Growing Up in the 80s and 90s Broke Us a Little

Garden hose water, feral childhoods and the emotional patterns we’re still dragging around.In Episode 2 of The Carin CONFIDENTial, I’m talking about what growing up in the 80s and 90s did to a lot of us - and no, I’m not just talking about the hot hose water, feral summers, metal playground equipment, and random parties in the woods...I’m talking about the emotional stuff.The way many of us were raised by parents who didn’t talk about feelings because their parents didn’t either. The way kids were expected to be obedient, quiet and tough. The way our opinions mattered less, our emotions were inconvenient and “go to your room” was basically emotional processing.This episode is funny, nostalgic, a little unhinged and also very real. I’m unpacking how childhood experiences - from spanking and silence to mean girl dynamics and feeling unseen - can shape how we show up as adults in relationships, work and communication.If you’ve ever wondered why you people-please, stay quiet in rooms where you should speak up or feel enraged when someone tries to bully you, this one might explain a few things.🔑 Key TakeawaysGrowing up in the 80s and 90s was wild… and it left marks.Many of us were raised to suppress feelings, not process them.Childhood experiences shape adult communication patterns more than we realize.People-pleasing, silence, resentment and self-abandonment often point back to childhood experiences.If your voice didn’t feel important as a kid, that often shows up in adulthood.Familiar doesn’t always mean healthy.Conscious communication starts by noticing what triggers you and why.💬 In This Episode, I Talk About:Surviving dangerously unsupervised childhoodsGrowing up with strict discipline, spanking, silence and emotional suppressionHow middle school and high school girl dynamics leave lasting woundsWhy childhood conditioning can create adult patterns like people-pleasing and self-doubtHow disconnection from yourself impacts relationships, leadership and communicationWhat it means to choose a different response instead of reacting on autopilotWhy “what’s familiar” can keep you stuck in things that aren’t meant for you.Support the show🎤 About the PodcastThe Carin CONFIDENTial is real talk about real life and better communication.This is the podcast where I say the things out loud a lot of us have only thought privately - about self-talk, relationships, emotional patterns, people-pleasing, boundaries and what it actually takes to reconnect with yourself.🔗 Stay ConnectedWatch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@carinthecommscoach/podcasts👉 Follow me on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok: ‪@carinthecommscoach‬👉 Find me on Facebook and LinkedIn: Carin Campbell Smith 👉 Join my newsletter at theconsciouscommscoach.com👉 Interested in booking me for a speaking event or exploring one-on-one coaching? Visit my website and schedule a connection call.