The Mood RingThe glossary
Words our grandmothers didn’t have
So many of us were carrying things nobody had words for. Here are some of those words, in plain language, with one thing you can try today.
Ambiguous lossGrieving someone who is gone and not gone.→Disenfranchised griefGrief nobody gave you permission to feel.→Intergenerational traumaPain passed down, on top of your own.→FawningKeeping the peace to stay safe.→HypervigilanceAlways on alert, even when you’re safe.→Window of toleranceThe zone where you can handle what life hands you.→Superwoman schemaThe pressure to be the strong one, always.→Emotional suppressionPushing feelings down so you can keep going.→BoundariesProtecting your peace, without controlling anyone.→ParentificationWhen a child had to be the grown-up.→RuminationReplaying the same thoughts on a loop.→BurnoutRunning on empty for too long.→Code-switchingChanging how you show up to fit in.→
This is educational, not a diagnosis or therapy. If you’re struggling, find support here. In crisis in the U.S., call or text 988.
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Our free word search, Words Our Grandmothers Didn’t Have, is in the free library.