Over the past week, a theme has been consistent in sessions and conversations: we’re projecting old identities and relationship dynamics onto those around us. I’ve had a dozen conversations about how we often don’t see people for who they truly are - we see echoes of the past layered over them.

Let’s break this down.

Our childhoods form the foundation for how we see the world. Our mothers (or mother figures) often shape how we perceive women, girls, intuition, receiving, and even the feminine - both positively and negatively. The way we experienced father figures affects how we relate to boys, men, institutions, money, support, authority, and the masculine.

If those early relationships were healthy, respectful, kind, and compassionate, we carry a clearer lens through which to view others. But if there were inevitable issues (we’re all human!), then our lens may be fogged with static - extra noise, blind spots, and distortions.

I was listening to a podcast recently, and one of the h...