37 Comments
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Kaylen's avatar

Did you write this just for me??

Seriously though, thank you for saying this! I’ve always loved writing for the clarity it brought but used to be quite bad at articulating myself aloud. I thought if I could speak as well as I could write, then others might understand me the way I’ve learned to understand myself through my words. And I did get better at it. But as you said, somewhere the articulation has become a tool that I try to wield in a way others will receive it, rather than speaking my truth. And I’ve often abandoned myself in the process.

I often feel the most understood after I write, alone, in my journal. And maybe that’s okay!

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Susan Lock's avatar

It is Okay ❤️

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ES Vorm, PhD's avatar

Beautifully articulated, and absolutely true in my experience. The only difference is I was the one who had to do the leaving. A different dynamic, but rooted in the exact same cause. Thanks for sharing. I saved this for later and will definitely read it again.

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Madeline's avatar

"you begin to edit yourself not for truth, but for reception. and that, over time, becomes a kind of self-abandonment disguised as communication."

No wonder so much relationship advice about "communicating better" usually doesn't lead to more actual connection between partners 💔

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Flermilyxx's avatar

Totally get that feeling of "did-I-deliver-my-thoughts-properly" after many conversations. You're right, there's something special about appreciating, even inwardly, the way one can identify and articulate their feelings, despite, as you say, not feeling as thought it's connected with on an outward level. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

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Annie's avatar

As someone who is learning to articulate it’s weird when you work so hard and then it is not received, thanks for the reminder it’s personal too

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Maulina's avatar

reading this felt like these words crept out of a crevice in my soul. wonderfully put❤️

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Sandy's avatar

This was something I have often felt but never gave myself permission to accept. I just figured it was a 'me problem' either because of lack of empathy by others or that I was feeling too much. Thank you for writing this!

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Nic's avatar

Beautiful written. So thoughtfully articulate and clear. Easily one of the best pieces I’ve come across on this platform 👏🏼

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Alenka's avatar

Oh, wow… didn’t even know I needed words like these so much, thank you, thank you ❤️‍🩹

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Susan Lock's avatar

Bless you - for many reasons but, at this moment, for this wise, articulate & poignant post. Over my many years I have often made myself emotionally smaller in order to avoid the very phenomenon you describe, or to spare others the awkwardness of not knowing how to respond. Why is it so threatening/difficult to listen deeply?

I have, in several circumstances or relationships, reached the point of despair. ‘This cupboard has repeatedly shown me its lack of supplies or capacity. I won’t open it again.’

But there is, as you describe, a point to articulate expression, regardless of how it is received. We need to hear ourselves. Sometimes that comes through conversation, but I also turn more frequently to the pages of my journal. Maybe that is enough. Indeed, it often is.

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JELLYDRAGON 🔥🐲's avatar

I think that depending where you are in terms of your environment and who it is that you hang around with, being Articulate could cause you to be alienated and shunned...even in some places of work being too skilled, articulate, educated, or experienced can get you marked as a danger to the company or at times a glaring threat to your co-workers. This is incredibly sad and senseless but it's one of those cold facts of life and a crystal-clear sign that your gonna have to amputate yourself from those ppl and that abrasive environment to be truly appreciated and find good fortune.

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Rhinestone's avatar

Composure! I am a mature person, from which I view and admire your open-minded accounts. My opinion is that we learn to speak up for kin and build our potential connections in their beliefs. Those events that are not in our control, that are hurtful, or cause regrets are part of considering a change that we must give permission to ourselves to indulge in rather intently at times. No rules prodigious.

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Tabi 🌞🧸🍵's avatar

Holy shit….. This is feels as if you got your hands on an intimate journal entry of mine….. Thank you so much for this. I feel seen, understood, received; Felt.

🤍

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Eglė's avatar

Thank you so much for this 🩷🙏🌸

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L A's avatar

This is so beautiful, and resonates so deeply within me. Thank you for putting words to thoughts and feelings I haven't been able to give clarity to.

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Maureen Brooks's avatar

I felt this one deep within my soul. Thank you for expressing exactly how I feel.

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