Sometimes it’s easier to look at a story on the page than to look directly at our own.
When I revisited Animal Farm by George Orwell, I kept noticing something uncomfortably familiar: rules that keep changing, shifting slogans, and characters who quietly adapt to get through the day.
It reminded me of real families where:
- The rules change from one day to the next
- Someone takes on more than their share to keep the peace.
- Children learn to read the room instead of their own needs.
That’s how this first visual guide, How Animal Farm Helps Us Understand Topsy-Turvy Family Dynamics, was born:
This carousel uses simple, story-based cards to explore:
- Why do roles inside a family shift over time?
- Why do specific patterns keep repeating, even when everyone wants things to be better?
- What does all of this do to a person’s inner clarity and steadiness?
It’s especially relevant for:
- Adults who grew up with “when the rules keep changing
- Parents and caregivers who want to understand the patterns they pass on
- Educators who see these dynamics show up in the classroom
- Workplace leaders who notice familiar family roles appearing in their teams
- Therapists, coaches, and support professionals who want gentle, story-based tools
- You can scroll through this carousel and notice which roles or moments feel familiar.
You’re welcome to use any of the cards as:
- A quiet journal prompt
- A starting point for an honest conversation
- A bridge between the story on the screen and the patterns in everyday life
This carousel is part of a wider project around my book, “When the Rules Keep Changing” – a family allegory about how early adaptations become adult patterns, and what it might look like to move toward inner alignment with more compassion and less blame.