Let’s Talk About The Cringe

Healing has a funny way of bringing old memories back unannounced.

You know the moment. You’re brushing your teeth. Driving. Mind absolutely minding its business. And BOOM💥, a memory pops up and your soul leaves your body. You whisper out loud, “Why did I do that?” Or my personal favorite: “I can’t believe that was okay.“

Welcome to the cringe.

If you’re healing, congratulations—you’ve unlocked this level.

What the Cringe Actually Means(Spoiler: It’s Not Bad)

Cringe isn’t you being embarrassing. Cringe is you being evolved. You don’t cringe at things you’d still do today. You cringe because your standards, boundaries, and self-worth have all upgraded without asking your past for permission. It’s like looking at old Facebook posts from 2009🥴. Same energy.

Healing Makes You Look Back Like: “Oh…WOW.”

When you were surviving, you didn’t have time to reflect. You were busy holding it together with coffee, prayers, and emotional duct tape.

Healing slows things down, and suddenly you notice:

• How much you overexplained

• How you apologized for having needs

• How you stayed quiet to keep peace

• How you accepted crumbs and called it love

Hence…the cringe.

Let’s Be Clear: You Were Not Dumb

You were doing your best.

You didn’t tolerate things because you lacked intelligence. You tolerated them because you lacked safety, support, or self-trust at the time. That version of you was resourceful. You were trying to survive emotionally without a manual. Put some respect on the version of you that survived.

Cringe Is Awareness With a Sense of Humor

Shame says: I’m awful.

Cringe Says: Wow, growth happened.

BIG difference. Cringe is awareness tapping you on the shoulder saying, “Look how far we’ve come.”

Yes, you might laugh. Yes, you might groan. Yes, you might need to take a lap. But that reaction? That’s healing with personality.

A Gentle Reframe(Because We’re Not Beating Ourselves Up Today

Instead of: “What was wrong with me?”

Try:

• “I didn’t know then what I know now.”

• “I was learning in real time.”

• “That version of me walked so this one could rest.”

Growth doesn’t come with a glow-up montage. It comes with awkward phases, trial runs, and lessons learned the hard way.

If You’re Cringing Right Now…

Good! That means you’re not stuck. You’re not dumb. You’re not repeating the same patterns on autopilot.

You’re aware. You’re changing. You’re healing. And honestly? If you can laugh a little while reflecting, then that’s when you know you’re really moving forward.

So next time a cringe memory shows up, instead of spiraling, try saying: “Wow. Look at me growing.”

Then keep going. With boundaries. With humor. With self-love. And maybe…with less tolerance for nonsense.😌