I’ve felt angry, ignored and frustrated. Now, I’m genuinely interested in the structures generating this.
One-Sided attention in interactions
We’re in conversation, I listen listen and listen some more, but when I start speaking, about my life, something that interests me, or something they ask about in the moment, suddenly they have something better to do? Or say? Then rapidly try to switch the attention back on them.
Like only my listening is valuable to them. And my expression doesn’t really matter. I’ve pointed this out multiple times, apologies come but behaviors never seem to change and every time I have to assert myself or continuously interrupt in order to be heard.
This is extremely prominent with my family, unless it concerns their interests. Now, it’s beginning to bleed into other encounters. And frequency is increasing.
Am I supposed to just remain a sponge for you?
Is me paying attention to you more valuable than me myself?
Why can’t you just actually listen to me?
I can tell it’s not boredom because there’s this underlying sense of captivation and “please, let me offer you more, more, and more about myself in our interaction” the body language, the eyes, the motormouth. I can be obviously ignoring, which I do a lot these days, but they keep going on and on, unless I outright dismiss them.
Now, there are a couple things this points to
Firstly, I used to think maybe I’m being taught patience in listening more, but this is definitely something deep reflecting from me.
Blocking people from sharing my world while still deeply desiring their attention. How are they to give me attention when I’m making it extremely hard for them to deposit?
Open up and receive, let people be captivated when you speak too.
Secondly, I don’t think I value my attention nearly enough.
Thirdly, I will have to dismiss people. Started doing this unknowingly. Just showing I’m not interested almost never works anymore. Now, I’m getting bluntly expressive about it.