Unlearning

From a young age we get instilled with ideas and ideologies that are important to our guardians. And as we grow up we learn broader perspectives from school, other people, and the media we consume. But if you grow up an a household that is very restrictive you end up falling into two main categories that I have observed. First are the ones who have a wall built around themselves by their caregivers that was built too tall to see over at a very young age which causes them to not be accepting of any new ideas, I have very much seen this in many people and it hurts to know that they can't help it. Second are the people who have been able to see other perspectives and mix those into their structure, but the foundations that have been built for them are still what were given to them from the beginning.

I fit into the second category.

Even though I have seen a lot of views and have been able to build my identity off of my near unlimited access to the internet and interactions with many, MANY different people. (which I am thankful for). The other side of me feels majorly controlled by my mothers beliefs and her friends that were the same, have really dragged me down and partially my fathers too. (But my father is making an amazing effort to change as he sees that some of what he believes is incorrect). There is still blockades in my head given to me by them that I have to unlearn and that is a hard task. Even though I know what I want to believe in I do my best to act in a way that follows that. Then I instinctually go against those values due to what has been taught to me.

Unlearning is hard because you have to work back to break it apart then use that to move forward and reform a new path. That's not all, you constantly have to go through the stages of breaking and reforming. Which is consuming but worth it as I learn to be better! And while going ahead I keep an open ear, heart, and mind to anyone or anything that is given to me because that's what this is all about. We NEED to listen to people and use our own judgement because we need to keep changing if we want to survive. Please do not be afraid to challenge your own beliefs! It doesn't hurt anyone to hear someone out!