Thoughts on understanding
I have invested a LOT of energy into being seen + understood by others. It has its value, as well as some pitfalls. Here’s what I’ve learned:
Wanting to feel understood does not make you ‘bad’ or ‘weak’, it’s a basic human need.
Truly understanding yourself is a fundamental step towards being truly understood by others.
Not everyone wants or cares to understand you. choose carefully where you invest your emotional + communicative energies.
Understanding yourself fulfills some of your need for being understood, which takes pressure off of your existing relationships and frees you to be more discerning about who else you seek understanding from.
Understanding isn’t always done with words. Sometimes it’s a gesture, an expression, a sound, a vibe.