Breaking Away from Family Traditions: My Experience

Daily writing prompt

What traditions have you not kept that your parents had?

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As I drove to my in-law’s home for the weekend, I contemplated this prompt question, finding it harder than anticipated to come up with specific traditions I haven’t re-created in my adult life from living at home with my parents decades ago.

Eventually, a few things came to mind, but I tend to think of them more as habits than traditions. Needless to say, here are two that I came up with.

BUICKS

My dad always had a soft spot for Buick vehicles, and I have fond memories of the Electra 225 and the later model, the Riviera, with all its modern features and conveniences. Automatic windows and a button to raise and lower the radio antenna brought a lot of joy to our journeys.

Despite initially associating Buicks with a more traditional style, I came to appreciate their reliability. On the other hand, my older brother adored Corvettes and even went on to work with high-performance vehicles on the NASCAR circuit. As for me, I sought a balance between economy and sportiness, leading me to my current vehicle, the Nissan Rogue, which has proven to be a fantastic choice. While the allure of a pricey sports car is undeniable, I’m content with the practicality of my decision.

SMOKING &/OR DRINKING

My biggest addiction is frozen Snickers (or peanut M&Ms) to be perfectly honest. I have a sweet tooth that challenges me every day.

Fortunately, I didn’t inherit the attraction to either smoking or drinking from my father. One of my older brothers and I went so far as to hide ashtrays and destroy cigarettes after viewing the video of the woman with the hole in her throat in junior high school. Talk about trauma.

I do enjoy a pitcher of beer with pizza on a Friday night, but my sweet tooth tends to normally overshadow my drinking habits, and I tend to like cold lemonade or an occasional soda now and then rather than alcohol. Just my personal preference.

NOW IT’S YOUR TURN

What traditions have you steered clear of from your upbringing? Share a bit of your experiences with our readers with a comment. Perhaps you grew up in a family that had strong culinary traditions, but as you ventured into adulthood, you found yourself drawn to exploring and embracing different cuisines from around the world. Maybe the traditional expectations around career choices or marriage didn’t align with your personal aspirations, leading you to forge your own path. Whatever the case may be, reflecting on the traditions you’ve chosen not to follow can offer valuable insights into your own identity and the choices you’ve made along the way.