Fight or Flight Archetype you are dismissed

Last week I made peace with my Protector/Rescuer Archetype. I thanked her for her service and dismissed her from being the main lens through which I view and interact with the world. I set the boundaries and know that it is a skill I am very good at and when she is needed I will be the one who calls upon her; not the other way around!

Now I had to come to terms with another strong Archetype that rules my Life and that is Flight or Fight. After the interaction with my parents and brother two weekends ago; I was able to watch it replay and saw not only the Protector/Rescuer but also that my first course of action when my mom called me was to "take on the Fight" which I did, but when it was all over I began thinking it was time to pack up my shit and move out of this state! Honestly I was thinking about it hard!

This began a journey into my Shadow side and I took many trips back through time watching as I got caught up in this tension deep within my own psyche! I left my marriage after 30 years of "fighting" and ran like hell!

This survival skill probably did serve me well in my marriage but like Protector/Rescuer it ruled my responses to almost all situations. I may not have actually "flown" away literally, but I sure did emotionally and mentally.

What I realize now is that I don't have to do either one of them.

But what hit me more is as a Woman I often felt I had no choice.

After years of buying into the patriarchal bullshit, I began to Fight (this in my later teen years) and Fight out loud I did; well, the best I could. Then when it got so bad with my parents I ran out of state to be with the man I would end of married to for 30 years.

What was the basic Fight or Flight? It was between my need to claim my Feminist/Goddess Self and trying to be the "good wife"; "good daughter"; "good parent...employee....church member....volunteer..." The Fight/Flight was within as much as without! I would "fight" for me and then I would "flee" back to the comfort of what society, church and parents had taught me so well.

Now, Protector/Rescuer has a companion in my personal tool box. I have dismissed Fight/Flight to take her place there in the box. There may be a time when I need to use her, but it will be up to me and I will take her out and use her appropriately.

For the most part I am learning that I am the one who controls which reaction I bring to the table; how I handle each person and situation! Now; I don't expect that every thing will be rosy and I won't fall back into old habits, but I think if it happens it will be fleeting. I already am finding myself saying, "nope...get back in that box; I don't need you today!"

This is beginning to be fun! It is exciting to address these companions on my journey and let them know they are no longer needed; that I can navigate the path without their constant services.

May your journey be filled with only the Archetypes you choose to take with you!

Namaste and Blessed be!