What “This Is Us” Taught Me About Life, Healing, and Breaking Cycles

Vulnerability in Unexpected Places

I’ve just finished series 5 of This is Us. The show should come with a warning as I don’t think I’ve made it through a single episode without crying… but in a good way. (Don’t tell me what happens in series 6 if you’ve watched it!)

It’s so much more than just a TV show- I don’t think I’ve ever watched anything quite like it. It’s a beautifully crafted exploration of storytelling, relationships, and the depths of human emotion. I love how it weaves together past and present, showing us how the events of our childhood shape the adults we become.

Helping people break negative patterns and behaviours is something I’m deeply passionate about, which is probably why this show resonates with me so much—it feels like a powerful mirror for the kind of healing and transformation I truly believe we all deserve.

Here’s why this show speaks to me on such a deep level:

Non-Linear Time and Emotional Truths

The way the show jumps between timelines is genius. It’s not just about telling a story - it’s about feeling a story. Seeing how Jack and Rebecca’s parenting choices ripple through their children’s lives decades later is a constant reminder of how our childhood experiences stay with us. But I also appreciate how the show never blames them - it’s not about pointing fingers; it’s about understanding, forgiving, and healing.

Kevin and Madison

Vulnerability in Unexpected Places

One of my favourite storylines is Kevin’s vulnerability with Madison. When he opens up about his body image struggles, it’s such a rare and refreshing portrayal of a man dealing with insecurities we usually only see associated with women. That level of honesty makes Kevin’s character so relatable. It’s a reminder that healing requires being brave enough to show people the parts of us we usually hide.

All the actresses who play the character Kate at different ages.

Healing Your Inner Teenager

Kate’s realisation that Marc, her teenage boyfriend, treated her cruelly hits hard. So many of us have relationships in our past that shaped how we see ourselves - sometimes in ways that weren’t healthy. Watching Kate reclaim her power and recognise that she deserved better feels like healing your inner teenager. It’s a reminder that we can always rewrite our narratives, no matter how old the wounds.

Randall’s Search for Belonging

Then there’s Randall’s journey of finding his biological mother’s story. Learning that he wasn’t unwanted, even at 40 years old, is a testament to how healing can come at any stage of life. Randall’s story touches on themes of racial identity, belonging, and forgiveness in ways that feel so deeply human. His story shows that the search for identity isn’t linear - it’s ongoing, layered, and always evolving.

Randall and Beth together whilst on a journey to meet his birth mum

Parenting Challenges and Growth

As a parent, I also love how This Is Us doesn’t shy away from the messy parts of parenting - and the everyday minutia. Jack and Rebecca make mistakes, like all parents do, but their love for their kids is undeniable. The show is a gentle nudge to parents everywhere: You’re not going to get everything right, but showing up with love and trying your best is what truly matters.

The original Pearson family

Dealing with loss

This Is Us handles loss and grief with a raw honesty that feels both heartbreaking and deeply comforting. Whether it’s Jack’s tragic death, Rebecca’s journey through Alzheimer’s, or Randall’s longing for the parents he never got to fully know, the show doesn’t shy away from the pain of loss. Instead, it leans into it, showing how grief evolves over time and becomes part of the fabric of who we are. It reminds us that while loss can break us open, it also creates space for connection, resilience, and love to grow in unexpected ways. I also love that because we are watching multiple timelines at once, when a character dies, they are still in the episodes- it feels like a reflection on life- people we lose are still in our memories and we think of them every day.

How This Connects to Breaking Cycles

Watching This Is Us reminds me of the work I do as a coach. So much of what we carry - the doubts, insecurities, and patterns that don’t serve us - comes from unprocessed experiences of our past. Whether it’s healing your inner child, breaking out of toxic relationships, or rewriting the stories you’ve told yourself, the show demonstrates how healing happens in layers.

The characters show us that we can start over at any time. We don’t need to stay stuck in cycles that no longer serve us. Whether it’s Kevin confronting his insecurities, Kate letting go of her teenage wounds, or Randall finding his truth later in life, This Is Us is full of lessons about the power of breaking free and finding yourself.

Why I Recommend Watching This Is Us

If you’ve never seen the show, I encourage you to give it a try. It’s like therapy disguised as television. And if you’re someone who’s ready to do the work of healing your own patterns, know that it’s never too late to start. Like the Pearson family, your journey won’t be perfect - but it will be worth it.

At the end of the day, we’ve all felt a bit like Randall, Kate, or Kevin - trying to figure out who we are, where we belong, and how to move forward. That’s what makes This Is Us so powerful. It shows us that even through the messiness of life, connection and growth are always within reach. And isn’t that what we’re all really looking for?

Have you watched it? What’s your favourite storyline?