It isn’t always obvious at first.
A friend is telling you about something that happened at work. A few minutes pass before you realize you’ve simply been listening.
You haven’t been waiting for your turn to speak. You haven’t been wondering how you sound or whether you’re saying enough.
You’ve just been there.
A few days later, someone takes longer than usual to reply to a message. You notice it, then get on with your day.
Another time, someone disagrees with you. The conversation moves on. So do you.
None of these moments seem especially important. They’re easy to miss.
Then, one day, you notice they all feel strangely familiar.
There seems to be a little more room for the other person.
A little less of your attention is spent on yourself.
Connection hasn’t become effortless.
It just feels a little more natural.