I am often asked about my connection to trauma. It’s a question that has led me to reflect on my personal history and the emotional legacy I inherited from my ancestors. Among the stories I share, one resonates deeply within me: my experience with the intergenerational transmission of trauma in my family. It’s a story about my roots, the inherited pain, and, most importantly, the journey toward healing.
More Than Just a Family Story
My grandparents were survivors and refugees. Their lives were marked by unimaginable hardships—war, displacement, irreparable losses, and the constant struggle to rebuild. Although I grew up in a safe and protected environment, their pain traveled through generations, seeping into my parents’ lives and, without realizing it at the time, into mine as well.
This phenomenon is what we now understand as intergenerational trauma. It is not only passed down through family narratives or learned behaviors but can also be reflected in our biology. The science of epigenetics has shown that trauma can leave imprints on our gene expression, shaping how we respond to the world and influencing the lives of future generations.
Recognizing Hidden Wounds
For many years, I felt the weight of this emotional inheritance. It manifested in my need to always be on high alert, to protect myself, to cling to control as a safety mechanism. However, I wasn’t aware of the origin of these patterns until I began my own healing journey.
It was then that I realized these behaviors were not just part of my personality but survival strategies passed down through generations. Understanding this was the first step toward transforming my relationship with trauma and embarking on a path of Post-Traumatic Growth.
The Power of Conscious Healing
Healing does not mean erasing the past or ignoring inherited pain. It means acknowledging it, giving it space, and consciously choosing how we want to relate to it. My healing journey led me back to my roots with a new perspective: instead of seeing trauma as an unavoidable burden, I learned to transform it into a source of strength and resilience.
If you have ever felt like you are carrying an emotional weight you don’t fully understand, I want to remind you that you are not alone. Healing begins with awareness and with asking yourself deep questions: What am I carrying that doesn’t belong to me? What do I need to release for myself and for those who came before me?
When we take the time to explore our emotions and memories, we are not just healing our own hearts—we are also breaking cycles of pain and building a new legacy. A legacy based on love, compassion, and growth.
Breaking Cycles and Creating a New Legacy
Healing is not about fixing what is broken—it is about embracing our wholeness, even with pain, and allowing it to guide us toward transformation. Trauma, though difficult, leaves us with valuable lessons on resilience, strength, and connection.
You have the power to break cycles and start anew. And when you do, you will discover that the journey is one of love—love for yourself, for those who came before you, and for those yet to come.
You may also be interested in: Are You Repeating or Repairing? The Key to Transforming Your Relationships
A Tool for Your Growth Journey
As part of this healing journey, I am excited to introduce a new tool: the Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG) Questionnaire. This questionnaire is designed to help you identify which stage of post-traumatic growth you are currently experiencing. It is a simple yet powerful tool that will provide you with clarity about your transformation process and help you take more conscious steps toward healing.
Remember, pain does not have to define you. You have the ability to transform your story and create a future where love and resilience become the foundation of your life and the generations to come. Healing starts with you.
If you want to learn more about intergenerational trauma, I invite you to follow me on Instagram and LinkedIn, where I share insights and useful tools.
