At some point in life, you start to notice patterns.

Not just in your own story, but in families, relationships, friendships, and the people around you.

You realize that certain dynamics repeat themselves.

They may show up in different seasons, with different faces, dressed up in different ways…

but underneath, they feel familiar.

That light bulb moment of recognition is the start to freedom. If we choose to engage with that thought.

Because awareness gives you a choice.

You can keep engaging the cycle because it’s known. It’s what the nervous system is wired to react to.

Or you can pause long enough to ask, “Do I want this to continue?”

Some patterns don’t slowly fade with time.

They don’t soften just because we hope they will.

They require a decision.

You don’t tiptoe out of cycles like these, you have cut them.

And then you move forward, even when it’s uncomfortable.

Even when it’s lonely.

Even when it means choosing something new and unfamiliar.

Ending a pattern doesn’t mean you’re bitter or unforgiving.

It means you’re brave enough to say, even when we don’t know what the future will look like, we say, “This stops with me.” “This stops with me for the sake of my child.” “I’m breaking this cycle, I’m taking the blows so my child doesn’t have to.”

So today, if you’re seeing something clearly for the first time, a family pattern, a relationship dynamic, a friendship that keeps repeating the same pain, know this:

Seeing it is the beginning of freedom.

Choosing forward is how you keep it.

I see you, pattern. I’m choosing forward anyway.