Terrible role models

We have some terrible communication role models, be it our parents, teachers, coaches, or the media we were raised on.

We mostly learn to communicate by being denied our own experiences by those who love us.

“Oh, it’s nothing…”

“What’s the matter with you?”

“If you loved Mommy, you would finish your dinner.”

Why does this happen? Because they themselves are denying their own emotions.

“Why are you crying, Mom?

“Oh, it’s nothing, don’t worry.”

Nothing, indeed.

“Grandma doesn’t like dad. What does she have against him?”

If we don’t try to find the basic principles of healthy communication, we’ll spend our lives being conditioned to believe that authenticity, vulnerability, and intimacy are painful.