I've decided for myself that the word "trigger" has too much derogatory charge to be used for this purpose. I now refer to these events as "reminders". In this way I can utilize the event as a reminder that I have a program to work and to not get lazy.
Hell, mowing my lawn is a reminder. Used to be my favorite beers.
Sleeping in late is a reminder. No more wake and bake on a lazy Saturday morning.
A long drive across the state can be a hell of a reminder.
For me, reminders are much more abstract than they seem to be for the average person. The typical visual reminders serve to repulse me while the more abstract reminders engender a more fond reminiscence.