Why Being Loved Means Being Seen

I learned the true meaning of love through my friendships. 

The biggest thing I’ve learned is that in order to be seen

You must be willing to show yourself - like really

The past 2 years have met me with a lot of crushing experiences

And I made a conscious decision to not run away from or diminish that reality

The coolest things happen when you show up vulnerable and honest about your truth

People can see you

I know…

That’s actually fairly terrifying.

It absolutely can be.

Here is what that fear is saying:

Hey, kiddo. I’m here to ask you to stand out on faith that you are enough.

As is.

Because something happens when people see you

YOU can then see who is for you

And who is not

It’s this pocket that fear is pointing you to

So you can decide

Do I want to be vulnerable and seen so I can be loved for who I am?

Which also means when people show me they are unwilling or unable to see me, I have to move in a different direction. 

I don’t belong there. 

Or

Do I want to bend & mold myself in a way that I think they will accept?

Which also means when I’m alone wondering why people aren’t showing up for me in the ways I need, I’ll have to face the fact that they can’t see me & have no idea where or how to show up for me. 

I choose to follow the path asking me to know myself

The path telling me to be considered

I must also consider myself

It’s the choosing we’re misunderstanding

As if - just because I can’t get love here

Love exists nowhere else

Hear me when I say this

That will never be true

You will never walk away from love

And not be met with more - and more expansive love

As you move forward with your life

Dreams

And understanding of self

Because with your capacity and growth

Comes love’s ability to hold and grow, too

Which means is all comes back to

Consideration

How have you considered yourself today?

How have you considered others? 

Because consideration can be as simple as:

Sending a postcard to your friend because you saw it & it made you smile.

Texting your friend details about the event you’re going to and following up a few hours beforehand to make them feel comfortable because you know they have anxiety and the hardest part can sometimes be getting out of the house.

Or. It can also be understanding when you have a need, you often tend to project your fear of not getting what you need by assuming your friend hasn’t asked because they don’t care because you’re not worth it and they aren’t a good friend. So instead you go on a walk and journal in order to soothe your nervous system to understand your inner world is your work & how beautiful it is to have friends to share the ins and outs of life with. I wonder what unspoken emotions they’ve been dealing with lately. Let me ask the next time we’re together. I bet meeting each other in vulnerability will be good for both of us. 

Self-consideration is also foundational to receiving love from others. 

Love

Consider