Kari Lea

" I want to preface by emphasizing that my reflections are not meant to criticize my parents, family, church or any particular faith or belief system. As a preacher's kid, and with a mother who is literally ‘salt of the earth’,  I deeply value the teachings and connections I gained through my upbringing. However, I also recognize that the interpretation of religious doctrines by individuals can sometimes lead to feelings of shame, guilt, and a lack of agency in seeking answers. Growing up in an environment where questioning this was discouraged, I experienced firsthand how religious indoctrination and dogma shaped my self-perception and influenced the dynamics of my relationships. It's important to acknowledge the complexities of how faith can impact our sense of identity and to navigate this terrain with compassion and understanding." xoxo-Kari Lea Unraveling Religious Indoctrination What is Religious Indoctrination? Indoctrination in religion means teaching dogma an...

" I've always felt this immense pressure to always have everything under control. Whether it was at work, in my relationships, or just how I presented myself to the world, I constantly believed that showing any hint of struggle or vulnerability would make me seem weak or not good enough. This pressure I put on myself created a constant feeling of anxiety and fear that I would be seen as flawed. I got really good at crafting this image of success and happiness in everything I did. My social media feeds were carefully curated to only show the best moments of my life. But behind all those carefully posed photos, I was actually dealing with my own insecurities and battling my inner demons. The more I tried to keep up this facade, the more I felt ashamed of who I truly was. It wasn't until I started to question these behaviors and think about where they came from that I realized they were deeply ingrained in my family's way of doing things. Growing up with my dad as a preac...

"  Generational shame can sometimes feel like an invisible hand-me-down, passed on through family stories, expectations, and unspoken rules. It's like inheriting a piece of luggage filled with old narratives and hidden struggles that you didn't even pack yourself. I remember growing up, whenever one of us kids exhibited a trait that seemed too familiar (like a snappy attitude or a stubborn streak), my Aunt would quip to the nearest adult, 'Well, they didn't get it from the neighbors!' It was her humorous yet poignant reminder that our behaviors, both the good and the not-so-good, are often woven into the fabric of our family history. Embracing our inherited quirks and imperfections can be a way to unpack that generational shame and rewrite our own narrative with a touch of self-compassion and understanding. xoxo-Kari Lea Generational Patterns and Shame - Inherited beliefs about worthiness:  Generational behavior serves as a powerful lens through which we view ...

" Is it me, or do we all seem to be carrying around a bag full of shame these days? From juggling the roles of mothers, daughters, grandmothers, wives, and professionals, it's like we're all in a never-ending game of 'Shame Tetris'. – who has the energy for all of that?  For the longest time, I found it hard to be truly open about my experiences. I was held back by the fear of being judged, rejected, or letting others down. It's like I was wearing a mask to hide behind, afraid to show my real self in case it wasn't enough. But you know what? Embracing my imperfections and owning my journey, with all its highs and lows, has been a game-changer. Realizing that my story – flaws and all – is what makes me unique and authentic has lifted the weight of that fear off my shoulders. It's a liberating feeling to let go of shame and just be unapologetically me. This is what I hope for you too.  It's time to take out that trash, toss out the shame, and strut ou...