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If a woman desires, however, to retain all her instincts…

“If a woman desires, however, to retain all her instincts and abilities to move freely within her psyche, she can reveal her secret or secrets to one trustworthy human being, and recount them as many times as necessary. A wound is usually not disinfected once and then forgotten, but is tended to…” quote by Clarissa Pinkola Estés
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““If a woman desires, however, to retain all her instincts and abilities to move freely within her psyche, she can reveal her secret or secrets to one trustworthy human being, and recount them as many times as necessary. A wound is usually not disinfected once and then forgotten, but is tended to and washed several times while it heals.””

Clarissa Pinkola Estés

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

To heal, one must repeatedly share and process deep wounds with a trusted person, rather than suppressing them.

In simple terms: Healing needs honest sharing with trust.

Key Takeaway

Seek a trusted confidant and revisit your pain.

Themes

healing trust psychology

Mood

reflective hopeful

Type

advice psychological

When to use this quote

  • therapy sessions
  • close friendships
  • support groups
  • personal journaling

Key Concepts

trauma processing self‑compassion

Questions to Reflect On

  • Who can you trust to hold your story?
  • How often should you revisit a wound?
A Different Perspective

Repeated sharing may re‑traumatize if not balanced with self‑care.

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