Breaking Down Deflection as a Trauma Response: Understanding, Healing, and Finding Authenticity

Have you ever caught yourself getting defensive when someone points something out, even when they might be right? Or maybe you’ve changed the subject when things get too emotional, blaming stress or someone else’s attitude instead. That’s not because you’re broken or unaware, it’s because part of you is trying to stay safe.

This is what we call deflection, a quiet and clever trauma response that helps us dodge discomfort. It shows up as humor when we’re really hurting, irritation when we feel exposed, or blaming others when our own pain feels too heavy to face. On the surface, it feels like protection. Deep down, it’s your inner child saying, “I don’t know how to hold this yet.”

What Deflection Really Looks Like

Deflection isn’t always loud or obvious, it often hides behind habits that look “normal.” You might:

• Shift blame when you feel cornered
• Downplay your emotions or pretend you’re fine
• Avoid conversations that feel too real
• Criticize others for traits that secretly mirror your own
• Shut down emotionally or change the subject when things get close to home

Energetically, this response disconnects you from your heart and throat chakras, the centers of truth and expression. Over time, it can also dull your solar plexus (personal power) and root chakra (safety), keeping you in survival mode rather than authentic flow.

Where It Comes From

Deflection usually begins in childhood. Maybe you grew up in a home where feelings weren’t safe to express, where blame was used as control, or where love felt conditional. As a child, you learned to protect yourself by redirecting the focus, to avoid shame, rejection, or emotional pain.

But as adults, what once kept us safe can start to keep us stuck. Every time we deflect, we push away an opportunity for healing. It’s not a flaw, it’s a signal. A call from your unhealed parts saying, “I still need you to see me.”

The Energy Behind Deflection

Energetically, deflection can scatter your energy field. You might feel drained after emotional conversations or disconnected from your intuition. The upper chakras (throat and third eye) want to communicate clearly, while the lower chakras (root and sacral) crave safety and connection. Deflection cuts the flow between the two.

Healing this pattern isn’t about judgment, it’s about integration. You’re learning to be both soft and strong, to hold space for your emotions instead of running from them.

How to Heal and Reclaim Your Authentic Self

Healing deflection means meeting yourself where you are, gently and honestly.

• Notice your patterns. When you catch yourself redirecting, pause and breathe. Ask, “What am I really feeling right now?”
• Allow your emotions to exist. You don’t have to fix them, just witness them.
• Reconnect with your body. Grounding practices, breathwork, or mindful movement help you feel safe enough to face emotions.
• Practice vulnerability. Share small truths with people you trust. Each time you do, you reclaim a little more of your power.
• Work with your energy. Chakra healing and shadow work are beautiful companions here. As you balance your energy centers, you naturally strengthen your emotional awareness and resilience.

Reflective Questions for Healing

1. What situations or emotions trigger my deflection the most?
2. How does deflection protect me, and what might it be costing me?
3. What younger version of me still fears being seen or blamed?
4. How can I bring softness and curiosity to my self-awareness instead of judgment?
5. In what moments do I feel safe enough to stop deflecting and just be?

Turning Toward Yourself

Deflection might have once been your shield, but healing invites you to lay that shield down. The moment you stop running from your emotions, you start returning home to yourself, to truth, peace, and alignment.

If you’re ready to explore your energy on a deeper level, our Chakra Healing Collection was designed for you. Each of the seven journals guides you through shadow work and chakra healing practices to help you release old patterns, restore balance, and reconnect with your authentic self, one energy center at a time.