The Awareness Studio

Have you ever felt invalidated when you told someone your feelings were hurt?

You say, “That hurt my feelings.”

They dismiss it with,
“You’re overreacting.”
Or, “I didn’t mean to.”
Or, “It’s your problem, not mine.”

That hurts even more.
It can feel confusing.
And clarifying.

I once heard Marianne Williamson
share a similar experience.
Her response?
“I’m sure you did not intend to hurt me.
The problem is, you did not intend to love me.”

You did not intend to love me. Wow.

When self-worth is low, we question ourselves.
When it’s high, we notice the other person’s behavior.
And we act accordingly.

Sharing your feelings is vulnerability.
It invites closeness.
Their response either builds trust… or breaks it.

Vulnerability needs two things:
Receptivity… and safety.
Without safety, it’s not a viable relationship.
Without receptivity, you don’t get connection. You get rejection.

Sometimes this can be talked through.
Sometimes, not.
So, you have to check yourself – what are you choosing here?
Do you love yourself enough
to deal powerfully with that kind of behavior?

Follow me for more awareness.
And when you’re ready to raise your self-esteem, you know where to find me.

🧡 Patty Farinola

Visit https://theawarenessstudio.com/ to learn more about my work.