The Surprising Truth About My Exhausting Energy—and the Unexpected Way I Learned to Recharge Without Losing Me
Instead of asking, “Am I being interesting enough?” or “Do they like me?”, I started asking, “Do they feel heard? Do they feel comfortable?” That one shift made all the difference.
I practiced pausing before responding, giving people space to share fully before jumping in. When I did speak, I made sure it added to the conversation rather than redirecting it back to myself.
Most importantly, I reminded myself that connection isn’t about performing—it’s about presence. The less pressure I put on myself to always contribute, the more natural my interactions became.
