Wendy Lee Jaques

When someone we care about goes quiet, or their actions feel distant or out of character, it’s natural to feel hurt or even abandoned. Relationships bring us so close to each other that any shift can feel deeply personal. But what if, instead of reacting with frustration or disappointment, we approach them with curiosity and compassion? Sometimes, silence or withdrawal isn’t about us—it’s a sign of their own struggle, a heavy season they’re carrying alone. Life brings each of us seasons where survival, healing, or simply making it through the day takes all the energy we have, leaving little left to pour into the people and connections we love most.

In those moments, it helps to remember that love doesn’t vanish just because someone doesn’t have the capacity to show it. Their withdrawal isn’t a reflection of their feelings for us but rather of the weight they’re trying to carry. If we can step back from our own feelings of neglect, we might be able to hold space for them in a way that eases their burden. Perhaps what they need most is to know we’re there, with open hearts, understanding that sometimes love means giving each other room to come and go as we heal. And if they can’t reach out, maybe they need us to trust that their silence isn’t a goodbye, just a pause in the conversation.