What if the habits you struggle with most are actually attempts to help you? In this episode, I revisit a powerful way of understanding habits through the lens of Internal Family Systems and the idea of using "the most generous interpretation," a concept popularized by Dr. Becky Kennedy. When we look at our patterns this way, habits stop looking like flaws and start looking like strategies that once served a purpose.

I walk through the Internal Family Systems framework and explain how different parts of us work together to manage painful experiences. Some parts try to prevent discomfort, others step in to soothe overwhelming feelings, and still others carry the emotional burdens from past events. When these parts interact, they can create the repetitive thinking, feeling, and behavior patterns we recognize as habits.

Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://habitsonpurpose.com/214

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Anger is often seen as something to avoid or suppress, but what if I told you it's actually an emotion that can offer valuable insights? In this episode, we'll explore how to rethink your relationship with anger and use it as a powerful tool for growth and clarity.

For many of us, anger is tied to shame or the belief that it's an emotion we should hide. However, when we embrace anger as a signal rather than a problem, it can alert us to boundary breaches, compromised values, or injustices. I'll explain how shifting your perspective on anger can transform your emotional landscape and help you make decisions aligned with your core values.

Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://habitsonpurpose.com/213

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When you think of trauma, do you picture only extreme, life-threatening events? In this episode, I expand the definition of trauma and explain why many high achievers unknowingly overlook their own experiences. Trauma isn't defined only by what happened, but by how your nervous system responded when you felt overwhelmed, powerless, or alone.

I break down the difference between Big T and small t trauma and explain how stress and trauma exist on a continuum. Many of the habits we struggle with, like perfectionism, overachievement, hypervigilance, chronic worry, or emotional reactivity, may not be personality flaws but adaptive responses that once helped you cope. Understanding them with curiosity instead of judgment opens the door to healing and growth.

Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://habitsonpurpose.com/212

Join the Habits on Purpose newsletter for extra tools, prompts, and stories between episodes: https://habitsonpurpose.com/