Laurie's Journal

  The Cycle Ends Here: Why I’m Hitting Delete on Generational Negativity We all have them—those family heirlooms that nobody actually wants. I’m not talking about the chipped china or the dusty velvet sofa in the attic. I’m talking about the emotional inheritance : the cynicism, the "woe-is-me" outlook, and the habit of finding a storm cloud for every silver lining. In my family, negativity wasn't just a mood; it was a tradition. It was passed down like a secret recipe, seasoned with "life is hard" and "don't get your hopes up." But today, I’m hitting the delete button. The cycle stops with me. The Weight of the "Old Way" Generational negativity is a heavy coat that gets handed down from parent to child. You wear it because you watched them wear it. It sounds like: The "Waiting for the Other Shoe to Drop" Syndrome: Never fully enjoying a win because you’re convinced a disaster is right around the corner. The Critique Culture: ...

  The Ghost Behind the Door: Why "Moving On" Isn’t Enough We’ve all heard the clichés about letting go. People tell you to "turn the page," "close the chapter," or—my personal favorite—"carry the lessons, leave the baggage." But for years, that advice felt like a lie. I’d "let go" of a failed project, a bridge burned, or a version of myself I didn't like anymore, but I’d still keep a tiny key to that room in my pocket. I’d check the lock every once in a while just to make sure the ghosts were still there. Then, I had a revelation that changed everything. The Illusion of the Rearview Mirror The problem with traditional letting go is that we treat our past like a museum. We walk out of the exhibit, but we still believe the exhibit exists behind us. We assume that because we experienced it, it has a permanent residence in the universe. We think: I’ve moved on, but that mistake is still sitting back there on year 2022’s shelf. This cr...