Well, it’s Ancestor Appreciation Day again, observed each September 27 … a day to explore your family history, trace your ancestry, and appreciate those who came before you. It’s also an invitation to share their stories. So, with that, let’s consider what “generational trauma” really looks like: how we can carry childhood wounds into adulthood and, if we don’t face them, pass that pain to our children and future generations.

… and “remember” …

Trauma doesn’t always look like “the Big T” catastrophes we tend to picture when we hear the word. Experiences that seem small to others, such as being dismissed, unheard, or unseen, can quietly shape us and leave unprocessed emotional pain. The anger, frustration, and sadness we show over things that seem uneventful to others may be the hurt little kid inside us still trying to feel safe and “seen.” Sometimes those reactions are rooted in experiences we don’t consciously recall. Research has linked trauma with emotional and physical stress reactions; for some people, that can include anxiety, tension, or ongoing health problems. What comes out may be what’s still hurting inside, and that pain can affect our relationships, decisions, and behaviors.

So, Cat? Where do I start the often painful art of letting all these unresolved feelings go?

Well, I’ll tell you! You start by standing in front of a mirror and having the most important conversation of your life with YOU … “What’s underneath all my reactions?” By the way, remember that you’ll HAVE to feel it before you can fix it. Journal or talk to someone safe about what hurt you.