How to Make Sure Someone is “Seen”

I came across this post a while back, and even though it’s about romantic partners, I believe the recommendations apply to all kinds of relationships.

I’d even go so far as to say that they can be used in the workplace, as well as with friends and family.

3 Simple Ways To Make Your Partner Feel Truly Seen, By A Psychologist

• Saying thank you, complimenting them or merely acknowledging their efforts can brighten your partner’s day. A lot of people think that some things are obvious or understood, but they are not.

• You might think meaningful gestures mean planning an expensive date or secretly buying that one expensive bag or Lego set your partner was eyeing but never brought up. However, they can also be found in simpler and more mundane day-to-day actions. This can look like asking your partner thoughtful questions, remembering important details or paying attention to the little things that count.

• As simple as it sounds, the greatest present you can offer your partner is your complete focus. It’s not just about sharing a bed or dining together; it’s about genuinely gazing into their eyes, being with them in the moment and creating space for their thoughts and emotions.

It doesn’t sound like much. At the same time, we see so little of this in our daily interactions that it doesn’t take much to stand out as a good partner, friend, or boss. The bar is not set very high, but it does require sitting still with someone and focusing on them for that time.

How often can most of us say we do that?

Is it any wonder we have such a problem with loneliness?