Your decision to face what generations before you couldn’t is perhaps the greatest act of love you can offer those who will follow. — Nordine

This article is not about outlining racism, but rather about helping new generations overcome the burden of intergenerational anxiety. It’s about understanding the silent struggles that have been passed down through generations and breaking free from the invisible chains that hold us back. It’s a call to those who wish to reclaim their power, rediscover their identity, and live without the weight of inherited fears.

Trauma isn’t just a personal battle—it’s often an inherited one. It passes silently from one generation to the next, like an unspoken family tradition, shaping our thoughts, behaviors, and sense of self. If you’ve ever felt the weight of fear or oppression without fully understanding where it comes from, you might be carrying more than just your own burdens. You might be bearing the silent struggles of those who came before you.

As a child of North African Berbers, I carry the legacy of a people who have faced conquest, colonization, and forced assimilation. My ancestors, like the Native Americans who were stripped of their lands and cultures, and the African Americans who endured the brutal inhumanity of slavery, knew what it meant to have their identities, languages, and freedoms suppressed. Yet, like them, they also knew what it meant to resist, to rise, and to pass on a spirit of resilience that no oppressor could fully extinguish.

But trauma is not limited by geography, skin color, or culture. History has dealt harsh blows to many communities. For example, the Irish endured centuries of British colonization, forced displacement, and famine, leading to deep-rooted trauma that still echoes today. The Jewish people have faced millennia of persecution, culminating in the Holocaust—a systematic attempt to erase an entire culture. Eastern Europeans, too, suffered under oppressive regimes, from the Russian serfs of the 19th century to those crushed by Soviet totalitarianism in the 20th century. Even the white working-class families of early industrial Europe and America faced harsh labor conditions, dangerous work environments, and the psychological toll of child labor during the Industrial Revolution. The Japanese endured internment camps in the United States during World War II, while the Chinese faced exclusion laws and violent anti-immigrant sentiments. Indigenous Australians were systematically removed from their lands and separated from their families, resulting in the trauma of the Stolen Generations. These histories, too, have left deep emotional scars that are often passed down through generations.

1. Recognize the Weight You’re Carrying

The first step to breaking free from intergenerational trauma is recognizing that it exists. It’s not just about the struggles you face today—it’s about the deep-rooted fears, limiting beliefs, and emotional wounds that have been passed down through generations. This weight can manifest as chronic worry, self-doubt, or a constant sense of being held back.

Consider the Native Americans, whose ancestral lands were seized, their cultures erased, and their families torn apart by forced relocations. They carry the trauma of broken treaties and cultural genocide. African Americans carry the scars of slavery, systemic racism, and generations of brutal oppression. My Berber ancestors endured centuries of colonization, their language suppressed, their traditions threatened. Similarly, Jewish families still carry the weight of the Holocaust, and the descendants of Irish immigrants often bear the echoes of famine, poverty, and forced migration. Eastern Europeans remember the harsh repression of Soviet rule, while descendants of white working-class families may carry the psychological scars of economic exploitation and dangerous working conditions. Japanese Americans still feel the echoes of internment, while Chinese immigrants bear the weight of exclusion and discrimination. Indigenous Australians live with the trauma of their children being forcibly removed, their cultures suppressed, and their identities stripped. This collective trauma leaves a lasting imprint, a silent inheritance passed down through generations.

Tip: Take a moment to reflect on your family’s history. Were there patterns of oppression, loss, or forced silence that might have shaped your worldview? Understanding this context can help you break the cycle.

Call to Action: Write down three fears or anxieties that you believe may not be entirely your own. Identify where they might have come from and commit to breaking the chain by consciously choosing a different response.

2. Rewrite the Script of Your Life

Trauma often comes from the stories we inherit. If those stories are based on generations of survival, oppression, or erasure, it’s time for a rewrite. You have the power to change the narrative of your life, to break free from the expectations, doubts, and fears that others may have projected onto you.

The African American community has redefined its narrative through music, art, literature, and civil rights movements. Native Americans have reclaimed their cultural identities, reviving languages and traditions that were nearly lost. My Berber people continue to celebrate their ancient customs, refusing to be erased despite centuries of pressure to assimilate. Jewish communities around the world have rebuilt their lives after unspeakable horrors, refusing to be defined by the hatred they endured. The Irish, too, have transformed their history of oppression into a vibrant, global culture celebrated worldwide. Eastern Europeans have risen from the ashes of oppressive regimes to build new, thriving democracies. Japanese Americans have reclaimed their dignity after the shameful era of internment, and Chinese communities have flourished despite exclusion and discrimination. Indigenous Australians have begun the long process of healing, reconnecting with their cultural roots, and reclaiming their identities. Even the descendants of early industrial workers have found pride in their ancestors’ resilience, turning hardship into a powerful work ethic and cultural pride. This is the power of rewriting your story.

Tip: Challenge the negative beliefs you’ve inherited. Replace them with empowering affirmations that reflect who you truly are and who you aspire to become. For every limiting belief, create a liberating one.

Call to Action: Choose one limiting belief you’ve inherited and rewrite it today. Instead of “I must stay silent to stay safe,” try “My voice is powerful, and my story deserves to be heard.” Repeat this affirmation daily until it becomes your new truth.

Breaking free from intergenerational trauma is not just a personal journey—it’s a generational act of courage. By choosing to face your fears, rewrite your story, and live with intention, you are not just changing your life—you are changing the course of your family’s history.

For more inspiration, practical tips, and powerful stories that fuel your journey to a limitless life, tune in to the No-Limits Life podcast—available on all major podcast platforms. Become the champion of your own story.