“Some twenty years ago, I purposefully began a journey to understand the world into which I was born. I began by reading the works of C.S. Lewis, Iain McGilchrist, A.W. Tozer, Jordan Peterson, Thomas Merton, and others. I learned to enjoy the creative work of journaling and the art of photography…and engaging in fellowship with brilliant minds exploring the culture we inhabit, allowing the necessary shifts to understand what is happening to the human race. I decided to post the content I had been writing in my journals to a blog site, to establish a digital record of my journey. I generally will say that I am writing for myself, adding to my worldview as I go, but if what I am sharing is helpful for someone to make sense of their life, we are all the better for it.”
Charles

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Charles Hoffman 8/10/26 Charles Hoffman 8/10/26

Drama of the Modern (Toxic) Family

One of the most obvious signs that I’m seeing in toxic family dynamics is how draining communication becomes for me. I’ve realized there are no perfect words that will suddenly make everything clear to them, no explanations that will turn a manipulative person into someone fair. In these situations, I often find myself over-explaining, trying to prove my feelings are real, justify my pain, or show that my experience matters. But instead of being truly heard, I end up stuck in endless circular conversations where my words are twisted, dismissed, or weaponized against me. It leaves me more exhausted and worn down than ever. The harder I try to make them understand, the more drained I feel.