How to Be Seen

One of our most fundamental needs as humans is the need to feel seen.

Often overlooked is this truth:

If you want to feel seen, you must first see yourself.

I’ve been practicing this in various forms, experimenting with how to see myself more often.

One of my latest experiments is a “high-five challenge,” where I high-five myself in the mirror each morning.

So this is where I was this morning.

I high-fived myself in the mirror and said to my reflection

You got this. You go girl.

Then I leaned in closer. I looked into my eyes. And I heard words emerge from my mouth:

I see you
I see your courage
Your confidence
Your caring
I love you
I trust you

It’s time for the world to see you.
You are ready to be seen.

There was more. I don’t remember all I said. The words channeled through me.

The recurring theme was about seeing and loving. A refrain emerged:

I see you. I love you. I love you so very much.

It was only about 5 ish minutes. Maybe a little more.

Time stopped existing as I stood alone with the woman in the mirror who looks like me, offering her words that channeled through me.

It felt really nourishing.

More nourishing and supportive than the high-five, which felt fake and forced.

Pausing to look in the mirror, to look into my own eyes, feels like an intentional way of seeing myself.

I looked deeply.

Not a superficial high-five like you’d do to someone passing you in the hallway at a seminar, where you mindlessly high-five them while hardly glancing in their direction.

A true pausing to connect, care, and nurture.

True face time.

A moment of stillness.

A moment of being, not doing.

Looking into my own eyes. Seeing into myself.

A moment of true intimacy. Into me, see.

I see you. I see all of you. And I love you. I love you so very much.

Honoring her for all she has been, for all she has done, for all she is becoming, and for all she is unbecoming.

Seeing her.

Seeing us. Holding us.

I place my hand on her back.

I offer my support to her. To us.

We are supported here.

Nurturinga connection within myself. Integrating all the parts of me.

I see you. I love you. I love you so very much.

A moment of true self-care.

look into your eyes
see the depths of your true self
and you will be seen