Uncomfortable Friend
Grief is an Uncomfortable Friend. The pain can be unbearable and yet, it's often one of the few things remain after the loss of someone so special. Join me on the journey of "now what" after everything falls apart. My mission is to authentically share my story in an effort to help others feel seen, develop vocabulary around their grief, discuss finding oneself after loss, ways to feel comfort, how to establish meaning, find hope, embrace continued connection, and more. Nothing is off-limits… everyone’s path is unique. I’m honored to have you join me and look forward to your questions, comments, personal stories, and observations. Until we meet again...
Uncomfortable Friend
Generational Trauma: 7 Sneaky Ways it Can Emerge
Let's dive right into the complex topic of generational trauma - the emotional and psychological wounds that can be passed down through families over generations. I talk today about 7 basic ways that trauma forms over the course of our childhood, often without us even realizing it, and some methods for managing/stopping the cycle that work for me (when I can be present enough to use them).
Have you ever experienced...
- Your emotions being minimized - Being told your feelings are "not that big a deal" or to "get over it"
- Being told not to feel a certain way - being prohibited from expressing anger, sadness, or other "undesirable" emotions
- Someone comparing their experience to yours - "Your problems aren't as bad as mine were" or "back in my day..."
- Someone distracting or redirecting you instead of validating your emotions - Changing the subject rather than listening and acknowledging your feelings
- Expressing irritation or impatience with your emotions - Sighs, eye rolls, or blatant annoyance when you open up about how you're feeling
- Being called attention-seeking for having big emotions - Dismissing strong feelings as "drama" or you just wanting sympathy
- Your perspective being invalidated - Telling you you're "making too big a deal out of it" or that "it wasn't that bad."
Identifying these subtle patterns is the first step toward breaking free from the cycle of generational trauma. With self-awareness and compassion, we all can start to heal.
Until we meet again <3
