Comments

This is so real. We all say "I'm fine" just to avoid being a burden. You explained it so beautifully - we see behaviour but not the emotions behind it. That last line about listening without judging is so powerful. Needed this today. ❤️

I really liked the distinction between being around people and actually feeling heard by them. Sometimes we don't need advice, solutions or someone trying to immediately fix whatever we're going through. We just need a person who can sit with us and let us say what we're feeling without making us feel dramatic or like a burden. The part about saying “I'm fine” because we don't know how to put our feelings into words felt especially real. Silence doesn't always mean that someone has nothing to say; sometimes it means there is too much to say and no idea where to begin. I think that's why genuine listening can be such a meaningful form of kindness. You don't always have to have the perfect words for someone. Sometimes simply making them feel safe enough to speak is already enough.