Civil Conversation! At the Rock Concert

i was taught that trying to communicate clearly meant i wasn't paying attention, and that i was being manipulative. but? turns out? it actually only strengthens relationships and makes others comfortable with you because they know you're not bullshitting them?

for a long time i was Unwell when it came to communicating my needs- i could not, was not allowed, had to talk around them. shoutout to therapy for this thing in particular.

in general i've gotten so much better at taking action when i encounter an interpersonal problem. rather than suck it up and hope it works itself out, or fretting in silence until i break, now i just....figure out what i need? and talk to the folks involved? pretty much immediately?

idk, maybe it's just a part of continuing to learn and grow as a person, maybe it's because my brain finally finished developing (hoo boy can i feel that, some days), maybe it's the years of therapy. whatever it is, i'm really proud of my ability to handle interpersonal issues now.

deciding to take everyone at their words unless there's obvious signals otherwise has been so great for that, too. i've found that if i communicate directly and clearly, my friends will do the same. that might be the neurodivergence, but i am so glad i don't have to guess anymore if people are secretly being extremely hurt by me without speaking up. trying to read minds led to worse relationships, i am grateful to my friends for not making me do that