Listening is a skill !

I understood that listening is a skill when I have been through something when I wanted to express it but I was not having the right listener.

There were complex and conflicting thoughts and I was scavenging for someone to listen. And in this journey of holding my thoughts inside, I have encountered many listeners, some were curious to know what I had to say, some listened without comprehension.

And after living in isolation with just my brain and journal to understand what I feel, I learned a lot about myself, the human brain, different ways of expressing emotions, and different types of listeners.

Moreover, many counseling sessions helped me conclude:

1. There are some listeners but they don't validate your misery.

2. There are listeners who will listen and propose solutions.

3. There are listeners who uplift you after listening to your story.

4. There are listeners who listen but don't process and they ignore.

5. There are listeners who will challenge your thoughts.

6. There are listeners who will acknowledge and empathize even if they don't have the solution.

And maybe different personalities need different types of listeners to feel the ease but at least from my personal experience, I feel when thoughts are communicated with the right listener it certainly brings us peace and helps us to surpass repetitive and conflicting thoughts.

Earlier I was a poor listener but miseries have taught me that listening is a super skill and I wish with time I hone this skill.

Thank you for listening.

- Manal Aquil