Kindred Spirits

It's amazing how you can go through life and not realise how many people you encounter have experienced trauma of some kind, have experienced similar issues or struggle with their mental health (this especially is less communicated and, in my opinion, needs to be spoken about more!); so when you meet someone and 'click' immediately because you both seem to work on the same brainwave, it can be quite freeing in a lot of ways! 

I'm sure we've all experienced this 'vibing' with someone straight away, perhaps you have a shared interest that has brought you together or it's a chance encounter, but it feels 'right'. As you get to know them, it quickly becomes apparent that your brains are very similar - this maybe in the way you view the world or the way our minds like to play tricks on us and the commentary they provide in the form of anxiety and other mental health issues. I've been lucky enough to have extremely good friends for whom I'm very grateful, and it seems most of us have a similar inner monologue. But when you meet someone who understands those other things that perhaps aren't shared, like divorced parents, shared childhood experiences or pressures that (thankfully) not everyone has, then it's like an additional part of you that is hard to talk about is unlocked, and you're able to bond over these things that you can feel so alone in. I've been lucky enough to get to know someone over the past year who is exactly this - a partner in trauma and messed up brainwaves that manifest themselves in self deprication, food issues and hyper sensitivity to others emotions, body language and facial expressions. 

Now, it was not an immediate jump into 'this is my trauma, what's yours?', our friendship grew from a shared interest that lead to deeper conversations, and just picking up on one another being very similar human beings. We're now at the point where we are able to speak freely about our worries and inner monologue that feels 'insane' or as though if it is said out loud you'll be judged a 'weirdo', but instead understanding and kinship are found and it is unbelievably freeing! Having had one of these conversations yesterday, I came out on a high and feeling as though I had been seen and understood. Yes it's sad that we are both struggling with similar issues, but there is a positive in that we can now support eachother and help show one another a kindness that can only come from true understanding.

On that note, I will finish with this; having those conversations doesn't always come easily, but when they do, as it did for me and my friend yesterday, it feels natural, organic and effortless. It also doesn't feel negative, it feels proactive, supportive and leaves you feeling unburdened and 'seen'. 

Ta ta for now!