Healing Generational Wounds

There is no ending or beginning of healing, but we can start somewhere. It usually feels like a heavy burden on our hearts. It's something that is passed down through the ages that you never asked for but still carry within your soul. It affects how we view the world, our relationships, and even our sense of self. Healing is possible.

In this blog, we'll explore what generational trauma is, how it manifests, and practical steps you can take to begin healing.

What is Generational Trauma?

Generational trauma refers to the emotional, mental, and even physical wounds that are passed down through families. These traumas often stem from historical events, like war, colonization, or abuse, but they can also come from family patterns like emotional neglect, substance abuse, or toxic relationships.

Trauma is not just something you experience firsthand—it can be inherited through behaviors, emotions, and even health conditions passed from generation to generation. You may find yourself reacting to life’s challenges in ways you can’t explain, but understanding generational trauma can give you clarity and control over your life.

Signs of Generational Trauma: How is it showing up in life?

• Relationship Patterns: Repeating cycles of toxic relationship dynamics that reflect issues of the past (such as mistrust, self-sabotage, and chaos)

• Negative Self-Beliefs: Believing that you are unworthy, unloveable, incapable of achieving success in life

• Overreaction to conflict or stress: Feeling anxious during minor stressful situations

• Hypervigilance: Always keep tabs on any potential threats around you.

• Depersonalization or Emotional Numbing: A coping mechanism that is an unconscious body response to feeling emotions that are often too big, or hard to process. Instead, creating a lack of interest in activities, isolation from people, and a distorted sense of time.

3 Steps to Start Healing

Acknowledge the Trauma Healing starts with awareness, and acknowledging that patterns are recognized. Take time to reflect on the patterns in your family history. What emotional wounds seem to have been passed down? It could be things like addiction, unresolved grief, or emotional neglect.

Noticing that these patterns exist and affect your life is empowering. You can also start to dive into educating yourself about generational trauma. Read books, listen to podcasts, or join supportive communities where these issues are discussed openly. Understanding how the trauma has shaped your family gives you the tools to break the cycle that's been created.

Break the cycle with Conscious Action

Once you recognize the trauma, it's time to take intentional steps to break that cycle. Here are some of the ways you can start:

• Therapy: Working with a trauma-informed therapist can help you pinpoint and process unresolved emotions. And also recognize how they affect your behavior.

• Journaling: Write about your experience and family history. Let your body and mind write freely, as it can be a powerful way to release emotion and gain clarity.

• Mindfulness Practices: Be curious about your responses or how you show up throughout the day. Do some of these mimic past generations? Guided meditations for 5-10 minutes in the morning can provide clarity throughout the rest of your day.

Practice Self-Compassion

Healing any generational trauma, or trauma in general is hard work! It's easy to get overwhelmed along the journey. Be gentle with yourself as you go. When it comes to generational trauma, remember, you're not only healing yourself, but you're healing for past and future generations. That's huge!

Practices like meditation, or self-love exercises can help to keep you grounded. Instead of criticizing yourself for how long healing is taking, celebrate the progress you've made. Take time to put self-compassion items in your calendar if you're a planner. Healing is not linear, and that's okay.

Support Resources to Help You Heal

You don't have to navigate this journey alone. There are many resources and communities dedicated to supporting individuals from generational trauma:

• Books: "The body keeps the Score" by Bessel Van Der Kolk, "The mountain is you" by Brianna Wiest

• Meditations: Sarah Blondin on Spotify, or where you stream music.

• Online Communities: Join supportive groups like ours. Head over to my Patreon - there are free and paid offerings.

• Workbooks or Guides: Shadow work guides, or journal prompts.

Healing from generational trauma may feel daunting, but every small step you take is a victory. You are breaking an entire cycle, that's a big accomplishment! By acknowledging the trauma, taking intentional action, and practicing self-compassion you can break the cycle of trauma. Create a healthier, happier future for yourself and those who come after you.

If you're ready to take this healing journey, consider joining our community of women dedicated to breaking free from generational trauma and living authentically. Together, we can support and uplift each other through this transformative process.