BROKEN INSANITY

💖 Single Parent Advocate 💖 National Organization for Single Mothers (NOSM) 💖 Single Moms Planet 💖 Moms Rising   💖 Single Parent Resource Center 💖 Single Mothers Outreach   💖 Single Mothers United  💖 Single Parent Provision 💖 Single Mothers by Choice 💖 Single Parent Scholarship Fund of Northwest Arkansas 💖 The Life of a Single Mom 💖 Single Parent Advocate Foundation 💖 Single Parent Provision 💖 National Single Parent Resource Center

 Understanding Family Dysfunction: A Pervasive and Resilient Disease Family dysfunction is not merely a series of isolated incidents or temporary challenges. Rather, it is a deep-seated, persistent condition that permeates every aspect of family life. The term "disease" is apt in describing family dysfunction because it captures the systemic nature of the problem and its tendency to spread and worsen over time if left unaddressed. The pervasive nature of family dysfunction means that it affects all members of the household, often in ways that are not immediately apparent. It colors daily interactions, shapes communication patterns, and influences how family members relate to one another and the outside world. This pervasiveness is what makes the effects of growing up in a dysfunctional family so enduring, often persisting long into adulthood. The resilience of family dysfunction refers to its ability to withstand attempts at change or intervention. Dysfunctional patterns of b...

  What is Emotional Intelligence? Understanding Emotions Emotional intelligence (EQ) is the ability to understand, manage, and express emotions in a healthy and constructive way. It involves recognizing your own feelings and those of others, and using this knowledge to build strong relationships and achieve your goals. Beyond IQ While IQ (intelligence quotient) measures cognitive abilities, EQ emphasizes the importance of emotional skills. People with high EQ are often more successful in personal and professional life because they can navigate complex social situations effectively. 

Self-sabotage and shame often show up as hidden roadblocks, silently affecting progress, relationships, and self-esteem. These patterns usually stem from deeper wounds—past trauma, internalized criticism, or the fear of not being good enough. Recognizing the roots of these behaviors is the first step toward change. With awareness, it becomes possible to interrupt harmful cycles, shift negative self-talk, and begin practicing habits that support confidence, emotional resilience, and forward momentum. Learning how to replace shame with self-compassion and self-doubt with grounded positivity creates space for real, lasting growth. Understanding Self-Sabotage Self-sabotage is a complex psychological phenomenon that can significantly hinder personal growth and success. It manifests as thoughts and behaviors that prevent us from achieving our goals, often rooted in deep-seated fears, insecurities, and negative self-perceptions. Common forms of self-sabotage include procrastination, perfecti...

🔸 Original Idea: Carl Jung warned that the greatest tragedy isn’t dying, it’s never truly living . He called it “the unlived life”: when you abandon your truth, bury your real self, and settle into autopilot. Not out of laziness, but out of fear, survival, people-pleasing, or trying to be who others wanted you to be. 🧠 Modern Breakdown: 🚨 What is the "unlived life"? It’s not about doing nothing . It’s about living a life that isn’t yours . You’re out here checking boxes, keeping up appearances, doing what’s expected, but your soul never gets a say. You feel tired, anxious, disconnected… and deep down, something feels off. You don’t know what’s missing, but you know something is . 🧠 How it starts: You were told to be realistic . You were told your emotions were “too much.” You got praise for being “good,” “useful,” “put together”, so you kept playing the role. Over time, your real self-got buried under roles, expectations, trauma responses, a...

🔥 Overview Not everyone who looks “fine” is actually living. Some people walk through life completely disconnected, from themselves, from meaning, from anything real. They smile, nod, and show up, but when you look into their eyes, there’s nothing there. This lesson explores what that emptiness means, how to recognize it, and why it matters in recovery and self-awareness. 🧠 The Truth Jung Warned Us About Carl Jung believed not everyone develops a soul. Not because they’re broken, but because they never chose to grow it. Everyone has a persona ,  a social mask we wear to get through the day. It’s your work face, your “I’m fine” voice, your people-pleasing version. It’s not wrong. But when that persona becomes all someone is, there’s nothing behind it. Some people are hollow, not evil, just disconnected . They never did the inner work. Never sat in their silence. Never faced their shadows. So, what you see is a carefully crafted shell: polished, pleasant, and completely vacant. ...

  I was listening to I'll Leave A Light On For You by Papa Roach and Carrie Underwood, and my mind started spiraling. Suicide. Addiction. Overdoses. Mental disorders. Someone accidentally overdosing, not because they wanted to die, but because they just wanted to escape the pain for a little while. Then, I thought about my son coming back into my life after enough time had passed for me to finally see,  not just him, but myself. I thought about the two-year anniversary of losing the man I was crazy about, shaming myself the entire time for not understanding sooner how deeply generational trauma had controlled my entire life. Then vs. now. The addict, the crazy, the clueless, the unlovable-but-desperately-wanting-to-be-loved person I was. A hypocrite, judgmental even as an addict, thinking my sins were somehow different than someone else’s. And that got me thinking… When was the last time you looked at someone with an addiction and asked, "Hey, are you okay?" When was...

It sounds like you’re carrying an immense weight of pain, confusion, and heartache, and it's not surprising that you’re feeling overwhelmed. You’ve poured your soul into sharing your truth and your struggles, and while no words can magically fix the heartbreak you're enduring, you deserve acknowledgment, understanding, and validation for what you're feeling right now. Immediate Steps to Take Ground Yourself in the Present Moment : This story, this pain, is your current "truth," but it does not define your future. Start by taking small steps to shift from spiraling thoughts to manageable moments. Practice grounding techniques like focusing on your breathing, noticing physical sensations, or engaging in a simple, calming activity. Reach Out for Support : If you feel like life is unbearable, please consider reaching out to a trusted friend, a counselor, or a crisis hotline. In the U.S., you can call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. There are ...

 

Processing family grief means navigating the shared and individual emotional responses that arise when a family experiences a significant loss—like the death of a loved one, estrangement, or even collective trauma. It’s not just about mourning; it’s about how each person grieves in their own way while trying to stay connected as a unit. Here’s how it tends to unfold: 🧭 Navigating Different Grief Styles Some family members may cry openly, while others go silent or focus on logistics. There’s no “right” way to grieve—respecting each person’s pace and style is key. 💬 Communication & Conflict Grief can stir up old tensions or misunderstandings. Making space for honest, compassionate dialogue helps prevent isolation or resentment. 🧠 Meaning-Making Together Families often try to make sense of the loss together—through stories, rituals, or shared memories. This co-construction of meaning can deepen bonds and help each person feel seen. 🫂 Emotional Co-Regulation When o...

Processing rejection means actively working through the emotional impact of being turned away, excluded, or dismissed, whether by a person, group, opportunity, or system. It’s not just about understanding what happened but about tending to how it made you feel and what beliefs it may have stirred up. Here’s what it can involve: 🧠 Emotional Awareness Naming the emotions: hurt, anger, shame, confusion, even numbness. Noticing where those feelings show up in your body or behavior. 🪞 Self-Reflection Asking: “What story am I telling myself about this rejection?” Exploring whether that story is rooted in past experiences or internalized beliefs. 🔄 Reframing Recognizing that rejection often says more about the other person or situation than about your worth. Seeing it as redirection rather than failure, an opening for something more aligned. 🛠️ Integration Using journaling, art, or movement to express and release what’s been stirred up. Identifying what boundaries, values, or ne...

  “Poisonous Pedagogy” refers to deeply entrenched, often well-intentioned child-rearing approaches that cause harm while masquerading as discipline, structure, or tradition. 🧠 Core Meaning Poisonous Pedagogy is a term coined to describe: Parenting and educational methods rooted in control, shame, silence, and emotional suppression. A rigid family system where authority is never questioned, vulnerability is discouraged, and the child’s individual needs are often invalidated. A legacy of emotional or psychological manipulation passed from one generation to the next. Frank and Tina Davis , whose polished, rule-bound family identity masked growing emotional numbness and unresolved resentments. Sandy Dorset’s family , where authoritarianism and unprocessed trauma contributed to cycles of addiction and abuse, even though societal norms might have seen the parenting as "firm" or "disciplined." These stories reveal how toxic dynamics, often mistaken for loving conc...

  🗣️ 1. The “No” Practice Circle Goal: Practice saying “no” without guilt Setup: Partner or small group Instructions: One person makes a request (e.g., “Can you work late tonight?”). The responder practices saying “no” assertively using a calm tone and body language. Rotate roles and offer feedback on clarity and emotional tone.

  You're trying to reach a better place (peace, healing, progress). You’re struggling because you’re carrying emotional baggage, resentment, fear, control issues, self-pity, etc. Supportive people are cheering you on, but until you let go of what’s weighing you down , you can’t make it. The moment you stop trying to fix everything with brute force and drop the emotional load , everything gets easier. Once you're free, you don’t just relax, you help the next person who's drowning in their own baggage . 🧠 The Insight Growth doesn’t happen all at once. We don’t just “decide to change” and stay changed. Old habits, trauma responses, and personality traits creep back in, even after we thought we were “past that.” Self-awareness is key: If you’re stuck, flat, numb, or relapsing into old patterns, it’s probably not about others, it’s about your own resistance to change . 💣 Why W...