When I was 3, my brother and I loved running around the house naked.

Total freedom.
Zero shame.
Just two little streakers living their best life.

Then one weekend, my parents dropped us off at grandma’s.

We kept the tradition alive, sprinted through her living room in all our toddler glory.

She was not impressed.

“What are you doing? Put some clothes on! You should be ashamed of yourself!”

Boom.
Shame downloaded.

And just like that, joy turned into a self-consciousness program running on autopilot.

It’s wild how fast those moments stick.
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What was once innocent becomes embarrassing.
And years later, you’re still covering up.
You don’t want to play shirts and skins basketball when you’re 10 without realizing why.

We all have those moments.

Little emotional paper cuts that turn into operating systems.

And the stories they whisper?

You should be ashamed of yourself.
It’s not safe out there.
Don’t draw attention.
You don’t have a good body.
Don’t speak until spoke to.

Our programs hold us back from making connections, taking a fancy new job we’re not worthy of or developing deeper relationships.

Here’s the good news:

It’s not your fault you picked up shame while driving through life.
But you don’t have to let it drive the bus.

You can say with compassion:
“Hey shame, I see you. I get why you showed up. Thank you. But you’re not in charge today. You’re not driving the bus. I am. Go grab a juice box and take a seat in the fifth row.”

Then you can get behind the wheel and drive.
Clothed or not.
Your call.

The first thought isn’t yours.
The second one is.