“Adults who were hurt as children inevitably exhibit a peculiar strength, a profound inner wisdom, and a remarkable creativity and insight. Deep within them – just beneath the wound – lies a profound spiritual vitality, a quiet knowing, a way of perceiving what is beautiful, right, and true. Since their early experiences were so dark and painful, they have spent much of their lives in search of the gentleness, love, and peace they have only imagined in the privacy of their own hearts.” – Wayne Muller
Is Blood Really Thicker Than Water?
There is a rather popular saying that states that blood is thicker than water, while true in theory it is a rather tragic mindset to have. Family is tricky. There can be so much love, shared DNA, and memories. But all this combined can’t always raise above in an unhealthy environment.
Family should not mean a constant sacrifice to your mental health or wellbeing. It should not mean depleting who you are for someone you don’t want to be. Family is a beautiful thing. But for too many of us, family means a cycle of unresolved generational trauma. This trauma causes a tremendous amount of pain and confusion.
How To Be Brave
It is scary to try and separate yourself from those cycles. To break the thing that caused you to break, to create distance between yourself and the toxic so you can become healthy. It’s a brave thing to do. Choosing yourself over people you are taught your entire life to put above everything else.
There is often a wake-up call that occurs when you realize that what you experienced was not okay. You peel away the layers and try to discover who you are. Who you want to be. Plus what you need to do to get there.
Conclusion
Choosing your emotional and sometimes physical wellbeing instead of caving to what is expected of you or what has become normal. We need to release the stigma and welcome the healing. Family hurts sometimes, and you need to protect your peace at all costs.