Meg is a regular contributor to national newspapers and magazines such as The Daily Mail, Metro, Psychologies and Women’s Own, Top Sante and Stylist, and features regularly on radio programmes and podcasts.