Seen & Heard

He said this, and she said that; these familiar stories have been expressed in my office session after session.  The content is so crucial to the storytellers. They want to share it; they have such passion for it and will the receiver to buy in.  Why? Simply put, they want to be seen and heard.  Acknowledgment is what they want in my office, but more importantly, they want that in their relationship.

We have become a culture so overscheduled and overstimulated that we rarely pay attention to the people right in front of us.  When was the last time you went to eat at a restaurant without your phone readily accessible?  Or better yet, when your dining companion heads to the bathroom, do you reach for your phone for companionship? Why?

One of the most accessible suggestions I can offer is to invest time in the people in front of you.  Eye contact and engagement in what you see and hear.  All text, social media, and calls can wait. Hearing what someone you love has to say should not. 

Melissa’s Monthly Tips

1.      Set aside nightly check-ins without interruption- think 15-30 minutes

2.      Make eye contacting when talking to your partner

3.      Think about your response- are you responding to support or to fix

4.      Say something nice about your partner; everyone enjoys positive feedback