The Importance of Feeling Seen

🌟Weekly Inspiration🌟

It makes sense that people yearn to feel seen, acknowledged, and accepted for who they are ⭐. I’ve been particularly struck by it lately with the young people that I work with. In our group therapies with teen girls and young adults, we organically began doing a “Show and Tell” time in group each week. Just like in Kindergarten—and it has been beautiful to observe. Each person has been able to bring in something meaningful about themselves to share with the group or teach the group about a favorite topic/interest. We’ve learned about favorite camp treasures, sharks, Wonka, art journals, lego airplanes, the 12 Steps for someone in early recovery, Manga graphic novels/art, stuffed animals, and heard a college personal statement about having ADHD. These young people lit up sharing about something meaningful or that they know a great deal about. Their eyes sparkled, even the shy ones enjoyed the spotlight, and it felt so good to them to be valued for their talents and creative pursuits.

My takeaways:

- People like being listened to and asked questions about themselves.
- People enjoy sharing about who they are and what makes them tick to people who are genuinely interested.
- It feels good to be seen and heard.
- Seeing others' amazement in our sharing increases one’s self-confidence.
- It feels like an honor to be allowed to know about someone intimately.
- There is so much to know about a person.
- It’s wonderful to learn something new or be surprised by someone.
- Young people are SO interesting if adults would slow down and pay attention.

Ask Yourself:

Do I take enough time to see the children that I have in front of me?
If they are prickly teenagers, how can I bend to them and invite their sharing?
Do I truly listen? Enough?
Do I enjoy sharing of myself?
Could I share more of myself with my precious few?
If I share of myself and it’s not acknowledged, can I find a way to speak to that?
Any small shifts I want to make?
 

Be well!