What's your relationship with listening?

REAL, RAW, RELATABLE

Lately, I've been immersing myself in the art of listening, and it's been a transformative journey. I started journaling about my experiences with listening, prompted by Julia Cameron's book The Listening Path. Her insights have guided me to pay closer attention not only to the words people say but also to the deeper meanings and emotions behind them. Through my journaling, I've begun to notice patterns in my own listening habits, especially within my family dynamics.

One of the biggest revelations has been realising how often I cut people off, especially my family members. I catch myself assuming what they're going to say next or tuning out when I think I already know the gist of their message. Journaling about these moments has helped me become more aware of them. It's humbling to see how these habits can create distance in our relationships and prevent truly meaningful connections.

By consciously working on these tendencies, I'm learning to be a better listener towards the people I love, allowing them to fully express themselves without interruption. This practice has not only deepened my relationships but also enriched my understanding of those around me. It's amazing how much more you can learn about someone when you genuinely listen without jumping to conclusions or planning your response while they're still talking.

I invite you to join me on this journey of becoming a better listener. Pay attention to how you listen to others—notice when you might be cutting them off, assuming their next sentence, or tuning out. Journaling about these observations can be a powerful tool to deepen your own relationship with listening. It's a practice that has the potential to transform not only how we connect with others but also how we understand and connect with ourselves.
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