First Generation Programming Services
Welcome back, First Gens! It’s hard to believe its November already, and we’re getting very close to the holidays and the start of a new year. We know that this upcoming season can be overwhelming and stressful, so this month, we want to dive deeper into the theme of breaking cycles. This theme is a little bit of everything we have talked about so far this year.
Being a cycle breaker can be terrifying. When you’re the first to try to break a cycle, you’re stepping into uncharted territory. This is something your family has never been through, and it’s something new for you as well. Whether it’s setting boundaries, choosing therapy, or saying no when your family expects a yes, these decisions come with a weight many of us never learned how to carry.
In this episode, I remind you all that breaking cycles is brave, but it can also be heavy. We may carry guilt for resting, for choosing peace, for putting ourselves first. We’ve been conditioned to hold our family’s pain, expectations, and struggles as part of our identity. So, when we choose to do things differently, it can feel like betrayal. But breaking cycles isn’t betrayal, it’s protection. You’re protecting your peace, your future, and your legacy.
Breaking Cycles as a First Gen
What people don’t always see is how difficult this can be on a person. Healing takes a toll on your mind, body, and spirit. When you’re unlearning survival mode and hyper-independence, the feelings you’ve buried start to rise. That might look like overthinking every boundary, feeling anxious when things are calm, or wondering if you’re the problem for finally putting yourself first. You’re not. You’re just healing.
And healing isn’t something you can grind through. You have to feel it. You have to sit with the grief, the tears, the release. Processing is where the real cycle breaking begins. If you don’t feel it, you might repeat it.
Once you push through this, there is freedom. The freedom to live from choice and not feel obligated to live life the way you were told to. You can rest and not feel the guilt. As your Madrina, I am here to remind you that you are not weak for asking for help, wrong for wanting more, or selfish for choosing healing. You are planting seeds your ancestors only dreamed of. Breaking cycles is sacred work, and you are doing an amazing job!
The First Gen Madrina
If you are a University, College, Company or Organization, The First Gen Madrina offers workshops on a variety of topics (such as imposter syndrome, time management, managing burnout, building a self-care plan, etc..), custom built mentorship programs as well as customized services tailored to your needs.
In order to follow along, remember to rate, review, and subscribe to The First Gen Madrina Podcast to stay connected. Also, follow on Instagram and LinkedIn @thefirstgenmadrina and Sara Diaz, LCSW. Sara acknowledges that the term first gen can be fluid, so The First Gen Madrina is committed to supporting all first gens! This isn’t just about breaking barriers—it’s about providing unwavering support that propels individuals to embrace life’s challenges and triumphs.
Also, in case you have missed it, I recently announced a new branch of The First Gen Madrina called The Social Work Madrina. The Social Work Madrina will bring intentional support to social workers and more programming on mental health. Within TSWM, you will find The Madrina Network: A Community for Social Workers!
Our community deserves more support, guidance and resources.
Soooooo are you ready? Here are some highlights of the community!
Monthly zoom calls to discuss the successes, challenges and needs of the social work community.
Opportunity to network with fellow social workers from all over the U.S!
Monthly workshops with different social work-related themes.
Optional coaching time with me for additional support!
Stay tuned in the upcoming weeks for more information! Check out thefirstgenmadrina.com/themadrinanetwork for more information soon!
¡Hasta pronto!
